PUD applying for grant for water main extension

The Wahkiakum County Board of Commissioners was happy Tuesday to agree to a request for a letter of support for a Wahkiakum PUD application for grant funds to extend the Western Wahkiakum Water System (WWWS) to an unserved area west of the Deep River.

PUD General Manager David Tramblie said the grant could fund a 2.25 mile extension from an existing main on Salmon Creek Road to its junction with SR 4 and back along the highway over Salme Hill down to the Oneida Road intersection.

Area residents have been asking for WWWS water for years, but high costs have blocked any expansion there.

However, that may have changed; Tramblie said he had a phone call last Wednesday from staff of Senator Maria Cantwell to alert him to the grant funding. One catch is that applications are due next Tuesday.

PUD personnel are preparing the grant application, Tramblie said; an estimated cost for the project is $3.25 million.

The county commission was pleased to hear of the project and support the application.

"This is a really good deal," said commission Chair Gene Strong.

"This would open up a lot of opportunities for development," added Commissioner Lee Tischer.

Strong asked if the new lines would have fire hydrants.

"No, the system doesn't have fire flow capacity," Tramblie responded, "but there would be filling stations like there are in other spots on the system."