PUD commission denies request for discount on leak

Grays River residents David Henderson and Colleen Haley appealed to the commissioners for a greater discount at the Wahkiakum County PUD board meeting on August 4 after a leak on their property generated a water loss that cost them $280.21. Their questions led to conversation about some of the issues that the PUD faces with the western Wahkiakum water system.

The water had been shut off at their property for nearly two years, according to Henderson, and was recently turned on to prepare the place for sale. Henderson found the leak, which is on their side of the meter, when he returned one day to mow the lawn.

Per Wahkiakum PUD policy, General Manager David Tramblie offered them a one time 25 percent discount. They were not satisfied.

“For two years we have paid $1,327.54 in basic fees and we’ve received no water,” Haley said. “Due to this leak, we are up to $329.22 in water, which puts us in a negative of $998 that we have paid you for nothing.”

Commissioner Dennis Reid responded.

“The basic fee is what keeps the system going,” he said. “It’s not that you get nothing. You have a maintained system so the water is there when you want water.”

“You’re in kind of a difficult position, in that western Wahkiakum is a very rural district, very spread out,” Commissioner Robert Jungers added. “The production and distribution of water is an extremely expensive operation. We try to structure our rates in such a way that we can recoup these costs and continue to reliably provide potable water to the rate payers on that system. It’s a difficult dance for us because it’s expensive.”

“This is one of the most expensive water systems in the state,” Henderson said.

“You’re right,” Reid said. “The reason it’s so expensive is that you have so many miles of water line and so few people on it that have to pay that fee.”

“I understand the Deep River camp has been asking for water,” Haley said. “What is the hold up there? Why can’t we get water down to Deep River camp?”

“Cost,” Reid said. “It will take somewhere between $300,000-500,000 to run the system out there for the six to eight people They either have to pay for it all, or we put it on you. We’re saying we’re not going to put it on you.”

“We would love to hook those people up,” he added.

Returning to the matter at hand, Haley called the 25 percent reduction “nothing.”

“You are responsible for everything that happens on your side of the meter,” Reid said. “I don’t agree that a 25 percent discount is nothing.”

The commissioners voted to abide by policy and the discount remained at 25 percent.

Talk turned to street light replacement.

“I’d like to see more directed lighting when lights are put up,” Puget Island resident Kim Sharp said. “There is a lot of light pollution out here already.”

The commissioners voted to adopt a light replacement policy that states: “The District has determined that it is in the best interest of its ratepayers to replace street lights, security lights and yard lights with energy efficient light emitting diodes. In the event that a street light, security light or yard light requires replacement, in the event of a new installation, or any time at the District’s discretion, the District will install a light emitting diode. The monthly billing rate will be as set forth in the District’s rate schedule.”

Tramblie reported that the Shannon Road project was nearly complete. Reservoir inspections on the Westend are scheduled for Thursday.

“Negotiations with the Town of Cathlamet on the water contract have stalled,” Tramblie said. “It’s my opinion that we move forward as outlined in the contract.”

Auditor Erin Wilson went over the June financials and explained the Public Utility Risk Management Services, a self insurance fund set up by public utilities in the state of Washington. She also presented the commissioners with a preliminary budget that she and Tramblie have been working on for 2016.

“For a starting point and discussion,” Wilson said. “We have built in 5 percent rate increases for all systems.”

“I’m not in favor of a 5 percent increase on the electric system,” Reid said. “The reason I say that is that we have $1.3 million in reserves, we paid ahead on our mortgage, we purchased equipment and gave the manager a pay raise. I just kind of hate having an increase in rates when we’ve done all these things. I’m not saying my mind can’t be changed, I just want you to know right up front what I’m thinking.”

Commissioner Gene Healy asked Wilson to provide a preliminary budget for all the systems without a rate increase.

Final decisions on the budget are made at the first meeting in September.

The next meeting is scheduled for August 18 at 8:30 a.m. in the PUD meeting room.