Council approves short‑term agreement to accept Crook County hauled septic waste

The Prineville City Council approved Resolution 1611 authorizing an intergovernmental agreement to accept hauled septic (septage) waste from Crook County for an initial six‑month period, with an option to renew for one additional six‑month period.

Casey Kiser, public works director and assistant city manager, told council Crook County’s existing land‑application contract was expiring and the county asked whether Prineville could accept its hauled waste on an interim basis. Staff conducted analysis and concluded the wastewater treatment plant has capacity to receive the material without adverse impact.

Kiser said Crook County’s hauled volumes have averaged about 320,000 gallons per month (approximately 10,000+ gallons per day) and noted the city’s influent ranges from roughly 850,000 gallons in a low month to about 1,200,000 gallons in a peak month; the plant’s total capacity is about 2,600,000 gallons. Staff said the septage received so far has been of relatively low strength in lab tests and that sampling of incoming loads is ongoing.

Under the agreement, Crook County would continue to use its private operator to receive and haul the material to the Prineville plant; the city will assess charges for received septage as specified in the agreement. Kiser said the charges create a revenue stream that will offset costs and that the county indicated six months (plus one six‑month renewal) should allow time to secure a more permanent solution.

Council voted to approve Resolution 1611. Staff said the agreement includes a termination provision in case unanticipated operational impacts arise.