By James Howald and Jackie Burhans
The Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board met twice in August. Its regular meeting on Aug. 14 was followed by a special meeting on Aug. 22. At the regular meeting the board heard operational reports and then adjourned to an executive session. At the special meeting, the board considered and voted on three resolutions relating to complaints about leadership and then adjourned to an executive session.
Operational reports
In his financial report, General Manager Jeff Hodge told the board that water sales stood at 40% of the expected amount due to rainfall. Revenue was still outpacing expenditures, he said, adding “As far as us keeping the lights on, producing water and making payroll, we’re good.” The board voted unanimously to accept the report.
Hodge updated the board on the progress of the Loop, a water re-use project in which DWSD is one of three participating districts. Hodge said the Loop leadership is meeting with the contractors who will be working on the project to discuss procurement of equipment that requires long lead times, such as generators. On the water treatment side, granular activated carbon and ion exchange technologies are being reviewed, with the goal of avoiding two separate sets of disposal requirements. The Loop leadership is also negotiating with the Cherokee Metropolitan District regarding the purchase of that district’s Sundance Pipeline. Hodge said the Loop board is considering a public-private partnership framework for the financing the Loop will require.
Board President Wayne Vanderschuere asked Hodge about any plans to replace Mark Valentine, who had been serving as the Loop’s Workflow Manager until he resigned to take a position with Colorado Springs Utilities. Hodge said Merrick and Co., which contracted with the Loop to provide Valentine, would be bringing on new personnel to replace him.
In his water report, Superintendent of Water Operations Ronny Wright told the board that the district’s Well 7D, adjacent to the DWSD headquarters on Holbein Drive, had completed the drilling phase and was being attached to a raw water line to deliver water to the Holbein treatment facility. He estimated the installation of electrical controls for the well would be completed by Sept. 17.
Wright told the board the rehabilitation of one of the district’s three water storage tanks had encountered some problems. Employees of Viking Painting LLC, the company recoating the tanks, had damaged one of the tanks while pressure-washing it. In addition, application of zinc coating had not been done properly, leading to flaking. Vanderschuere asked if Viking was absorbing the costs to fix these issues, and Wright said it was.
Waste Plant Operator Aaron Tolman reported that all wastewater measurements were in compliance for the month.
Aug. 13 executive session
The Aug. 13 meeting went into executive session to consider three agenda items: to receive legal advice regarding the district’s pending water court case no. 24CW3019, to discuss negotiations regarding infrastructure for the Loop, and to confer with the district’s attorney concerning workplace complaints.
Hodge placed on paid administrative leave
At the Aug. 22 special meeting, the board voted unanimously in favor of three resolutions:
- Resolution 2025-5, which authorizes paid administrative leave for Hodge and appoints Accounts Receivable Specialist Christina Hawker as acting general manager.
- Resolution 2025-6, which authorizes an investigation into the district’s workplace culture and complaints about leadership.
- Resolution 2025-7, which designates Hawker as the district’s representative for decisions required by the district’s intergovernmental agreements.
Following the votes on the resolutions, the board adjourned to an executive session to consider three agenda items: the water court case mentioned above, a customer requesting a waiver from a required wastewater connection, and legal advice about workplace complaints.
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The next board meeting is on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.
James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.
Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 15 – 2026 rates and fees amended (2/4/2026)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 11 – 2026 budget adopted (12/31/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Nov. 20 – Water rights and exchange options reviewed (12/4/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 9 – 2026 budget planning (10/30/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 11 – 2026 budget planning kicks off (10/2/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, July 17 – Board tours treatment facility, adjusts sewer bills (8/1/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, June 12 – Positive audit report; inconsistent waste treatment numbers (7/3/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, May 5 – Directors sworn in; district offices temporarily closed (6/7/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, April 17 – Workshop covers finances, water supply (5/3/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Mar. 27 – New water and sewer rates take effect (4/5/2025)
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