Council prepares to act on water issues

First the good news: The Town of Cathlamet's water plant is keeping reservoirs filled during this dry summer.

Now the bad news: State water officials may be ready to limit the town and Puget Island Water systems to a maximum of 35 new connections.

The issue touched off an explosive discussion at Monday's monthly council meeting, and after much discussion, the council authorized Public Works Director Duncan Cruickshank to draft a request for proposals for engineering services to construct a new intake for the water plant on the Elochoman River.

Cruickshank presented the issue, saying in a memo that, "In a nutshell, we cannot run the plant at its design capacity because we cannot suck enough water out of the river," he said.

The plant can pump 370 gallons per minute, warning alarms go on at that point because the pumps cannot draw enough water.

Cruickshank pointed out that town officials have known of this situation for over 12 years, and consultants have suggested a variety of plans ranging from drilling wells to reactivating an old reservoir to address the situation.

However, the most cost effective plan appears to be laying new intake pipes in the river bed at an estimated cost of $400,000.

"I think there is not any time to continue watching the problem, and it is time to create a plan to resolve the issue," he said in the memo.

Councilmember Wally Wright suggested there might be simple solutions, such as using fire hoses to clear the existing intake line.

He also suggested there might be a well or a potential well in the Elochoman Valley that could be used, including an artesian well discovered in exploratory natural gas drilling.

Ken Alexander, consulting engineer from Gray and Osborne Engineering, replied that the 2003 plan had examined a variety of new sources and concluded installing a parallel line in the river was optimal.

"Our recommendation is to improve the intake," Alexander said.

Cruickshank suggested hiring an engineer to help guide the project with a goal of installing the new lines in 2016.

Councilmembers and Mayor Dale Jacobson debated the issue.

"I would like to think about this more before we dive into an expensive engineering situation," Jacobson said. "I suggest to the council that we give this more time."

"The status quo is not an option any more," said Councilmember Andy Lea. "I'm not agreeable to kicking the can down the road."

"I agree," said Councilmember Bill Talbott.

Councilmember Hannah Booth Watts also agreed and moved to authorize Cruickshank to advertise for engineering services.

However, Councilmember David Goodroe, who attended by speakerphone, expressed dissatisfaction that the council didn't have the latest version of the water plan and urged restraint in acting too hastily.

Cruickshank and Alexander explained that the firm has nearly finished the proposed update of the comprehensive water plan. Cruickshank has seen and commented on it, and it has been submitted to the Department of Health for the agency's comments.

"I'm dumbfounded that we're not privy to a water plan that we've paid for," Goodroe said. "I'd like to see the plan first. I think we're being premature, and if we've had that report for four months and haven't seen it, I'm dumbfounded."

The council needs to know all the options and have goals such as what the future capacity should be, or how many people should be served, Goodroe said.

Alexander replied that the firm had given drafts to Cruickshank for comments and that it had been subsequently submitted to the Department of Health.

Alexander and Goodroe began talking at the same time.

"It's categorically false that we're withholding the plan," Alexander said with mounting frustration. "We've given you this report. We gave it to the Department of Health with the understanding that you had seen it. We have done what we're supposed to.

"I'm done. This is so frustrating, the way you treat us."

At that point, Alexander gathered his documents and left the meeting.

"I don't have enough information to go to an engineer," Goodroe said. "I don't know what were specking."

Cruickshank suggested he develop a request for proposals (RFP) from engineers, using the services of the Association of Washington Cities.

Councilmembers discussed the situation briefly and agreed that Cruickshank should develop the RFP.