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Growth places added strain on infrastructure Posted: Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 - 01:31:45 pm PDT By CAROLINE LOBSINGER Staff writer
Municipalities seek help to fund improvements SANDPOINT -- It may not be today, or even tomorrow, but at some point, local municipalities will need help funding wastewater treatment plant upgrades -- maybe even a regional facility.Saturday, officials began laying groundwork for possible funding by discussing growing concerns brought on by aging facilities and increasing growth with Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho. "We've been experiencing a lot of growth," said Tim Closson, operations manager for the Kootenai-Ponderay Sewer District. "This area has become a very desirable place to live. At the same time, our infrastructure is being challenged with what needs to happen."
The area's tremendous growth demands greater capacity -- but also places a strain on the lake and Pend Oreille River, which are "the economic life-blood of all of Bonner County," said Steve James of JUB Engineers. While growth will eventually fund future upgrades, revenue from that growth can't address the "current double whammy of old age and new regulatory demands," said Steve James of JUB Engineers. The result is a "catch-22," he said. "It you build it, people will come but unless you have money, you can't build it," James told Crapo. While the wastewater utilities have big plans, efforts to keep rates affordable often force facilities to do the minimum needed to meet existing permits. That leaves few, if any, resources to build for future growth, he said. Closson said regional officials want federal and state officials involved now -- at the start of the process -- and want to keep them involved so when grants and funding are needed, everyone is on board -- improving the area's chance for help. Crapo pledged his assistance in trying to secure needed resources and promised to stay involved. He also encouraged the groups to get the rest of the congressional delegation involved as well, noting the issue is not unique to Bonner County and that a united effort will be needed. With an estimated $100-$300 billion in infrastructure and wastewater improvements identified throughout the country, Crapo said there is tight competition for federal loans and grants with limited funding available. That shows, Crapo said, the importance of the issue. "This is possibly the most important environmental issue in America and we have a lot of important environmental issues," he added. Local officials agreed, saying they're worried that failure to address the issue will either lead to dramatic increases in septic tanks and drainfields or a moratorium on growth -- possibly both. More septic tanks raise the potentital for groundwater contamination and increased sprawl, while a moratorium on growth could devastate local economies. Adding to concerns, all of the systems discharge above drinking water systems -- KPSD above Sandpoint, which discharges above Dover, which discharges above Priest River. Fresh drinking water totals less than 1 percent of the world's water supply, said Melinda Harper, Idaho Rural Water Association ground water protection specialist. It is no wonder then that safe drinking water affects every aspect of life, she added. "Once a watershed becomes contaminated, it will remain that way due to the time and cost associated with its remediation," Harper said. "You can pump and pump and pump and you can dig and dig and dig, but you probably will never get it all." James told Crapo that the cities, Kootenai-Ponderay and Southside, want to take a more active approach to protecting water quality -- and addressing wastewater/infrastructure needs. Goals include upgrades to existing plants in the short-term and possible construction of a regional facility long-term. "Unfortunately, the initial capital cost is simply prohibitive," James said in a report on the matter. To help protect water quality in the area, James said the municipalities need help funding incremental changes to individual facilities, which would be then used as part of a larger solution -- a regional, advanced treatment facility. "This is a unique opportunity that will make a real difference for future generations," he said. "How much do you need," Crapo asked. "We'll take anything you've got," quipped one sewer district official. POST YOUR OPINION
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Bonner County Daily Bee
P.O. Box 159 / Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 / 208-263-9534
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