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Huntington seeks price and outside review as wastewater land-application talks stall
Summary
Councilors set a March 18 deadline for Barber Ranch to provide a price for irrigation land-application, discussed a willing alternative landowner, and said DEQ requested an external evaluation of the wastewater treatment plant; funding and a WWTP operating deficit were identified as obstacles to beginning land application.
Councilors said Feb. 25 they will press Barber Ranch for a price to host irrigation land-application for Huntingtons wastewater and will pursue outside technical review of the wastewater treatment plant after DEQ requested an independent evaluation.
Brad Baird told the council he had difficulty getting a number from Barber Ranch for the price of using the ranchs irrigation area and that the council agreed to give the ranch until the next council meeting, March 18, to respond. Baird said property owner Gary Davis has expressed interest in hosting irrigation but his parcel would require more pipeline and likely higher connection costs; Councilor McKay suggested the city first do a cost comparison before moving forward.
Boxberger, Jeffryes and Mayor Guerri reported they had met with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which wants an outside company or person to evaluate the WWTP and recommend possible improvements. Anderson/Perry was identified as a wastewater consultant with expertise the city could use; DEQ indicated the consultant cost might be eligible to be offset from fines. Baird also discussed Infrastructure Finance Authority (IFA) funding complications and said the wastewater department is operating at a loss, prompting consideration of rate adjustments or reallocation of certain accounts.
Councilors set the March 18 deadline for Barber Ranch and directed staff to pursue an outside evaluation and explore funding options. No final procurement or funding decision was made at the Feb. 25 meeting.
