Elmer City considers separate wastewater plant

The task of keeping sewer rates low has begun in Elmer City.

Mayor Gail Morin, who campaigned on the notion that her town could go its own way instead of paying Coulee Dam for wastewater treatment, says she hopes that the first steps in that direction will come this month.

She has met with two Indian Health Services engineers, Alex Dailey and Laura Sliger, on Jan. 17, and says she is hopeful that the agency will conduct an alternative analysis to better help the town set its direction on whether it should build its own plant or team with Coulee Dam in a modified sewer treatment project.

Morin stated that the town could go with a lagoon treatment system that would dramatically reduce what Elmer City residents currently pay Coulee Dam for treatment services.

Morin also stated that she expects to meet with officials from Coulee Dam soon to start discussions in an effort to get more favorable wastewater treatment rates.

“We can’t afford to pay $90 a month for sewer services. That would have happened if Coulee Dam had gone forward with its proposed $4.9 million plant project,” she said.

Elmer City and Coulee Dam have exchanged letters concerning the method Coulee Dam uses to develop flow charges to customers in Elmer City.

Morin claims that a number of charges are being made that are contrary to the wastewater treatment agreement of 1975. That agreement is for 50 years.

Morin also claims that the two towns should be referred to as “partners” rather than Elmer City as only a “customer.”

In reply to Elmer City’s letter, Coulee Dam Mayor Greg Wilder said the town will likely have some “fiscal exposure” and that, by law, this would be limited to six years.

The two towns have yet to set a date to get together to begin discussions.