Council approves budget amendment to complete Title 22 compliance and tracer study; consultants warn bigger choices ahead for percolation ponds

The Island City Council on Jan. 21 approved a budget amendment to provide additional funds for consultant work (Title 22 reporting, tracer study protocol and cleanup/abatement support) necessary to achieve regulatory compliance for the wastewater treatment system.

Staff and consultant Catherine (West Yost, on Zoom) told the council that the Title 22 report, tracer study and changes to permit language are necessary work to document treatment capacity and to seek regulatory approvals that would allow continued irrigation-season reuse. Catherine said the consulting team has submitted a water-balance memorandum and is working on the tracer-study protocol; the professional work is necessary to respond to the regional water board’s December enforcement-subject letter and to address an outstanding cleanup-and-abatement document.

Council approved the budget amendment on a voice vote (transcript records "Ayes have it"). Staff identified the wastewater fund as the funding source for the amendment and said funds exist (staff noted the account coding requires reconciliation). Multiple speakers—consultants, staff and residents—said the city’s larger long-term decision will be how to address the percolation ponds and a related cease-and-desist order: either fund and construct replacement disposal/treatment capacity (consultants estimated conceptual costs in the tens of millions) or produce studies and negotiation materials to secure permission to continue using percolation ponds under updated permit conditions.

Several residents and operators urged the council to proceed with reporting and studies quickly; staff said the tracer study and title 22 work are targeted to complete ahead of the irrigation season to allow use of treated effluent for irrigation and to reduce exposure to enforcement penalties.