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Humboldt County, CA November 3, 2009 Election
Smart Voter

Wastewater Disposal and Water Rate Increases

By Penny Elsebusch

Candidate for Director; McKinleyville Community Services District

This information is provided by the candidate
Required to meet State mandated requirements for wastewater discharge. There will be necessary increases in water rates.
I am concerned about increases in water rates with the closure of the pulp mill as the District's share of Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District costs is approximately 19% which will increase. The pulp mill was subsidizing drinking water repairs and maintenance. The District is not purchasing more water but now will be required to pay the portion that the pulp mill has been subsidizing. The District should simply pass those additional costs on to the ratepayers and not add any profit margin for those costs.

A huge problem looms regarding State mandated requirements for wastewater discharge and the Board will have to make important decisions on major investments in the sewer treatment plant or go for an ocean outfall line. An engineering firm is currently studying various ideas for the sewer treatment plant and those suggestions will come to the next Board for its decision. I want to make sure that the solution we come up with for improving our wastewater plant is the one that is the most economically feasible and is a long-term solution as that solution is going to cost a lot. I don't believe we are going to be able to use the District owned Fischer Ranch to dispose of treated wastewater as a long term solution and the sale of the ranch may help pay for what will be required.

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ca/hm Created from information supplied by the candidate: November 2, 2009 09:13
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