Join us June 13 for the

BWL Chili Cook-off!

Pregnant? Young kids at home? You're a priority for lead line

I found a tag on my front door from the Board of Water & Light. It said you are going to trim trees in my neighborhood. What if I don’t want my trees trimmed?         -- D. W., Lansing

The Lansing Board of Water & Light does have the legal right to trim trees that are in the public right-of-way. However, the more important question is: WHY do we trim trees?

The answer is simple. We want to keep the electricity on in our customers’ homes and businesses. Trees and tree limbs falling on power lines is one of the major reasons for electrical outages. It’s interesting to note that the 2003 blackout, which knocked out power to millions of people, was caused, in part, because trees were not adequately trimmed away from power lines.

We understand that trees are highly prized by property owners. Frankly, many of us develop emotional connections to trees because of their aesthetic qualities, their impact on property values and their positive impact on the environment. The BWL actually gives away hundreds of trees each year, along with brochures about how to plant a tree and nurture it as begins its new life.

Unfortunately, many of us are paying for past mistakes. Too often, trees are planted under or near power lines. People might think the tree is planted well away from power lines and power poles. Ten to 20 years later, that tree may be on a slow-moving “collision course” with a power line.

That’s where utility companies, including the BWL, must step in. We follow nationally recognized standards for tree-trimming, which includes the minimal amount of space to leave between a tree limb and a power line.

The result is greater reliability of electric service – something our customers expect and deserve.

Presently, the BWL is trimming trees in parts of south Lansing, bordered by these streets: Mt. Hope Avenue on the north, Washington Avenue on the east, Jolly Road on the south and Waverly Road on the west. 

If you have further questions about tree-trimming, please call this number: (517) 702-6552.

Do you have a question for BWL Q CORNER?

  E-MAIL: mailto:mdn@lbwl.com

    FAX:  (517) 702-6855

   MAIL:  Lansing Board of Water & Light

          Communications Department

          1232 Haco Dr., P.O. Box 13007

          Lansing MI 48901.

replacement

     The Lansing Board of Water & Light is nearing the halfway point in replacing all 13,000 lead service lines that deliver drinking water to its customers.

     While the risk to BWL customers is minimal, our utility is nonetheless committed to replacing every lead service line by 2015. In fact, we are ahead of schedule.

            A special note to women who are pregnant and for homes with children age 6 or under:

            The BWL makes your home a priority.

            If you are in this priority category, please call our Customer Service Department at (517) 702-6006, and ask to be put on the priority list. Your home will be scheduled for lead service line replacement ahead of other homes and businesses not in this priority category.

            Other things to note:

■         Nationwide, experts agree that the biggest threat of lead poisoning comes from lead paint and lead dust, not water-borne lead particles. Lead in water can also come from a home’s internal plumbing where lead solder is used to hold copper pipes together.

■         Flushing water lines is the simplest, most effective thing a BWL customer can do. If a customer doesn’t have a filter on a faucet and wants to use the water for drinking or cooking, RUN THE WATER AT THE TAP FOR SEVEN (7) MINUTES IF THE WATER HAS BEEN STAGNANT FOR SIX OR MORE HOURS. This flushing ensures the customer will get fresh water from the water main.

■         The BWL continues to offer free analysis of drinking water to all customers with full lead service lines and is currently taking names of customers with lead service lines who would like to have their water tested during this summer’s testing.  Call (517) 702-6006. Others can have their water tested for $20 through the Ingham County Health Department.

 

A GIFT FOR GRADS - BWL GIFT CERTIFICATES
 

         Money is a common gift for high school and college graduates. But if your grad is staying in the Lansing area, consider the next best thing to cash – a BWL Gift Certificate!

       The gift certificates can go toward paying for any BWL utility service. They are sold in $25 increments at our Customer Service Center, 1232 Haco Drive in Lansing.

       Gift certificates can be redeemed in person, through the mail, and even at our pay stations. There is no cash value and change will not be given.  Each certificate is on security paper to prevent counterfeiting.  The certificates expire one year from the date of purchase.

        Even if a grad isn’t on your list, consider buying a BWL Gift Certificate and donating it to an area church or social service organization. In turn, they can use the gift certificate to help a family in need.

        You can buy a BWL Gift Certificate with cash, check or money order. Please consider a BWL Gift Certificate, which can lighten the financial load on college-bound students and others who are “leaving the family nest.”

The Spice Is Right

      What do Lansing’s mayor, a state representative and a jovial disc jockey have in common?

      Chili. Lots and lots of chili.

      Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, State Rep. Joan Bauer of Lansing and local radio personality Rich Michaels are among the celebrity judges for this year’s BWL Chili Cook-off.

      Luck and superstition are the twin themes of this year’s cook-off, because it’s our 13th annual event and we’re holding it on Friday the 13th of June.

      To spice up things even more, this year’s chili cook-off will feature a 50-50 raffle and a “lucky wheel” where you can win good luck charms to ward off the bad luck.

      And if you think Friday the 13th is unlucky, think again. Anyone born on any Friday the 13th of any year gets in free. That’s right. Just show up with a driver’s license or other proof of your date of birth, and that’s your ticket to our 13th annual BWL Chili Cook-off.

      Other details:
n   The price is still just $5 a person.

n   The cook-off runs 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

n   A free shuttle bus, The Chili Express, will operate during the event. The Chili Express shuttle lot will be at the Union Missionary Baptist Church, 500 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

      All gate receipts go to local non-profits, the HOPE Scholarship Program and Impression 5 Science Center.

      All in all, there are plenty of reasons to feel lucky about this year’s
chili cook-off!