Increase Tribe sewer rate

To the Editor

Back in October 2013 the meter which measures sewer flow from the Tribe, was found to be malfunctioning. It was reading lower than it should. Three years later, in October 2016, the meter was replaced and re-calibrated. Since then it shows an average reading of 25.49 percent of total flow from the Tribe, while the rate charged to the Tribe for 2017 was based on 18.4 percent.

The Tribe owes the Town $6,565 for 2017 and for the years 2014 through 2016 the Tribe owes $33,529.

In 2017 the total flow at the sewer plant from Town was 86,426,381 gallons. Using 895 as the population of La Conner, the average gallons per day per person was 265. The EPA standard is 120 gallons per person. That means that 145 gallons per day is attributable to inflow (roof drains) and infiltration (groundwater), called I&I.

The 2018 budget calls for spending $100,000 on I&I. Is that enough?

Clearly, our 41-year-old sewer system is in trouble, financially as well as physically. It is up to the Town Council to do something about it.

Sincerely,

Dan O’Donnell