HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1992-062WHATC;OM COUNTY COUNCIL. ENDA BILL NO. )2 -248:
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office:
Agenda date
Assigned to:
Originator: Orig. name Wor dept —
lJ U tiJ u
AUG 2 7 IM
WHATCOM COUNTY
COUNCIL
COUNCIL
-.Intro o-
Division Head:
Resources /Council
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
Purchasing/Budget:
Executive:
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SUBJECT: ci
Public Utility District 1 Involvement in Domestic Water Supply Problems and Issues
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution requesting the PUD to adopt policies and develop Memorandums of Understandings with the County
regarding Satellite System Management, Receivership and water resource planning and coordination.
SUMMARY STATEMENT. Please complete sections of box as appropriate & explain the item below.
Related County contract #: For CONTRACTS or related
expenditures—
Should Clerk schedule a hearing? PLEASE fill in Y /N, date — NO /_/ YES /_/ Requested
date:
Amount budgeted for this item/ project: S —
Is it or will it be within budget? — YES / / NO / / lease explain below
Budget line item number(s): First line item #— , Second line item #—
vansuring safe, adequate supplies of drinking water for current and future residents of Whatcom County is
becoming increasingly difficult due to a wide variety of factors which include both quantity and quality concerns.
The county currently has about 310 public water systems many of which are already having difficulty remaining
in compliance with local, state and federal regulations; it is likely these problems will become greater as
regulatory requirements continue to increase. Inability to ensure safe supplies of water to an expanding
population has many consequences of both an immediate and long -term nature. One such consequence is that the
County will be named the Receiver of last resort for public water systems which the court determines are unable
to comply with public health and safety standards. The County is not currently capable of adequately addressing
the needs of systems placed in Receivership . The PUD may be capable of both helping public water systems to
remain viable through Satellite System Management actions and to address more effectively public systems placed
into receivership by acting as an agent for Whatcom County.
ORIGINATOR'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adoption of the resolution by the Council on September 8, 1992.
COMMITTEE ACTION TAKEN.
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN:
9/8/92: Council approved the resolution. 7 -0
Related Rile Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only): R92 -062
SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Executive
INTRODUCTION DATE: Sept. 1, 1992
RESOLUTION NO. 92 -062
A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE PROVISION OF WATER
AND WATER SERVICES
WHEREAS, Federal and State regulations and standards pertaining to drinking
water quality, water system operations, and water resources are imposing increased
responsibilities, restrictions, obligations, and costs upon water system owners and
operators; and
WHEREAS, the Growth Management Act requires the certification of adequate
individual and community water systems and the preparation of appropriate utility capital
facility plans; and
WHEREAS, water systems that do not comply with state and federal standards
represent a potential threat to public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County has approximately 310 public water systems, many
of which are having difficulty complying with existing regulations; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 43.70 RCW requires that counties become the receiver of
last resort for water systems within their boundaries that, according to the Department
of Health, have failed or are unable to comply with required health and safety standards
and regulations; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 43.70 RCW, Whatcom County ,is authorized to
contract to provide services to water systems in receivership; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 70.16 RCW, Whatcom County is directed to
designate qualified public water utilities to act as Satellite System Management Agencies;
and
WHEREAS, a satellite system management agency (SSMA) is an organization,
individual or other entity that is qualified to provide services such as operation,
maintenance, development, management or ownership of public water systems; and
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WHEREAS, satellite management agencies can be used as a means to prevent the
proliferation of potentially nonviable small new systems, and can provide a viable
institutional means to assist existing systems with problems, including those that may be
placed into receivership; and
WHEREAS, conflict regarding water rights and water availability is increasing in
Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS the PUD, in order to be an effective provider of water and water
services, must be significantly involved in regional water planning; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 70.16 RCW, the purpose of the Public Utility
District is to conserve the water resources of the county for the benefit of the people
thereof, and to provide public utility service, including water for residential, commercial,
and industrial uses; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 54.16 RCW, the Public Utility District may make
surveys, plans, investigations, or studies for the distribution or transmission of domestic,
industrial or irrigation water supply, and for matters and purposes reasonably incidental
thereto, within and without the district; and
WHEREAS, the Public Utility District may construct, purchase, condemn and
purchase, acquire, add to, maintain, conduct and operate water systems, within or without
its limits, for the purpose of furnishing the District, and the inhabitants thereof, and any
other persons including public and private corporations within or without its limits, with
an ample supply of water for all purposes, public and private, with full and exclusive
authority to sell, regulate and control the use, distribution and price thereof; and
WHEREAS, the County is the governmental agency responsible for the regional
planning and regulation of land use matters; and
WHEREAS, the County recognizes the Public Utility District as having the
authority to offer county -wide technical, managerial, operational, planning, and support
services needed to ensure the water resources of the county are effectively managed,
developed and provided;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the County wishes to work
cooperatively with the District to ensure the supply of safe, adequate drinking water and
to plan for future water supply needs; and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Members of the Whatcom County
Council request that the Public Utility District adopt policies and develop memorandums
of understanding with Whatcom County in order to serve the citizens of Whatcom County
in the following capacities:
1. As a Satellite System Management Agency for Whatcom County
2. As an agent for receivership of failed water systems in Whatcom County
3. As a participant in water resources planning and the coordination of water
services in order to facilitate. the PUD's role as a provider of water and
water services.
APPROVED THIS
ATTEST:
8th day of September 1992.
RAMONA REEVES
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
TCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
DANIEL M. N
CHAIRMAN
RANDALL J. TTS
CHIEF CIVIL D PUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
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