Council plans water intake work

The Town of Cathlamet is drawing closer to making upgrades to its water plant intake.

The action comes as the council prepares to hold a special meeting tomorrow (Friday), 3 p.m., to go over and probably adopt its updated water system comprehensive plan.

According to a summary presented at the council meeting, the raw water intake capacity is a major system deficiency. And according to the formulas of the Department of Health, which oversees water systems, demand could exceed intake capacity in 2016.

"The raw water intake is the key limiting factor," said consulting engineer Mike Johnson, who has been working on the update for the town.

"The water rights, treatment plan, pumping capacity and storage capacity are adequate for current and future needs.

"You'll likely exceed what the Department of Health thinks you'll need in 2016. So there is some urgency."

The council approved a request for proposals to provide engineering services for the town; wording will be fine tuned for publication next week. The council hopes to have a proposal in hand for a selection at their October 19 meeting.

One of the first tasks will be to analyze the intake and make a recommendation for improvements.

The intake is a perforated pipe buried in the bed of the Elochoman River.

One suggestion is to add a second line in the river to increase capacity. Such a project could take 2-3 years to find funding, complete design and permitting, and then construct.

Public Works Director Duncan Cruickshank reported plans to service the existing line. With Council Member Wally Wright, Cruickshank and staff have run a camera through the pipe, learning it wasn't as plugged as they thought it might be.

Cruickshank said he has plugs for the ends of the line to allow them to insert a line with compressed air to blow out plugged intake holes.

Council members also discussed other sources, including Cougar and Abe creeks east of town and an artesian well up the Elochoman Valley. Costs for treatment of water from the two creeks could be expensive, Johnson said.

"We've done a little cost estimate on that one (the artesian well)," Johnson said. "The main challenge is the water right. It's a closed basin for new water rights. You would have to buy a water right or do some habitat mitigation. That's the challenge.

In related discussion at the meeting, Cathlamet resident David Wolford initiated a discussion of location and maintenance of fire hydrants connected to the town's water system. He said he had noticed gaps in hydrants along streets, and upon investigating, learned that maps showing hydrant location were often inaccurate.

Cathlamet Fire Chief Fred Johnson said the department inspects hydrants inside the city limits; the public works department would be responsible for maintenance. District 4 Fire Department has jurisdiction outside the city limits, he said.

"Between us, we'll check it all out and get them on our next maps," Cruickshank said. "We are GPSing all the valves and hydrants, etc., for mapping of the water system."

Wolford suggested the officials could also talk to District 4 officers about inspections and maintenance.

Council Member Wright also commented that District 4 has lots of water in trucks and that would provide good protection in areas far from hydrants.

"I'm trying to reassure you that you are being protected well," Wright said to Wolford.