Town selects firm to analyze alternatives for sewer plant

Coulee Dam is moving ahead with an “alternatives analysis” of its plan for revisions to its wastewater treatment plant.

The council voted funds, not to exceed $104,572, to move forward and to determine the scope of work, and best location for, the town’s proposed wastewater treatment plant overhaul.

The town had earlier selected the engineering firm Varela & Associates, a Spokane business, to do the analysis.

That selection was made with participation of Elmer City, the Colville Tribes, and representatives from councils and staff. Varela was among nine firms that had initially indicated an interest in doing the engineering analysis.

The document, which the council authorized Mayor Greg Wilder to sign, stated that the alternative analysis was necessary in order for the town to qualify for any federal loans.

It was stated that the town is considering a revision of the original plan that was done by Gray & Osborne.

That plan was completed during former mayor Quincy Snow’s term, and at the time was contested by Wilder. The town had already developed a $4.92 million loan from the Department of Ecology and would have been in the construction phase by now if political events hadn’t dictated otherwise.

The dispute over the scope and location of the wastewater project was one of the determining factors that played a role in Wilder winning the mayor’s race last November.

The cost of the engineering analysis will be paid from the original loan the town had for the project, Wilder told the council.