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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1418 ResolutionRESOLUTION NO. 1418 A RESOLUTION relating to the Appeal of the Pollution Control Hearings Board Decision upholding the Department of Ecology's Order Directing the City to Build Settling Basins WHEREAS, the Department of Ecology ordered the City to reduce the settleable solids in the water that it backwashes into the Columbia River from its water filtration plant to such a level that would require the construction of two settling basins at a cost of approximately $500,000, half of which would be bornetty the rate-payers of the City of Pasco, and the other half would be funded through a government grant; WHEREAS, the settleable solids backwash consists of solids that are otherwise naturally suspended in the Columbia River and are collected because the City filters the water its citizens drink prior to that water being treated so that it is potable; WHEREAS, the City has had a study performed which concludes on a preliminary basis that no actual harm is being done to the quality of the water in the Columbia River or to its aquatic life as a result of the City's backwashing of its filter since approx- imately 1949; WHEREAS, the City appealed the Order of the Department of Ecology to the Pollution Control Hearings Board and the Pollution Control Hearings Board sustained the Department of Ecoloav's Order; --, WHEREAS, it would be in the public interest c:o'fi the citizens of the City of Pasco and other taxpayers to not have to construct this expensive and apparently unnecessary facility; WHEREAS, the Department of Ecology has never stated or been able to show any harm to the Columbia River or its aquatic life as a result of the City's backwashing of its filter in its water treatment plant and, in fact, has refused to permit the consideration of such evidence; NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO: Section 1. That City staff is hereby authorized and directed to proceed with an appeal of the Decision of the Pollution Control Hearings Board to a Superior Court of the State of Washington as permitted by law. 0. Wells, City Clerk PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco this 16th day of March , 1981, by a vote of (1) yes to (0) no. E. A Snider, Mayor ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: - 2 _