Politics & Government
Letter to the Editor: Woodinville Mayor Explains City's Sewer Authority
The county and the water district, not the city, determine when property owners must hook up to a sewer line.
To: Woodinville Patch
From: Bernie Talmas
Subject: Sewer Connections
Find out what's happening in Woodinvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Date: September 21, 2011
Based on our city council meeting last night [Sept. 20], it appears that there is confusion among the public regarding the positions of public agencies concerning sewer service and connection requirements.
Find out what's happening in Woodinvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The entire City of Woodinville is within an Urban Growth Area (UGA), and sewers are allowed, but not required. Whether or not a property in Woodinville is required to connect to an available public sewer system is up to the Woodinville Water District. The Water District has the power to compel property owners to connect to the public sewer system under RCW 57.08.005(9). The Water District recently passed Resolution 3725 which states “a property owner may be required to connect the owner’s premises to the District sewer system when a public health authority … requires the connection …or there is an overriding issue of public interest.”
In Director True’s September 13, 2011 letter that she wrote on behalf of King County, she states that the King County Wastewater Treatment Division cannot require connection to the sewer system. While she is technically correct that the County Wastewater Treatment Division cannot require connection to the sewer system, she neglected to mention that the County Health Department can require the connection as a “public health authority.” As a King County official she could have been more complete in her letter.
Outside of the UGA, the King County Countywide Planning Policy (CPP) generally prohibits the extension of a public sewer system. Recently the Suburban Cities Association (SCA) voted to support a change to the CPP that would allow the extension of sewer lines to rural area properties currently owned by public school districts and intended to be developed as schools. This change has not yet been approved by King County. Questions about this policy should be directed to your King County representative.
Bernie Talmas
Mayor
City of Woodinville
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.