Grant PUD closes facilities to public access

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD will close all its customer service offices, PUD headquarters, all other facilities and Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams to public access until further notice after a contract employee was discovered to have had contact with a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus.

Utility district officials already had closed the Wanapum Heritage Center near Priest Rapids and the visitors center at Wanapum. All PUD commission meetings are being held by teleconference.

Public affairs supervisor Chuck Allen said all non-essential employees will be asked to stay home. The restrictions will be in effect until further notice.

Utility district officials are still working out how they will provide customer services, Allen said.

The contract employee had “direct and prolonged exposure” to the COVID-19 patient, according to a press release issued by the PUD. “This contracted employee recently came into direct contact with several of Grant PUD’s employees.”

“We want to make sure we reduce the risk of the possible spread,” Allen said. “We have highly technical and highly trained people that operate the dams and operate the electrical system,” and it’s important to reduce the risk of exposure for people in those jobs, he said. The goal is to avoid possible service interruptions.

“We’re just going to defer the work that can be deferred,” Allen said, and allow people to work from home if possible. People whose jobs don’t allow them to work from home will be placed on paid leave, Allen said.

The PUD does have an online bill pay option that’s still working. How other customer services will be accommodated is still being determined, Allen said, and will be announced.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.