Ephrata passes sewer ordinance

EPHRATA - Ephrata's sewer ordinance was changed after more than three months of discussion.

The city council approved an amended ordinance at a recent meeting.

The ordinance allows building owners within 200 feet of the sewer pipe to delay connecting until the septic system fails or the property is sold.

Everyone with a septic system is required to have them inspected by the Grant County Health District every 10 years.

City Administrator Wes Crago said the monthly sewer fee amount for people with septic systems was left blank, so the council could decide what they wanted to charge.

"The mayor wanted a provision added ... that if the city were to extend a sewer line with city funds, a special condition would exist and you would have one year to connect from the start of that construction," he said. "That's only if the city were to put the line in."

Whether the city installs a sewer line depends on changing the rate structure to create a reserve fund for construction, Crago said. 

Councilmembers focused on the amount of the fee the city should charge people with septic systems in the city and decided not to establish a fee.

Councilmember Ben Davis suggested a $15 fee, pointing out the service the city provides benefits everyone. He used Mattawa as an example, saying the city experienced a large amount of growth without having a sewer system.

"Forty-five years ago, before irrigation came in there, there were about four or five homes," he said. "Then the irrigation came and, of course, the town grew a little bit. Then several years after the irrigation came, they decided that was one of the best places of the world to grow apples and grapes."

The entire city had septic systems and in the early 1990s, Davis said sewage started seeping up from the ground.

"The town reeked of raw sewage and there was maggots and there was flies," he said. "It was an absolute cesspool."

The city was able to secure funding to put in a sewer system, Davis said, adding Ephrata's sewer system prevents a similar situation.

"I've tried to envision what would it be like in Ephrata if we didn't have a sewage treatment plant," he said. "Ephrata Heights up here, they live on a gravel bar, probably everything would go down into the ground ... but I don't know what it would do to the water. I know it wouldn't help it."

In the lower areas of the city, the heavier soil doesn't allow percolation as well, making it likely sewage would puddle up, Davis said. In the Grandview area of the city, the caliche layer and rock formations could cause sewage creeks.

"I think the sewer system protects their way of life, just as it does anybody else's," he said. "It protects their environment. It protects their health. I think it protects their underground water supply and I think it protects their property values."

The rest of the councilmembers disagreed with Davis, pointing out the people aren't receiving a service from the city.

Councilmember Stephanie Knitter agreed the sewer system benefited everyone, but charging someone for a service they can't receive doesn't seem right.

Councilmember Mark Wanke also didn't want to charge people, saying the people with residences more than 200 feet from the sewer pipe don't have a choice about having a septic system.

"Yes, some of them would like to hook up and some of them probably wouldn't," he said. "I think the city not having a service that they're begging for, I agree, if they're not getting anything they shouldn't be charged."