Water: City trumps County

For years, the City of Ocean Shores and Grays Harbor County have been playing what might be called “water poker.” The City has been debating whether to pump resources into improving its own water system, or going with the County’s new Hogan’s Corner wells.

On Monday, the game was dealt a wild card:  The Department of Health announced Ocean Shores received preliminary approval for a $2.9 million grant to upgrade its water. (Click here for complete list of recipients.)

A no-pay-back check for up to half of the project cost would seem to make the City’s hand unbeatable. 

Then again . . .  Ocean Shores could “fall off” the DOH list, worried Mayor Dean Bunkers. 

Ultimately, the wild card made the City’s hand a winner. City Council voted 4-2 (Nick Johnson was absent) to proceed with construction of a new treatment facility. Dave Creighton and Garland French were dissenters in a vote that told the County to keep its water, for now, at least.

“I’m disappointed the County didn’t get the chance to make another presentation,” said Mike Olden, an engineering consultant with the County.

Saying “We’ve been trying to help the city for 10 years,” Olden spoke to council before the vote. He said the County would be open to more testing (thought not to the extent many council members were pushing for), and gave his view of the costs:

The City up-grade: $6 million cost up front, $300,000 operating costs per year.

The City buying from the County: $3.7 million cost up front; plus $240,000-250,000 operating costs.

Before the vote came a blood-pressure raising “healthy debate” (read: heated, angry discussion) between Council members over which way to proceed.

During discussion, Creighton raised the concern that the County wells have not been tested long enough, and could run dry.

 French insisted the County has shown they have plenty of water supply.

“They haven’t proven it,” said Skewis.

“Yes they have,” French answered.

“Having a permit to pump water and proof to pump water are two different things. We have asked them to show us repeatedly . . .  They basically thumbed their nose at us,” Bob Crumpacker said.

“They have not — that’s far-fetched,” French countered, getting a warning from Bunkers for interrupting Crumpacker.

Bunkers said he could see both sides of the issue. “We don’t have a great track record in this city with water,” the mayor said, drawing unintended chuckles.

Still, he urged council for ammunition to take to the State Public Works Board, which will make final decisions on April 7.

A public meeting on the issue will take place Friday, April 3 at 10 a.m. at the DOH Tumwater office (243 Israel Road SE).