Temporarily, there will be minimal rate changes. Starting August 1, 2025, there is no longer out-of-town water rates. All water customers will have the same lower rate whether in-town or out-of-town.

At this time, Wahkiakum PUD commissioners temporarily adopted the Town's current in-town water and existing sewer rates while we conduct a rate study to calculate the required revenue to cover the expenses needed to operate and maintain the system. Over the next 6-12 months, Wahkiakum PUD will be completing a thorough rate study.

A rate study is the tool used to calculate the required revenue to cover the expenses needed to operate and maintain the system. The Consolidation Study, as well as the Town’s water system plan, state the Town is currently underfunding its infrastructure. If the PUD acquires the Town’s water system, the PUD would conduct a rate study to determine the cost of providing service to the Town’s customers and any rate change would be reviewed and voted on by the PUD Commissioners. Without a rate study, it is not possible to determine the percentage of a potential rate increase.

The Town Council is the only entity with the authority to approve tax increases. In the event of a consolidation of the water utilities, the Town would need to perform an analysis of its revenue sources and costs to provide services to the community to determine if additional revenue is needed. Any utility taxes currently paid by water utility customers would continue to be paid to the Town through the PUD’s utility bills to support the Town’s general fund expenses.

Our analysis shows that the water and wastewater systems are a burden on the Town, especially with the unfunded, necessary infrastructure upgrades, and that the Town would potentially prosper. The Town’s lack of infrastructure funding is leading it on a trajectory to receivership. At that point, the State of Washington will mandate the utility systems be turned over to a receiving entity such as the PUD. The PUD is concerned that once the system is in receivership, the system will be in failure mode, costs will be exponentially higher, State funding will not be available, and the PUD may be forced to take over the Town’s utility systems. At this point, it would be a much more expensive endeavor.

The PUD is concerned about the future of the Town’s utility systems due to unfunded infrastructure maintenance and improvements and is concerned about its solvency. If the water utilities were forced into receivership, the PUD may be forced by the State to take over the utilities. The PUD is in the utility business and based on its concerns over the future of the Town’s utilities, the PUD feels it is the appropriate time to move the consolidation forward while DOH Water System Rehabilitation and Consolidation (WSRC) funding is available to assist with the costs. This will minimize the impacts to the PUD operations and its customers.

Absolutely. Here is a brief list of the most recent projects.

• 2024: 6000-foot mainline looping project on Puget Island – COMPLETED

• 2024: 1700-foot mainline extension along N Hull Creek in Grays River – COMPLETED

• 2023: 5000-foot mainline extension along Mill Road in Rosburg – COMPLETED

• 2024: Puget Island Water System Well Site Development – IN PROCESS AND FUNDED

• 2024: Skamokawa Water System SR 4 Main Line Extension – IN PROCESS AND FUNDED

• 2024: 4000-foot mainline replacement Western Wahkiakum Water System along SR 4 – IN PROCESS AND FUNDED