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Ephrata joins Lincoln County Conservation District on ASR study, allocates $2,000 from water fund
Summary
The council approved an interlocal agreement to fund work on aquifer storage and recovery; Ephrata will contribute $2,000 from its water fund toward Landau Associates' study and legislative work to ease ASR use in the Columbia Basin.
The Ephrata City Council approved an interlocal agreement with the Lincoln County Conservation District to participate in a study and legislative outreach on aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) in the Columbia Basin and committed $2,000 from the city’s water fund toward the effort.
A city presenter described ASR as storing treated water underground in deeper aquifers for later recovery, and said the city already treats reclaimed water to drinking-water standards before recharging the upper aquifer. “We treat that water to drinking water standards,” the presenter said, describing the potential to store water in deeper zones and later retrieve it for use.
Under the arrangement discussed at the meeting, Landau Associates had agreed to provide $20,000 of pro bono work if the participating cities together provided $10,000 in matching funds; Ephrata’s initial share was presented as $2,000 and staff said that amount would come from the water fund.
Councilors asked technical and legal questions during a lengthy discussion that covered: Columbia Basin geology and how deep basalt layers create disconnected water-bearing zones; differences between Washington’s regulatory approach and neighboring states; and the need to work with state lawmakers and agencies to make ASR practical. The city attorney noted some technical amendments were needed for the interlocal agreement to comply with the Interlocal Cooperation Act (for example, termination and budget posting language).
Council members agreed the city is in a better position than some neighboring communities but that future planning is warranted: “Our goal is to be set for 50 years,” a speaker said while describing long-term water planning.
Staff and council also discussed that some nearby cities (Othello, Quincy, Moses Lake) were already pursuing ASR-related projects; the council asked staff to retain flexibility to reduce Ephrata’s share if other cities increase their contributions.
Council approved the interlocal agreement and the associated commitment from the water fund by voice vote. The council instructed staff to finalize any technical amendments required by the city attorney and to return final documents as needed.
