Frequently Asked Questions
Published by The Lakes Homeowners Association Architectural Control Committee
We have published this guide in order to answer some of the questions that our residents might have. If you don’t find your answers here contact the Homeowners Association President or any member of our Board Of Directors. Their names and numbers are listed on our internet site, and in the issues of The Lakes Newsletter.
(Please note that this FAQ is meant as a convenient and quick reference guide for homeowners at The Lakes. The answers herein our based on our covenants. This is not a legal document. The final legal reference are The Lakes Covenants and our Homeowners Association By-Laws as filed with Lafayette County, State of Mississippi.)
Utilities (16)
The Lakes electrical power is furnished by Northeast Mississippi Electric Power Association. They in turn purchase their electrical needs from the TVA, The Tennessee Valley Authority.
You should never pour or flush down any of the following:
* Grease
* Explosive or flammable material
* Kitty litter
* Aquarium gravel
* Strong chemicals or toxic, caustic or poisonous substances
* Degreasing solvents
* Diapers, feminine products, or cloth of any kind
* Fuel or lubricating oil, paint thinner or antifreeze
* Plastic objects
* Seafood shells
Each home has its own “holding tank.” That’s it outside your house with the round green cover on it. Inside of the “holding tank” is a system that is kind of like an upside down garbage disposal. As the level rises in the tank a float switch engages that turns on a grinder -the “garbage disposal”- and a pump. The pump forces the fine slurry from the grinder through an underground pipe to the main line that runs along the street outside your house. At the street your home’s line connects with the main sewer line through a check valve. Once in the main line the content is pumped by your pump, and the pressure from other resident’s pumps via the main line to a holding pond that is located just east of Punkin Road near our south entrance. In addition there is a lift station on the south side of Lakes Drive North.
The contents of the holding pond are treated over time and released as it is converted into potable water by the system.
If you have a mind to, it’s not a bad idea to remove the cover and flush out the interior and pump with a garden hose. Doing this once a year should help the systems performance.
If the red light comes on and stays on it means that your pump is not working. You will need to have the unit serviced.
If your home is less than a year old, contact your builder for warranty coverage. If your home is more than a year old you will need to contact a serviceman for repairs.
Contractors that work on the units seem to come and go. Contact your HOA for the current list.
The Lakes has its own Sewer System which is currently supervised by BancorpSouth who is negotiating with an independent party to operate both the sewer lagoon and the sewer lines, including ownership, maintenance, billing for services, etc. At the time of this FAQ edition the bank has not sold the service to an operator and that is why our residents do not pay a monthly fee.
Contact Lafayette County Solid Waste – http://lafayettems.com/departments/solid-waste/
Holiday schedules will be published in the Oxford Eagle newspaper. Special pickups (furniture, tree limbs, appliances, etc.) will be made by the County at no charge. Call 662-236-2535.
Our trash collection is done by Lafayette County every Friday.
NOTE: Plastic liners must be used in all trash containers.
NOTE: Trash containers may not be set out more than 24 hours prior to collection, and must be removed within 12 hours after collection.
The Lakes water supply is furnished by the Punkin Water Association. The water comes from wells owned by the Association. Distribution and pressure is from two water towers; one just south of highway #6 a few miles to our west, and one is located in The Lakes at the top of the hill on Rock Springs Drive. http://punkinwater.com/