Jefferson PUD seeks to return to hydrant maintenance

PORT HADLOCK — The Jefferson County Public Utility District is looking for new ways to work with local government and fire districts to ensure that fire hydrants are kept in working order.

That could lead to a rate hike for customers.

Hydrants are tested during firefighter training, but otherwise are not maintained, PUD manager Jim Parker told commissioners Monday.

That’s been the case since a 2008 state Supreme Court decision in Lane v. the City of Seattle, which made it illegal for agencies to charge for maintenance on fire hydrants because hydrants were a “general benefit to everybody” and maintenance must be funded by a city or county general fund, Parker said.

Around this time the PUD obtained the Kala Point and Coyle water systems, but could not legally maintain or improve those fire systems since the money couldn’t be taken from customer rates.

However, that changed in 2013, when a new law allowed the PUD to charge customers for the maintenance but also clarified that they aren’t responsible should a hydrant not work.

The PUD hasn’t updated its plan for hydrant maintenance since the 2008 decision, and commissioners felt the issue should be revisited.

“It makes sense,” Parker said. “Why wouldn’t we want to keep those systems in check?”

Prior to 2008, the PUD worked under a coordinated water system plan, an agreement with area fire districts to perform maintenance on fire hydrants and share the cost.

“We’d like to maybe work with the fire districts since that worked well prior to 2008,” Parker said.

The total cost of PUD maintenance of the hydrants, pipes and pumps needed for fire suppression would be roughly $90,000 to $110,000 annually, with a potential rate increase of $2 to $3 per month, Parker said.

Parker estimated that the PUD could be responsible for maintenance on roughly 500 hydrants, which need to be maintained to keep them accessible, painted to keep them visible and tested to ensure they work in case of an emergency.

Parker said the commissioners agreed to schedule a workshop meeting July 17 to discuss their options.

“We could hire someone to work internally, but that could raise rates slightly,” Parker said.

A time and place for the July 17 workshop hasn’t been scheduled yet but is expected to be posted on the PUD’s website, http://www.jeff pud.org/, by Monday.

________

Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or atcmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

A public fireworks display at Carrie Blake Community Park on Independence Day, as pictured in 2022, will be discussed tonight at the Sequim City Council meeting. The discussion follows public requests to stop the display due to potential impact on wildlife and residents. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
Sequim council to hear analysis

Staff to discuss fireworks impacts

North Olympic Library System
North Olympic Library System representatives reported in late March that drywall was going up inside the renovated Sequim Library. However, delivery delays for some windows and other elements have pushed the facility’s opening to late July or early August.
Library expansion opening pushed to mid-summer

Custom elements’ deliveries delayed

Portion of Olympic Discovery Trail closed for three weeks

The city of Port Angeles has closed a portion… Continue reading

No training flights scheduled for this week

There will be no field carrier landing practice operations for… Continue reading

Fred Lundahl, a pilot from Whidbey Island, prepares to fuel up his 1968 Cessna Aerobat, named Scarlett, at the Jefferson County International Airport in Port Townsend. Lundahl was picking up his plane Wednesday from Tailspin Tommy’s Aircraft Repair facility located at the airport. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Fueling up

Fred Lundahl, a pilot from Whidbey Island, prepares to fuel up his… Continue reading

After hours pet clinic set for Peninsula

Opening June 6 at Sequim location

Five to be honored with community service awards

Ceremony set Thursday at Port Angeles Senior Community Center

PASD planning for expanding needs

Special education, homelessness, new facilities under discussion

Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Deputy Ed Bauck
Clallam Sheriff appoints animal control deputy

Position was vacant since end of 2024

Highway 104 road work to start week

Maintenance crews will repair road surfaces on state Highway… Continue reading

Supreme Court says no to recall reconsider

Sequim man found liable for legal fees