The water system was originated by an irrigation district around 1896. The water system was then transferred to a land development company. The original source of water supply for Clarkston and the surrounding area was Asotin Creek, the headgate for the source, which is located 12 miles south of Clarkston. Water flowed by gravity to the Clarkston area through an open ditch (“Old Vineland Ditch”).

In 1907, a 48-inch wood stave transmission main was installed to replace the open ditch. The new transmission main included irrigation service to a district known as Clarkston Heights.

In the 1920’s, a small pumping station (Snake River Pump Station No.1) was installed to pump Snake River water to Pomeroy Gulch Reservoir. This pump station was installed because of frequent interruptions and breaks in the wooden transmission line from Asotin Creek. The water system’s properties were transferred through a number of ownerships until 1930 when the Washington Water Power Company (WWP) acquired them. At the time of takeover by WWP, the water system consisted of an intake, the Asotin Creek wood stave transmission line, the Pomeroy Gulch Reservoir (surface storage), Snake River Pump Station No. 1, and system distribution mains. In about 1931, WWP installed another pumping station on the Snake River about 2 miles south of the existing pump station. This became Snake River Pump Station No. 2. With few water system modifications, the demands placed on the system were adequately met until about 1948.

Through a series of events WWP was required to build a filtration plant due to the quality of water being transmitted from Asotin Creek. During 1951, a 3-million-gallon-per-day (mgd) water filtration plant was completed. The plant site was located just below the old Pomeroy Gulch Reservoir and served filtered water to the area within the city limits of Clarkston. At this time WWP relied on the Asotin Creek source, as well as the two pumping stations located on the Snake River. Two separate sources were providing irrigation water and domestic water. In the late 1950’s, WWP was required to also serve domestic water to those users outside the city limits.

Because of the demands placed on the domestic water system, WWP drilled Well No.1 during 1956 and placed it into service during 1957. During this time they also acquired an existing well (Well No. 2) and placed it into service in 1957. During 1958 WWP began exploring underground water as a supply source. WWP was then committed to developing a combination of well and river supply system for Clarkston and the surrounding area. Once this system was developed the Asotin Creek supply system was abandoned.

WWP completed a six-well system during 1961. A seventh well was added in 1977. In early 1983, the water system was purchased from WWP by General Waterworks Corporation (GWC). Clarkston General Water Supply, Inc. (CGWS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of GWC, was formed to operate the system.

During the private ownership by CGWS, water rates increased dramatically. This led to the formation of a group of private citizens (Utility Consumers, Inc.). This group and many other private citizens were instrumental in placing the issue of formation of the PUD on the ballot.

In November of 1984, a public utility district was formed by the citizens of Asotin County. The PUD, which protested the cost of water service from CGWS, was created with the intended purpose of acquiring ownership of the water system through condemnation. After two years of court proceedings, Public Utility District No. 1 of Asotin County began operation in April of 1987.

Electrical

In 1994 the Asotin County PUD entered the electrical business by purchasing three (3) miles of underground electrical distribution lines from Clearwater Power Company. This distribution line serves the PUD’s only electrical customer, Quail Ridge Golf Course.

Entrance into the electrical business immediately qualified the PUD for low cost power from the Bonneville Power Administration. After several of years of negotiation, the PUD signed an agreement with Avista Utilities which provided for the transfer of energy from the Bonneville system over Avista lines to the PUD’s water production facilities.

This agreement has resulted in an average electrical savings of $100,000 per year based on past and current electrical rates. This energy savings translates into lower water rates for our customers.

In October of 2001 the PUD became the newest member of Energy Northwest, which operates the Columbia Generating Station Nuclear power plant and several other energy production facilities. This membership has given the PUD a voice in public power issues and will provide us another means in the future of securing low cost power for our water production facilities.

Sewer Collection System

On January 1, 2010, the PUD assumed ownership of Asotin County’s Sanitary Sewer System.

On several occasions Asotin County had approached the PUD about assumption of their sewer system. The County’s primary goal was to reduce costs to its customers. The County believed this was best achieved by the PUD operating the system since their sewer customers were also our water customers. The PUD agreed with the County’s position and started the process of assuming ownership of the Wastewater Collection System.

• In July 2008, the PUD Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution authorizing the placement of a proposition for sewer authority on the November 2008 ballot. Customers supported the proposition with 71.92% passing vote. The passage of the proposition provided the PUD with the authority to acquire, construct, operate, maintain, and add to sewage systems.
• In February 2009 an assessment and study was authorized by the PUD in February to examine the County’s wastewater collection system and its financial condition as one of the first steps toward assumption of the system after the passage of the vote supporting PUD sewer authority.
• In June 2009 the Asotin County and PUD Board of Commissioners held a joint public meeting at the PUD conference room to hear a presentation of a draft Wastewater System Condition Assessment and Feasibility Study. In summary the study stated that the system was in good working condition and operational revenue was sufficient to meet expenses.
  • After the presentation the County Commission expressed support for the PUD assumption of their wastewater collection system. Both Commissions discussed the process involved for system assumption at their respective public meetings and directed staff and counsel to precede with the development a memorandum of understanding for the transfer of the County wastewater collection system to the PUD.
  • As final steps in the process, the PUD held a Public Hearing on the proposed Sanitary System Transfer Agreement at their regular commission meeting Monday November 9, 2009 and the County held a Public Hearing during their regular commission meeting on Monday, November 16th.
• On Monday December 8, 2009, the County Board of Commissioners was presented with and approved the Sanitary Sewer System Transfer Agreement. At their meeting on Tuesday, December 9th the PUD Board of Commissioners were presented with and approved the same agreement.

The Wastewater Collection System serves approximately 1,300 connections. Wastewater collected by the PUD is sent to the City of Clarkston Wastewater Treatment Plant for processing. Since taking over the Wastewater Collection System the PUD has added over 8,000 feet of sewer mainline that will serve an additional 225 connections.

If you have any questions, please contact the General Manager at 509-758-1010 or at tsimpson@asotinpud.org