What is the project?
The project is the design, permitting and construction of three separate new sewer systems to serve communities in the lower Hood Canal area—one for the area around Potlatch State Park, one for the central Skokomish Indian Reservation area, and one for the central Hoodsport community. Each system will consist of a new sewer system, wastewater reclamation (treatment) plant, and a subsurface, effluent infiltration site. The new sewer systems will serve residences and business in those areas that are presently served by on-site septic systems.
Why is this project being constructed?
The waters of Hood Canal are known to be polluted by subsurface discharge of untreated and partially-treated wastewater from septic systems near the shoreline. At times, the water quality in Hood Canal is poor enough to result in fish kills, and it is believed that the causes are related to these septic system discharges. Various government agencies and environmental protection groups have joined to help protect the water quality of Hood Canal by developing and implementing this project.
What will happen to the discharge from the new treatment plant?
The new treatment plants will use state-of-the-art membrane filtration and disinfection technology to remove pollutants, nutrients and pathogens from the wastewater, resulting in a very clean effluent that meets Washington State standards for water reuse. Initially, this effluent will be infiltrated into the ground adjacent to each new treatment plant site. For the Potlatch area, the plant will be located southwest of Potlatch State Park. In time, some of the effluent may be reused for irrigation and other authorized uses.
Who is conducting this project?
The primary sponsor of this project is a group of local governmental agencies that have taken the lead to protect local water quality. This group consists of the Skokomish Indian Tribe and Mason County. This “Tri-Party Consortium” has agreed to work together to seek the funding and manage the engineering and construction of the three projects.
What is the project schedule?
Only the Potlatch wastewater reclamation system is currently funded and has an established schedule. The Potlatch project is expected to start construction in early 2012. The new Potlatch sewer system will begin operation around mid 2013. Construction of the reclamation facility will begin in early 2012, and construction of the sewer system will start about a year later.. The schedules for the Hoodsport and Core Reservation systems have yet to be determined and will depend on the availability of funding. The sponsoring agencies are currently seeking funding for these future systems.
What part of the Potlatch area will be served by the new sewer?
Sewer service will be provided to Potlatch State Park and homes and businesses along Highway 101 from the new Skokomish Tribe housing area at the south end to the Waterfront Hotel at the north end.
How much will the project cost?
The current preliminary construction cost estimate for the Potlatch system is approximately $5.8 million. This figure represents the cost of the new wastewater treatment plant and infiltration area, collection sewers, pumping stations, individual property connections and grinder pumps, septic tank decommissioning, and construction restoration. The costs of the Core Reservation and Hoodsport systems have yet to be developed.
Who is paying for the project?
The Potlatch wastewater reclamation system construction is funded by grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington State Department of Ecology. Administration services for the project are being provided by the Skokomish Tribe and Mason County. Funding efforts are being coordinated by the Puget Sound Partnership.
If my residence or business is located within the area served by the new sewer system, and I now have a septic system for sewage disposal, will I have to connect my building to the new sewer?
For the Potlatch area system, if your property is within 500 feet of the new sewer along Highway 101, you will need to connect to the new sewer, per Skokomish Indian Reservation ordinances and regulations.
If my residence is connected to the new sewer system, will I have to pay anything?
All costs of the construction of the new Potlatch wastewater reclamation system are being paid through grants from the funding agencies. Some homeowners may need to modify their house’s circuit breaker panel to provide power supply to a small grinder pump station that will be installed on the property and will pump the wastewater from the house to the main sewer in the street.
The monthly rate for sewer service is currently being developed by the Tri-Party. Since construction funding is entirely from grants, the monthly rate will not include debt service.
How will the project provide sewer service to my property?
Unless a property is presently served by a community septic tank and drainfield, each property will be served by a new individual, grinder-type, sewage pump station and a small diameter (1-1/2 inch), low-pressure discharge pipe from the pump to the main sewer along the highway. The pump station will be mostly buried and will be about the size of a large garbage can. The pump station will be installed near the property’s existing septic tank. The discharge pipe will be buried and will cross the property to reach the sewer main along the highway. The existing sewer line from the house will be disconnected from the septic tank and connected to the new grinder pump station. Also, an electrical cable to supply power will need to be installed from the house’s electrical panel to the pump station. The existing septic tank and drainfield will be abandoned. A right-of-entry easement will be needed from the property owner to authorize installation of this new system.
If the property is presently served by a community septic tank and drainfield, a larger pump station to serve the community will be installed near the septic tank. Power for this pump station will be supplied directly from the local power company’s utility line. The community’s sewer pipe will be disconnected from the existing septic tank and connected to the new pump station.
Who will maintain the grinder pump station on my property?
Maintenance of the grinder pump stations in the Potlatch sewer system will be the responsibility of the Skokomish Tribe. Property owners will be notified of the appropriate points of contact for maintenance of the grinder pump stations.
How can I get more information about the project?
Call or email the individuals listed under “Contact Us” at this website to get more information about the project. Also, please attend the next public meeting (date, time, and place to be announced) to learn more about the project.