Anticipating meet with Coulee Dam, Elmer City weighs sewage issue

Elmer City could be up to its knees in a messy problem if leaders don’t find a solution to their waste water treatment facility issue with Coulee Dam, which was discussed by the town council last week.

A meeting between council members and mayors of the two towns is planned within the next weeks or so to casually discuss viewpoints on the issue in the hopes of coming to a solution.

Coulee Dam is building a new wastewater treatment plant at a higher elevation than the previous facility. The increase in elevation will require new lift pumps to get the sewage from Elmer City to the new facility.

Coulee Dam feels that Elmer City should pay for the pumps, but Elmer City feels Coulee Dam should pay for it, wanting simply to continue to pay their share of the flow rate, which currently averages at about 20 percent of the cost of operations.

A 50-year agreement, with about seven years left on it, was signed in 1975 between the two towns. Elmer City feels that Coulee Dam has betrayed that agreement by going through with a plan to build a new facility, estimated to be completed in October, which wouldn’t service Elmer City unless new pumps are installed.

“We did not have a vote on this plan, or get to say if it was built or not built,” said Elmer City Mayor Jesse Tillman at the July 12 council meeting. “We were looked at as a customer, and we are not a customer of Coulee Dam. I do not believe that it is our responsibility to pay for these pumps through the 1975 agreement.”

“Given enough time we’re going to put our own system in, so I don’t see why Elmer City must buy these pumps at this time, because what are we going to do with these when we move away from Coulee Dam?” asked Councilmember Clara Carson. “So it makes sense to me to say, ‘Coulee Dam, you need to provide the pumps, because when we move away, those pumps are going to be yours. We’ve been transparent that we’re going to move in our own direction for at least two years.’”

Elmer City Public Works Director Jimmer Tillman said that Indian Health Services will be making a presentation to the Colville Business Council in the near future about Elmer City’s need for their own sewage treatment plant, in hopes of getting that plan underway and beginning to seek funding.

The lift pumps necessary to cover the additional estimated 17-23 feet of elevation would cost about $40,000 for two pumps, according to Tillman.

Coulee Dam spends a certain amount of money to treat a certain amount of gallons of sewage each month, and meters Elmer City’s gallonage, charging them for their percentage of usage.

“The absolute most I would be willing to do with paying for these pumps is our flow rate and our fair share, 20-23 percent,” Tillman said, “and we could pay back a little each month to cover our portion of the pumps.”

“I’m hoping we can do this amicably,” Tillman said about coming to an understanding at the meeting between the two towns. “I just hope that we find something that works out.”

“I hope it goes smooth and we can meet someplace in the middle and get this worked out,” Coulee Dam Mayor Larry Price said Tuesday. “I think it’s best for both towns.”