A BIT OF HISTORY

The Bonnieview Irrigation Association (BIA) is contained within N 63rd Avenue east to 60th Avenue, and Lincoln Avenue north to Englewood Avenue. It got its start in the 1960s, when a farm was sold and the land divided up into 72 individual parcels. The BIA operates in collaboration with the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District (YTID). The YTID is a Bureau of Reclamation Project that has been in operation for over 100 years, The original construction took place from 1906 to 1909. The YTID requires that BIA Have a President and a Secretary responsible for managing the BIA and for collecting and paying annual fees to the YTID each year in advance of the water being turned on for the BIA.

SYSTEM DISCRIPTION

The BIA is a unique irrigation system. The annual flat rate that BIA members pay for their water goes to the YTID to cover delivery of the water and to cover the costs of repair and maintenance of the system, and not to a utility company. This results in BIA households paying substantially less for their irrigation water. The BIA is responsible for maintenance of several main lines. All other lines (spur lines) are managed by owners of the individual parcels. Each home owner should have their own shut-off valves located between the main and spur lines. The main lines have large shut-off valves to shut off the water when problems occur.

Association of Volunteers

The leadership of the BIA has been assumed by a rotating succession of neighbors who serve on a voluntary basis because they enjoy and value the irrigation water that our neighborhood utilizes and enjoys. Please remember that the folks assuming leadership require your kind cooperation in timely payment of annual fees and in gaining access to your property when repairs need to be made. These are not salaried positions.

Membership

Membership dues paid by all of us keep the BIA waters flowing. Fees must be paid to the YTID every spring before the water is turned on. The fees also cover annual repair costs to the pipes and valves that keep the water flowing to each and every one of us.