PUD discusses water system issues

Wahkiakum PUD commissioners met February 21 at Rosburg Hall in fulfillment of their commitment to holding one meeting every quarter this year in the Westend of Wahkiakum County.

Commissioner Bob Jungers asked PUD Manager Dave Tramblie to report on customer response to the yearlong moratorium on a system development fee for new water customers. The PUD has received payment for two planned water hookups, said Tramblie, and has had 12 inquiries in total. He explained that the fee moratorium was implemented as an incentive in order to increase the number of customers using the PUD’s two water systems. New customers will still be responsible for the cost of installing water meters and will need to sign a two-year service agreement.

PUD Auditor Erin Wilson reported to the commissioners that the Town of Cathlamet had accepted the PUD’s proposal to wait to implement the town’s three percent utility tax increase effective February 18 until the PUD’s next full meter reading cycle.

The commissioners discussed the possibility of adding a line item on Puget Island Water System bills to recoup the $4500 the tax is expected to cost the utility annually, and asked Wilson to report back at the next meeting with several possible scenarios for implementation. All water for the PIWS is purchased from the Town of Cathlamet.

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