Cities disagree over arsenic plant cost

Electric City and Grand Coulee have agreed to disagree over the startup costs of the arsenic treatment plant.

Grand Coulee argues that it has paid all but one month from Sept.1, 2014, when the two cities signed a new formal agreement about how charges are to be made.

Electric City contends that Grand Coulee needs to pay its share of the maintenance and operation of the arsenic treatment plant from the time it started receiving treated water.

The difference in time is about 18 months, and in money about $29,000.

The two councils have turned the matter over to their respective attorneys who haven’t made any progress in resolving the matter.

The arsenic treatment plant went into operation in April, 2013, and the two parties were without a formal, signed agreement until Sept. 1, 2014.

The plant cost nearly $1.8 million, and was required when the federal government changed the water standard from 50 parts of arsenic per billion to 10 parts per billion. Electric City’s system consistently produced water containing from 13 to 17 parts per billion. The city asked for a waiver, but it was refused.

Both councils have discussed the issue, but remain firm on their positions.