PUD discusses water system losses

“I don’t think there are any magic bullets out there,” commented engineer Mike Johnson in response to a query from PUD commissioner Bob Jungers about developments in water pipe technology aimed at preventing leaks.

Johnson, representing PUD engineer firm Gray and Osborne, attended the Wahkiakum PUD commissioners’ June 19 meeting to discuss the Western Wahkiakum Water System (WWWS). Johnson briefed the board on the feedback he had recently received from the State Department of Health regarding the draft six-year plan for the WWWS that was submitted in December.

In an effort to promote water use efficiency, the Department of Health encourages water systems to achieve distribution losses of 10 percent or less. Distribution loss is calculated by subtracting water consumption from water production. Distribution loss for the WWWS runs about 40 percent, said Johnson, noting that water systems with many miles of pipe in the ground and few customers often face distribution loss issues.

“We have seen improvements in production for WWWS. We are aggressively locating and repairing leaks,” added PUD water crew chief Jim Jespersen.

The Department of Health’s feedback suggested the system adopt a more aggressive distribution loss reduction goal than the proposed 1.5 percent per year. Johnson recommended raising the goal to 2-3 percent, and working to meet it by installing district metering for ease of leak detection and budgeting to replace half a mile of pipe in the aging system on an annual basis.

“It is not by any means trivial what you are trying to accomplish,” concluded Johnson.

PUD Manager Dave Tramblie asked the commissioners to weigh in on the utility covering the $1,500 estimated cost associated with upgrading the electrical infrastructure serving Hotel Cathlamet and associated businesses in the hotel building.

Tramblie explained that new Hotel Cathlamet owners Stephanie and Kevin Prestegard and Wayne and Kay Cochran had approached him to explain that they planned to install heat pumps and water heaters for their business, thereby increasing the electrical load. Tramblie checked with the PUD’s engineering firm, who estimated that the current equipment had a borderline ability to handle the increased load. Tramblie concluded an upgrade was needed.

“According to our policy we’d normally ask the people who are putting the burden on our system to pay for those costs. I think there’s some latitude I have within that policy, but I want to hear from the board before I act,” explained Tramblie.

Commissioner Dennis Reid stated “I’m all for helping a new business get established in town as long as it’s going to be profitable for us in the future. And it will be because the customers will be using more power than before. I would be in favor of you using your leeway to make it easier for them to get this business up and running.”

Commissioners Gene Healy and Bob Jungers concurred with Reid.

The Cochrans and Prestegards, who attended the meeting, thanked the commissioners for consideration of their request.

Referencing a recent letter to the editor published in The Eagle, Reid commented that he had not had any constituents approach him with a request for evening meetings.

A previous board moved to daytime meetings because it was congruent with PUD employee work schedules, recalled PUD Attorney Tim Hanigan. PUD Auditor Erin Wilson added that the PUD’s office staff rarely hears customers suggest evening meeting times.