Camas is not the only community soon to be saddled with steep increases in water and sewer rates. Washougal is looking at a 14% increase for the new year.

 

This fact has incensed some citizens. In these times of very high unemployment, huge job loss, skyrocketing health insurance rates, and recent drastic drops in property assessment values, a notice that water and sewer rates to be shooting upward is alarming and depressing news.

 

Why has Camas and Washougal’s rates taken this drastic jump in cost to the consumer?

 

For Washougal it is a combination of things. From our understanding, in the past 4-5 years Washougal’s city government had only placed a 3% increase on these rates. They were some lax in keeping a good eye out for increases that may affect the cost to consumers. While Washougal has it’s own wells for water they are still subject to State and Federal standards. New and continuing standards coming down from the Federal Government to Washington State meant that any water or sewer works not in compliance, must do so, or be faced with fines and non-compliance with the law. By merely placing a 3% increase to the rates, Washougal was by effect, subsidizing the true cost of these absolutely necessary utilities. Washougal is not in the business of loaning out money for the water or sewer costs. They are not there to subsidize the cost of these utilities, and through their negligence, costs were rapidly increasing to the city. So, increases were necessary to keep the water flowing and the toilets flushing to meet the public demand but also keeping within the mandated guidelines.

 

There are other factors, which must be considered too. Washougal’s water pipes and conveyance systems are in need of repair and in some cases replacement. These costs must be paid for by the city. Since these costs are directly attributed to the cost of maintaining water and sewer, it stands to reason the city will be passing these costs along as well to the consumers.

 

Could the city have delayed these costs or made it easier for the public to absorb the increases? Those are good questions.

 

What do you think the city should do?

 

Is there any way out of this startling dilemma?