Your PUD News Release
PUD to take part in upper-valley sewer study
Chelan County PUD
News Release
6/2/2008
A study funded mostly by the Washington State Department of Ecology will help determine whether a regional approach would improve the economics of wastewater treatment along the Wenatchee River.
Rich Riazzi, PUD General Manager, reported the study grant to commissioners at Monday’s meeting. The PUD will administer the grant and the contract for the study which will look for the most cost efficient way for wastewater treatment facilities at Leavenworth, Peshastin, Dryden and Cashmere to meet an expected state requirement to reduce phosphorous in the water. A report on the Wenatchee River, now in draft form, shows levels of phosphorous high enough to affect fish.
HDR, Inc., an engineering firm with an office in Pasco, will perform the study this year. DOE will provide $50,975, and a total of $5,000 will come from local participants Chelan County, the PUD, and the cities of Cashmere and Leavenworth.
Team will advance sustainability efforts
A team of employees representing a cross-section of the PUD is looking at ways to increase sustainability. The group developed a definition that says, “Sustainability is using, developing and protecting social and natural resources in a manner that allows people to meet their current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
Commissioners offered encouragement for the efforts, saying it is the right thing to do and will offer far-reaching benefits.
The team has identified energy efficiency at the PUD's Wenatchee Headquarters and recycling as two items for focus this year.
Rock Island property declared surplus
Commissioners declared a 7.4-acre parcel of land near Rock Island surplus. Staff will wait two weeks before making a recommendation on what to do with the property. They have one offer from Don Barth who wants to use the land to expand the Rock Island golf course from nine to 18 holes.
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A special meeting of the commission will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, in the Apple Room at the Wenatchee Roaster. Commissioners will have dinner with environmentalist and speaker Patrick Moore before his presentation at Wenatchee High School that evening. Douglas County commissioners will also be attending.
The next regular meeting of the PUD commission will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2008, in the boardroom at PUD headquarters, 327. N. Wenatchee Ave.
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded, and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page.
Jeri Freimuth
Chelan County PUD
(509) 661-4504
(509) 668-0267 cell
Jeri.freimuth@chelanpud.org