Hard choices ahead for Colfax’s wastewater treatment plant

With Colfax under a “cease and desist” order for the final construction phase of its upgraded wastewater treatment plant, the City Council is grappling with two major issues – complying with the order by conducting a study of the city’s aging system and residents who don’t want to squander funds on yet another study.

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has ordered the city of Colfax to provide a base map of its sewer system and test the integrity of its pipes through a technique called “smoking.” They must also use small video cameras to visually inspect the pipelines.

“It seems like an exercise in futility to spend one-fifth of our (sewer) funds to smoke pipes,” said resident Jeff Williams. “ Can’t we use those funds for replacing the pipes instead of spending it on inspecting the pipes?”

City Manager Joan Phillipe said Colfax could face heavy fines if it doesn’t comply.

“In our ‘cease and desist’ order, it outlines our requirements and what we have to do,” she said. “We have 11 miles of sewer pipes under Colfax that are close to 100 years old. Some of them are made of clay (and) clay pipes weren’t meant to last 100 years.”

City Councilman Joshua Alpine explained that the city needs to comply with the order.

“Our collection system is in even more disrepair that we originally believed,” he said. “The state wants a full base map of sewer lines by a deadline. We can’t smoke the pipes in wet weather, so we need to make a decision quickly.”

Williams said he didn’t understand why all the decisions had to be made so quickly if the city has known about the problems and requirements for months.

“The wheels of government turn very slow,” said Mayor Sherrie Blackmun. “Jeff, I know you want to make this simple, but it isn’t. It’s complex and we’re mandated. If it were up to us, it would be simple.”

The city council put off its decisions regarding how to handle the sewer plant until a planned meeting in August.

Phillipe had presented the council with some options, including selling the plant to a private organization, contracting a company to run the plant or presenting another rate hike.

The city’s previous attempt to raise sewer rates was defeated.

“When does the will of the people (overrule the City Council)? How many times are you going to (try to raise rates)? Are you going to force your will on the people?” Williams asked.

Blackmun defended the city’s decisions and doubted another rate hike would be suggested.

“We are seriously listening to you people,” Blackmun said. “We tried it once and the people were vocal in their opposition. If we try it again, there will be outright revolt. (That’s) why we’re having these brainstorming sessions.”

More meetings regarding the wastewater treatment plant will be held on Aug. 12 and Aug. 26, one of which will include representatives from the water board, according to Alpine.

“The cities are under enormous pressure from state water boards. We’re at a crossroads. (Actually), we’re in the crosshairs. I can’t wait for the water board to be here to see what they are mandating on these small towns,” he said.