PUD discusses water, other issues

Wahkiakum County PUD heard concerns and responded to questions about water systems, grant funds other issues when the board of commissioners met Tuesday.

Deep River resident Pam Anderson asked about progress on the Westend water extension project, and where water system grant money is being used.

PUD Manager David Tramblie responded that there has been no action on the Westend water extension, which Anderson and others would like so that they have public water along SR 4 at Salme Hill.

The PUD was awarded grant money to replace a pipe on Puget Island, and considered using it for the Westend project, bu it was the opinion of the commission to use the grant as initially approved, Tramblie said.

Commissioner Esther Gregg said that because of the water breaks on Puget Island, that was what first needed to be addressed. She said the funds are competitive and told Anderson that there is money available to fix a failed or failing system but it would be difficult to obtain funds right now to build a new system.

Tramblie told the commission of his recent trip to Long Beach, Calif., for a solar conference. He said the Northwest is about five to 10 years behind California on solar paneling. He said the additional mortgage payments offset the electric bills after solar paneling is installed. In 10 years, he said, green incentives will be the standard.

PUD Auditor Erin Wilson told the commission about a request from the USDA Rural Development to refinance loans on the Western Wahkiakum Water System (WWWS). She said it would need to be returned in 60 days. The loan, she said, dates back to 1997.

PUD Attorney Tim Hanigan said he would need to look at the loan document and, with Tramblie, would look into options and work to find a better rate than the current five percent.

A budget workshop has been set for October 16 at 1 p.m., and a rate hearing has been tentatively set for November 20. There will be notice given so the public may attend.

The board decided that the WWWS Expansion Project ribbon cutting would be scheduled for November 20 at 2 p.m. in the PUD meeting room. “There will be cookies!” Wilson added.