1981 08 04 SS3169
STUDY SESSION
WATER/SEWER RATES &INTERNATIONAL TITANIUM
August 4,1981
INTERNATIONAL TITANIUM /o$y
Joseph K.Gavinski,City Manager,stated that he would like to bring the Council up
to date on the discharge permit for International Titanium.
Robert Townsend,Public Works Director,stated that the city is reviewing a draft
permit at this time and it should be mailed to CH2M Hill and International Titanium
this Thursday.After CH2M Hill and ITI have a chance to review it,another meeting
will probably be scheduled to discuss differences.The final determination should
be brought back to Council within 2 or 3 weeks.
Mr.Shinn stated that the impact on the sewage treatment plant as well as the lake
must be considered.He wanted to know if ITI had considered alternatives besides
discharging into the city system.
Mr.Gavinski stated that the subject of the lake is still being studied and he did
not feel there were any concrete answers at this time.
Mr.Townsend stated that the DOE is looking at the irrigation water concept of the
lake and what effect it could have on the farmers.The report by STRAAM does not
really address the irrigation effect of the discharge to the lake but DOE is look
ing at it.
John Arnquist from DOE in Spokane stated that they are in agreement with what
STRAAM and the city is looking at as far as the draft permit is concerned.He
stated that DOE is looking into the impact the sodium would have on Pelican Horn
and the irrigation water used from Pelican Horn.No final conclusion has been
reached yet.
Mr.Swanson wanted to know about the discharge of the other ITI plants in the
United States.It was pointed out that one of them discharges into Lake Mead which
has its outlet in the Colorado River and the other is in Ohio and discharges into a
large city system.
Mr.Edwards stated that,according to the comparison presented,Carnation discharges
twice as much as ITI but ITI shows four times more salt.He wanted to know if the
damage to the pipes was on a one to one basis or proportionately.George Maddox
stated that the level of chloride discharged into the system would affect pump
stations and the treatment plant metallic components and the corrosion rate could
increase up to 150%greater than at present.However,the rate of corrosion today
is not known.
Mr.Townsend stated that the corrosion rate could be determined by installing a
detection system in ITI's stream and also in a comparative waste water stream.
Mr.Swanson felt that the engineering firms and staff should get together and get
the questions answered and inform Council of the result.
Mr.Gavinski stated that a meeting has been scheduled for noon on Thursday in the
Port Room at the Terminal Building to discuss industrial waste in general.
WATER/SEWER RATES
J&03
Robert Townsend,Public Works Director,explained the breakdowns presented to the
Council on the different water/sewer rates proposed.
There was considerable discussion by the Council and several citizens on the dif
ferent alternatives presented by the Public Works Director.The possibility of a
bond issue was also discussed.
Mr.Shinn requested Council consider placing a surcharge on the water and sewer
accounts for the remainder of the 1981 year to bring the water/sewer account up to
the point where the fund will be in balance.He pointed out that the city has lost
its chance to bring the fund into balance since the heavy watering season is about
over,and this could place the bonds in jeopardy.He stated that the city will
probably be written up by the auditor if the fund is not brought into balance.
3170
Mr.Swanson felt the Council should be careful about doing something like this.
Walt Fry,Finance Director,stated that some action needs to be taken by the Coun
cil as the city is going to be in bad shape as far as the bonds are concerned.
Another study session was set for Monday,August 10,at 8 p.m.
~