Port of Mattawa approves increase for waste water rates

MATTAWA — The commissioners for the Port of Mattawa passed a rate increase for wastewater rates. The new rates will go into effect on New Year’s Day.

“These rates haven’t been changed since 2008,” said Lars Leland, executive director for the Port of Mattawa. “This wastewater facility was built in conjunction with the Department of Ecology, Department of Commerce, Port of Mattawa and private wine producers to handle wine waste back in 2008. We have not changed these rates since 2008. As you can imagine, 10 years is a long time for a change. The Department of Ecology allowed us to operate this facility without a permit until 2016. The 2016 permit added a lot of other costs that adds approximately $194,000 of added annual expenses. This is from added testing, debt repayment and added repair/solids removal reserves.”

The wastewater rates were increased from 4.5 cents per gallon to 5.5 cents per gallon. Part of the money collected will go towards solids removal and repair reserves.