Elochoman Valley residents seek water line help

Three Elochoman valley residents approached local governments this week to seek help in repairing a water line ruptured by a truck.

They haven't had water since May 5, and they say they can't afford to make repairs.

Land owner Steve Arness on Monday told the Cathlamet Town Council that the line ruptured under the Elochoman Valley Road when a concrete truck passed over.

His daughter, Brianna Arness, and tenant Sarah Czarnecki were present. They noticed that the road bulged immediately, and when they approached, they saw water leaking through the pavement. They notified the town's utility crew which responded and turned off the water.

The problem is that the water main and meter to the Arness property is on one side of the road, and their houses are on the other. Town officials told them they were responsible for repairs to the line between the meter and their residences.

Arness said he and Czarnecki have disabling health conditions, and Briana Arness has an infant to care for.

"We can't make the repairs," he told the council. "Is their any way you can help?"

Town Public Works Director Duncan Cruickshank repeated the town policiy that repairs between the meter and the residence are the responsibility of the property owner. However, the council has discretion to act as it pleases.

"Sarah notified us as soon as it happened, and that saved the road," Cruickshank said. "However, the bottom line is that if we moved all meters, we couldn't afford it.

"The bulge was remarkable," he added.

Mayor Dale Jacobson was sympathetic to the trio's plight.

"It's not your fault; it's not our fault," he said.

He said he would consult with county officials and look for ideas to address the situation.

Cruickshank commented there are ways of pulling a new line through the old line, and that could be considered.

Commissioner Mike Backman attended the council meeting and suggested the trio check with the county board of commissioners, and on Tuesday, Czarnecki and Briana Arness explained the situation to the county commission.

Commissioners Dan Cothren and Blair Brady repeated the policy that it's the responsibility of the homeowner to make repairs between the meter and the house.

However, they also suggested Arness could connect to another line at a neighbor's residence on the same side of the road.

Czarnecki and Briana Arness said they would consult again with Jacobson and Cruickshank.