Local News

July 19, 2007

Wahkiakum PUD is continuing the study of the feasibility of expanding the Western Wahkiakum Water System along SR 4 to Salme Hill and down Oneida Road.
Mike Johnson of the engineering firm Gray and Osborne met with the PUD commissioners Tuesday to discuss the concept.

Originally, the concept was to extend a water line along the highway, said PUD Manager Dave Tramblie. However, people in other areas have shown interest, and the extent and potential cost of the project have grown.
Tramblie and Commissioner Bob Jungers said the PUD needs to understand the whole Western Wahkiakum system, including its maximum capacity and what stresses adding more customers and longer mains would mean for the system.
One option for paying for the system would be the formation of a local utility district whose customers would be responsible for paying for costs.
“We are very reticent to do that,” Jungers commented. “We are trying to get a realistic handle on how many people in the area might want water.”