PUD water crew deals with losses

The Wahkiakum PUD water crew is working to lessen and prevent ongoing water losses in both the Western Wahkiakum and Puget Island Water Systems, PUD commissioners heard at Tuesday’s meeting.

PUD Manager Dave Tramblie displayed a section of pipe with a broken coupling. Water crew members replacing crossings on Puget Island discovered the break and removed the broken piece. Estimated water loss for that break was a gallon a minute, said Tramblie.

During the early hours of Saturday, the water crew installed two bypass meters around three valves. The new meters allowed the crew to spend Monday morning checking the big island for possible leaks, said Tramblie.

“We thought we might have had an issue on the section of West Birnie Slough Road between Hendrickson and Ostervold Roads, but the guys couldn’t find anything,” he said. “It’s frustrating because our losses continue out there.”

“What’s our percentage loss now?” asked Commissioner Bob Jungers. “In the 20s, I think,” responded Tramblie.

While the crew worked on the island water system on Monday, PUD staff realized the Westend system was pumping 30,000 gallons more than normal for a day, an indication of a substantial leak. The water crew later pinpointed the issue to Shannon Road, near the system’s well site.

Tramblie announced the PUD has an agreement in principle with the Town of Cathlamet on the contract by which the PUD purchases its Puget Island supply. The contract will be signed, sealed, and delivered by the end of May.

A pre-bid walkthrough for the upcoming substation build attracted nine general contractors, reported Tramblie. “I think that bodes well for the project,” he added.

Bidding opens this Friday. The commissioners will choose from the bids at the next meeting.

That meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 15 at Rosburg Hall.