Wahkiakum PUD works on varied projects

Wahkiakum PUD commissioners and staff discussed system maintenance and upgrades at their meeting on May 4.

PUD Manager Dave Tramblie reported a contractor had completed an infrared survey of the electrical system and found the connector that serves the medical clinic and a nearby restaurant was excessively hot. A PUD crew replaced the connector last week and is scheduled to work on voltage regulators in the substation that are not operating correctly. A replacement voltage regulator costs approximately $18,000, said Tramblie.

The Bonneville Power Administration has sent a draft proposal for a planned tap to BPA transmission lines required for the new substation. The timeline for the tap to occur is September 2012. The contract should be signed by the end of the month, said Tramblie. He noted it is likely to cost several million dollars to purchase new equipment for the substation, including a new transformer with a projected lifespan of 50 years at a cost of $700,000. A used transformer has already been purchased to serve as a backup in case of current system failure.

The commissioners urged Tramblie and PUD auditor Erin Wilson to pursue financing options rather than trying to fund the equipment acquisition through accumulating reserves.

“There’s no need for current residents to pay the full cost of something that will last 50 years,” said commissioner Bob Jungers.

The PUD’s engineering firm will complete site designs within four to six months, after which crews will begin site prep, said Tramblie.

Tramblie has been soliciting estimates from contractors to test utility poles. There is $75,000 in the budget to complete the project, but testing every pole will be over $100,000. He asked the commissioners to advise him on whether to complete the work over two budget cycles or to allocate funds to complete testing of all poles in one year.

He updated the commissioners on a water project for Welcome Slough Road on Puget Island. Residents Wallace and Sue Bingham have offered easement rights to install the new water main on their property rather than under the county roadway. In exchange, the Binghams requested a connection fee waiver valued at $3500 if they decide to install a new water meter in the future. The commissioners approved the waiver, noting that the PUD’s monetary benefit for the easement was more than $3500.

Water crew foreman Jim Jespersen and Tramblie attended a workshop on Monday to learn about new Department of Health regulations requiring water systems to implement water conservation goals and measures by July 1 of this year. A public meeting will be held to solicit feedback once the goals are drafted and before approval by the commissioners.

Wilson reported that five appliances have been recycled through the refrigerator / freezer early retirement program to promote energy efficiency and that she has selected four vendors to demonstrate accounting software packages for possible purchase.

Commissioner Esther Gregg reported she has attended a Department of Ecology public hearing in Rosburg about a proposal to spread treated human waste on pasture lands in the Grays River Valley downstream from the wells for the Western Wahkiakum Water System. Gregg said 80 people had signed in for the meeting and 25 had their comments recorded.

“Overwhelmingly the people that were there were opposed to it,” said Gregg. She said a decision would be released within two months.