PACKWOOD — Packwood has always relied on individual septic systems for its wastewater treatment, but proponents of economic development are now pushing for the installation of a central sewer system, a costly step but one they say is essential for the community's future.
"Those of us concerned about keeping the town alive are interested in exploring the possibilities of a sewage treatment facility," said Destination Packwood President Maree Lerchen.
Because of Packwood's proximity to Mount Rainier and the White Pass ski area, Lerchen explained, "We have the potential to be a much busier place than we are. But without a sewer that can't happen."
Destination Packwood hired Gray and Osborne Inc., an engineering firm from Seattle, to prepare a wastewater facility plan, which will be presented at a public hearing Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Packwood Improvement Club. County commissioners will be present to hear public comments on the proposed plan.
"The question for Packwood as a whole is, do they want to see their community have sustainable economic development. If they do, they need a sewer system," said Lewis County Commissioner Eric Johnson.
Potential businesses aren't likely to choose a place without a sewer system because of the cost associated with putting in an industrial septic tank, according to Lerchen, who said a sewer facility would also allow existing businesses to expand. They can't now because there is no room for new septic systems on the existing lots.
"We're at full capacity," she said.
Business owners are further constrained by the stipulation that they bring their old septic tanks up to current code if they want to sell their site, which can be a substantial expense.
A sewer system would be the first step toward promoting economic growth, and would also alleviate the environmental risks caused by older septic tanks, according to septic system engineer Jim Brazil.
Many of Packwood's 400 on-site septic systems were installed before 1991, when Lewis County revised regulations governing wastewater treatment, and many of the systems are now considered environmentally unsound.
The soil in Packwood has a high gravel content, making septic tanks that discharge wastewater a hazard to the ground water supply, Brazil said.
"Gravel soil does not provide treatment for, i.e., doesn't filter, wastewater," he said. "But it does provide disposal. So water escapes very rapidly into the ground water without being treated," which contaminates the ground water.
"All the systems that were designed in the old days are leaking into the gravel," he added, explaining the systems he designs use a sand filter to prevent contamination.
Lot size requirements are another area where downtown Packwood's septic systems fail current regulations.
"Just about all the properties are undersized as per current regulations," he said.
For gravelly soil, a septic system would need to occupy a half-acre lot, but Brazil said the lots downtown are much smaller, making the risk for water contamination high.
"There are no reserve areas in case the septic tanks fail," Johnson agreed.
Although the aquifer from which many residents get their water shows no health risks, Brazil said people who rely on wells for their drinking water are more susceptible to water pollution, especially if their wells are shallow.
If it gets to the point of being considered a serious health hazard, the public health officer for the county could impose a moratorium on septic systems, according to Johnson.
Opponents of the project find the cost to be prohibitively high; advocates say the benefits outweigh the risks. But one decision that will affect cost figures is how broad an area the system would service if the plan were approved. Gray & Osborne's plan outlines three alternative plans, of varying degrees of scope and expense.
The cheapest and smallest proposed wastewater treatment facility, serving only the core of the downtown commercial area, would cost about $505,000 in capital, with an annual operation and maintenance cost of $1,600, according to the plan.
The next largest proposed facility would serve the community as far as U.S. Highway 12, with a capital cost of $1.1 million and an annual cost of $3,700. The third proposal would include the entire Packwood service area, handling 86,000 gallons per day of wastewater. The facility would cost $3.1 million in capital, with an annual cost of $24,000 for operation and maintenance.
The heaviest financial burden for homeowners would be the connection fee each alternative entails, which would be between $3,000 and $6,000 per household, according to Brazil.
The smallest facility would cost residents served by the system a monthly fee of about $70, if 80 percent of the project could be funded by grants.
"If we get better grants than that, it'll be less," Brazil said.
He explained the larger proposed facilities would actually be more cost-effective than the minimal option, since the cost would be diffused among a greater number of landowners. It would also allow the community more flexibility for future development.
Brazil added that sticking with the current network of individual septic systems will also pose a significant expense for homeowners.
"Replacing a septic system, which is what the majority would have to do, would be about $5,000 to $6,000 in today's dollars. In a few years it might be $7,000 to $8,000, and there's maintenance on them as well."
Since there is an obvious cost involved, Lerchen argues that residents need to decide what they want the community to become.
"We're stifled right now," she said.
In order for Packwood to get a sewer system, it needs to be classified as an Urban Growth Area (UGA) by the county.
"You can't deliver urban services, including sewer service, outside a UGA," under the Growth Management Act, said Johnson. Packwood residents must answer the question, "should there even be a UGA for Packwood, and if so, what should be the geographic boundaries. That's something the community needs to work with the county to discern."
Another option for Packwood is to decide to incorporate, he said.
"Public infrastructure is one of the vital components of economic development. Whether it's a road, sewer, water, storm water systems — whatever the infrastructures are, they have to be in place in order to have economic development," Johnson said.
The success or failure of the sewer proposal will depend upon how Packwood residents envision the community's future, and whether they are willing to pay for the potential for development.
Jennifer Latson covers rural Lewis County, South Thurston County and East Grays Harbor County for The Chronicle. She may be reached at 807-8245, or by e-mail at jlatson@chronline.com.
