We want you to know about activities that will affect your business. By law, water customers are required to take precautions wherever their internal plumbing creates a situation in which the drinking water supply is connected to a potential contaminant.

Here’s the danger with such plumbing “cross connections”: If the water system should experience a loss of pressure, the contaminant could flow back into the internal plumbing system, or even into the water mains that carry drinking water to other customers.

Cross connections can be as simple as a faucet connected to a hose lying in a bucket of dirty water. Or, as complicated as a water pipe connected to a boiler that’s treated with chemicals. The law requires installation of backflow prevention devices wherever a cross connection exists on customers’ internal plumbing systems.

Under the law, it’s the customer’s responsibility to install and maintain backflow prevention devices. And, it’s the water utility’s responsibility to make sure its customers comply with these requirements.

Many of our customers are already familiar with cross connection control principles under the Michigan Unified Plumbing Code of 2000. These customers may already have an active program to install, test, and, where needed, repair backflow prevention devices. For others, modifications in building plumbing may be necessary.

Over the next several months, the first 500 of the BWL’s 7,000 commercial and industrial water customers will be contacted by a Board of Water & Light representative to arrange for an inspection of their facility. The inspection will look for potential cross connections and evaluate the need to install protection. Eventually, inspections will include all our commercial and industrial water customers.

We’ve hired Backflow Solutions Inc. to conduct the initial round of inspections. They’ll work with the customer to make sure the inspection takes place during normal and reasonable business hours. The customer will be told if corrective action is needed and, if so, the type of backflow prevention device that will meet the requirement.

Our program will also include follow-up notices to ensure that backflow prevention devices are tested on a regular basis. Devices must be tested anywhere from annually, for high hazard areas, to every five years for connections that pose a low hazard. We’ll provide you with a list of certified testers who are qualified to test these devices.

We look forward to working with you to ensure that your business is safe from potentially dangerous cross connections.

Questions about cross connections or backflow prevention? Call BWL Water Quality Administrator Bill Maier at 702-6813, or Water Delivery Engineer Bill Beauchaine at 702-6800.

Trimming and removing trees around power lines is one way we’re working to provide you with safe and reliable electricity.

Falling or swaying tree limbs are the biggest single cause of power outages. It’s not just a matter of convenience, either. A power line rubbing against a tree limb is a serious safety hazard for anyone who comes into contact with that tree.

Our tree maintenance workers are professionals who follow accepted tree-trimming practices. Keeping our lines clear from tree limbs and other obstacles is a full-time challenge, and we depend on you to support our efforts.

The BWL will notify you when maintenance work is planned in your neighborhood or along your property line. We’ll try to reach you personally, but if you’re not home, we’ll leave a tag on your door, letting you know we’re working in your neighborhood.

Now in its fourth year, the Energy Star® Change a Light, Change the World campaign is an annual challenge to switch to lighting products that have earned the Energy Star as a way to save energy, money, and protect the environment.

The average home has about 30 light fixtures. By replacing the five most frequently used light bulbs with models that have earned the Energy Star, consumers can save more than $60 a year in energy costs.

Light bulbs and fixtures that have earned the Energy Star last six to ten times longer than standard products, and feature advanced design, style, convenience, efficiency and environmental benefits.

For more about Energy Star’s Change a Light, Change the World campaign, click here. Or, call Urban Options at 337-0422.

Most of us take food for granted. We have plenty and never worry about our next meal.

Unfortunately, many families in our community do not have such a luxury. In 2002, the Greater Lansing Food Bank served 17,259 families (52,370 people). Half of those receiving food were children. As the economy struggles to recover, more adults and children are in need of food this year.

The Food Bank urges you to make a contribution. A gift of $53 will feed a family of four for six days. Your generous support will make a difference in our community.

There are easy ways to participate. To donate on-line, click here, or send your donation to Greater Lansing Food Bank, c/o Bank One, P.O. Box 11065, Lansing, MI 48901-1065.

Lansing’s Silver Bells in the City celebration ushers in the holiday season in our community again this year.

The November 21 event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and features an Electric Light Parade on Washington Square, stepping off at 6:10 p.m. The parade is immediately followed by the lighting of the official Michigan Holiday Tree and (weather permitting), a spectacular fireworks display over the State Capitol.

Your Board of Water & Light is proud to be a signature sponsor of this free community event.