Fife council approves first reading to allow electronic industrial wastewater reporting to match Tacoma standards

The Fife City Council on Feb. 25 approved first reading of Ordinance 2136, adding a new section to the Fife Municipal Code to permit electronic document submission for the industrial wastewater pretreatment program.

Public works staff said the change is required to keep Fife’s local code consistent with the City of Tacoma under the interlocal agreement that sends Fife’s wastewater to Tacoma for treatment. “One of the provisions of that agreement is Tacoma, or Fife has to have the same pretreatment regulations as Tacoma,” presenter Greg Ammon said. Ammon told council that the city has two identified significant industrial users: PM Testing and Murray’s Disposal, and that allowing electronic reporting will simplify compliance.

Brody, the city clerk, read the ordinance title into the record: “Ordinance number 21 36, an ordinance of the city council of the city of Fife, Pierce County, Washington adding a new section 13.110.131 of the Fife municipal code regarding industrial wastewater pretreatment program, acceptance of electronic documents.”

Council member Gathers moved approval of first reading; Council member Fagundes seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Council asked a follow‑up question about why Murray’s Disposal is a significant user; staff answered that wash bins and truck washing are likely contributors to higher wastewater volumes and said they would provide additional detail later. Ammon noted that the pretreatment program is administered in coordination with Tacoma’s Pretreatment Program coordinator, Jason Yost.

Because this was a first reading, council did not adopt the ordinance as final law and could consider changes before second reading or adoption.