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Westfir utility report: rainfall drove water flows up; council urged to obligate ARPA funds for meters and wastewater plan
Summary
Operators reported water throughput rose to ~813,700 gallons (from 576,000 last year) because of heavy rain; council was reminded that ~$9,200 in ARPA funds must be spent or obligated by Dec. 31 and staff recommended obligating funds for meters and the wastewater facilities plan.
Bobby, the city’s water/wastewater operator, reported higher system flows for November 2024 due to increased rainfall: “We have a total of 813,700 gallons as of last year’s 576,000 gallons,” he said, noting pumps have cycled more frequently but the plant was operating without major incidents. He also said the system experienced episodic turbidity at the start of the rainy period and that staff temporarily shut pumps to avoid drawing sediment into the system.
Council and staff discussed near‑term steps to account for usage and preserve federal funds. Staff said about $9,200 in ARPA funds remain unspent and must be obligated by Dec. 31 to avoid repayment; the council directed staff to obligate funds by ordering meters or committing them to specific projects and to proceed with planning tasks required for DEQ funding for wastewater projects. A solicited estimate for water tank inspection was noted (staff expected not less than $5,000).
