As we drove through Chinook the other day, a large “BOIL WATER” sign caught my eye and, though I don’t know what is going on there, I was full of sympathy. Last year about this time Oysterville, too, was under orders to boil water and we’ve been in a world of hurt ever since.
Our little water co-op is now required (by the State) to chlorinate the water so, for starters, our water doesn’t taste quite the same as it always has before. It’s not bad; it’s just not the same. All her life my mother would say, “There’s nothing like good Oysterville water.” I’m not sure she would think so anymore.
In addition, we are facing big, expensive system upgrades – not yet required by the State, but soon… In anticipation of that, and to repay cash reserves used up in trying to discover the source of our water problems, we are facing a 300% (almost) increase in our annual water rate. That’s a hefty amount, even though the part-time users tell us our rates are “cheap” by comparison to other places.
Then there is the matter of “equity.” As I understand it, we have about 70 water hook-ups and they are divided just about equally between full-time occupants and part-time occupants. We all pay the same basic rate, though there is a per-cubic-foot “conservation charge” for those who use over the basic amount.
When our water co-op was formed and we all ponied up a hefty amount as start-up costs, we agreed that we would not pay for water. Our monthly bill pays for the system and for its maintenance. Water is free.
But, of course, part-time users feel that’s unfair. Full-time users argue that the system has to be in place and operating no matter how much or how little water one uses. Part-time users say that full-time users should pay more. Full-time users say that part-timers have a choice – they can live here full-time if they want. And some of us remember when the yearly fee was only $25 – before the State got into it. And on it goes.
At our annual meetings there is always much discussion, often heated, about the basic charge that was calculated to cover ‘normal’ usage for full-time residents. There is a surcharge for usage over that basic amount to encourage water conservation which we all agree is a universal responsibility. For irrigation purposes, most of us have our own wells, although I know of one person who just pays the overage, no matter how much.
When my mother was a girl the well water that we now use just for watering the garden was the only water they had. This household was lucky, because the well water was wonderful. In fact, the neighbors came and pumped a bucket or two each day for their drinking purposes, as it was superior to their own. The old pump is still there. Only the handle is missing.
I’ve inquired about going back to using that well water but, as I understand it, if there is a State-approved water system within so many feet of your residence, you cannot use your own well water except for irrigation or non-consumption purposes. Or maybe it’s just that you cannot dig a new well. Either way, we still need to pay the piper (so to speak)…
It does seem ridiculous that in this place of 100 inches of annual rainfall and a water table that in most places is only a few feet below the surface, our water has become such an issue. I hope Chinook can work out their current problems with less angst than we are having,
Sydney…we are fortunate here in Chinook. After much discussion many, many years ago…a new water system was installed…that was when sidewalks were put in… And that was even a bigger discussion with some believing that the deep ditches on each side of the road were part of the “charm” of Chinook. Anyway…the problem was a water main break…within two days all was fixed and approval of our water quality given. Thanks for your good thoughts
I understand the temptation to use your own well, but don’t you wonder how safe the water is anymore? I’m on a community well in Thurston County, and the wellhead is just a few blocks away, but with all the renters in my neighborhood–and all the septic systems–I can’t help but wonder how many of the renters are aware that whatever they flush eventually ends up in the water table (although I have no many years how long “eventually” is in this case). Part of the problem around southern Puget Sound inlets and water quality is all the older, failing septic systems leaching pollution into the waters of the Sound. Of course, you don’t have the population we do here, but given the importance of water quality to the oystering folks on Willapa Bay, I know it’s been discussed. I don’t know. When I look at Peninsula properties that have individual wells versus being on community systems, I think about the tradeoff between water quality and cost–and also, what do you do in a prolonged power outage? Good heavens, it was easier in your mother’s day–in some ways!
Nope,. Not worried a bit. It goes without saying that we would have it tested before taking the (ahem) plunge and periodically thereafter. I had my own well when I lived on the bayshore south of Oysterville and, as a matter of fact, when the Espy Compoany put in their well (which is now the Oysterville Water Co.) tthe State said it needed to test up to the standard that mine was. And it did. That was in 1978. My only worry about the well at this family house is that the water has an extremely high iron content and it stains porcelain sinks and toilets etc. Our plumber tells us there are filters that will take care of that problem, though they may be spendy. We are waiting to see how well all of us Oysterville Water folks manage to solve our problems and at what cost…
Was the source of the contamination last year ever identified. If not, that’s worrysome since it could come back.
Perhaps if the source could be absolutely identified and corrected, there would be no need for chlorine.
Each time I leave the community, I’m surprised by the bad taste of “city water”. Of course the population density hasn’t changed much in the last few year, but if (probably when) it does we will have to deal with these problems here on the ridge.
P.S. I enjoyed the going away party last weekend.
If you want to get the chlorine taste out of your water get a Brita filter. It goes without saying that in Ilwaco, where the water turns yellow in August but started early this year, we are grateful for our filter in the refrigerator. When we lived in Nahcotta we loved the water we got from OP. My mother declared it the best in the world although for some reason she liked the water when she was in the hospital in Oakland, CA in the 80s. Go figure.