PUD reviews water system expansion process

June 7 , 200

Commissioners of Wahkiakum PUD reviewed the process for expanding water systems when they met Tuesday.

Residents of two areas of western Wahkiakum County have asked how PUD water can be brought to their areas.

PUD Attorney TIm Hanigan reported that a local utility district (LUD) could be formed to finance the extension.

A petition including the boundaries of the district and signed by at least 10 percent of the LUD’s residents could be presented. The PUD would then conduct a feasibility study on the district.

Alternatively, the PUD itself could establish the boundaries of a proposed LUD.

A public hearing would be held in which people could speak for or against the district.

The PUD board could order establishment of the LUD after the public hearing. If the LUD were approved, the PUD would be authorized to design and construct the expansion. Actual costs would be calculated and allocated, after another public hearing, to the individual properties to be repaid through taxes over a period of time.

PUD Manager David Tramblie said he has been invited to discuss the process at a community meeting June 20, 7 p.m. at the Rosburg Fire Hall.