Wastewater Management

On January 1, 2010, the County’s Sanitary Sewer System was transferred to the PUD.  We are working with County staff to ensure a smooth transition. The PUD will begin billing customers for January sewer service in February.  A line will be added to your current water bill for sewer service.  Please contact us if you have any questions regarding your billing statement, your account or general questions about PUD operation of the sewer system.  Thank you for letting us serve you!

Sewer System Transfer

How We Got to This Point:

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. On several occasions the County had approached the PUD about assumption of their sewer system. The County's primary goal is to reduce costs to its customers. The County believes this is best achieved by the PUD operating the system.

In order to enter into discussions with the County, the PUD Board was required by law to request permission from its customer-owners for the authority to talk with the County about their request.

Customers supported the proposition with 71.92% passing vote. Thank You! The passage of the proposition provided the PUD with the authority to acquire, construct, operate, maintain, and add to sewage systems.

On Monday June 8th 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. The 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. In summary the study states that the system is in good working condition and operational revenue is 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 proceed with the development a memorandum of understanding for the transfer of the County wastewater collection system to the PUD.  The goal was to have the details worked out this fall with a target date for assumption of the system by the PUD on January 1, 2010.  A copy of the condition assessment and study is available. Click here to access the report (Large File 8MB).

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 were 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.

Steps completed:

• Transfer Ownership of the County Wastewater Collection System to the PUD
  on January 1, 2010
• Approve and execute the Transfer Agreement
• Hold Public Hearings on the Wastewater Collection System Transfer Agreement
• Develop of memorandum of understanding and agreement for transfer of ownership of the wastewater collection system from the County to the PUD

• Direction by County and PUD Commissioners to proceed
• Public Hearing on Results of Assessment and Study
• Sewer System Condition Assessment and Feasibility Study
• Ballot Proposition Support for PUD Sewer Authority

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