By Amy Jennings, Vidette Reporter, 08/20/98
Grays Harbor County is dedicating $40,000 in grant funds to study the development of a public water system at Satsop.
According to County Director of Utilities and Development Kevin Varness, a citizen group in Satsop began voicing concerns over the quality of their water system a couple of years ago. There is no community water system in Satsop, only individual wells, so each individual household or business is dependent on the quality of water available on their own property.
"Some of the business people in Satsop were having problems with their wells. Some of them had bad water. Some of the wells weren't up to current construction standards and some well sites couldn't be located," Varness explained. "The Health Department was getting involved in some cases... the county wanted to try and find a way to help these people."
A survey of the local residents determined that most home owners preferred maintaining their own private wells, while business owners preferred the concept of a new "community water system."
Varness noted that initial discussions between the county and the community included three possible solutions to providing community water: running pipeline from the Elma water system to Satsop; piping in water from the WPPSS site; or developing a community well in Satsop.
"The community felt they'd rather have their own well," noted Varness. "Either of the other two options would require a half a million dollar investment up front, just in pipeline. We thought it would probably make more sense to do something in a phased approach."
When the Department of Health announced they had some excess grant funds to be utilized specifically for public water systems - courtesy of referendum 48 - the county jumped on the chance to compete for the funds.
The county was awarded a $40,000 grant, allowing them to contract with Gibbs and Olson - an engineering firm that will conduct a "feasibility study identifying possible community well sites.
The study is likely to include results of water testing, as well as plans for drilling and installation of a well. It may also offer a comprehensive plan for operating the public water System once it's installed.
"Our goal Is to survey the water quality and quantity, and find the best water available in Satsop," Varness added. "We hope to find a new or existing well, and develop a public water system on a small scale to service the Commercial corridor and the school... The county is trying to find a solution for them so we can help keep Satsop in the map."
The community of Neilton is utilizing similar grant funds to upgrade their preexisting public water system. The county secured the funds for that pro'ject as well, in an effort to help the community address its water system, and other concerns related to the area's "economic vitality."
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