Oak Lodge bond on ballot

Plant GM says bond will actually save money for ratepayers

By Matthew Graham

The Clackamas Review, Oct 20, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

ADVERTISEMENTS

<< Prev. Page 1 | 2

If passed, the general obligation bonds would not be a property tax but would be paid by an increase in each resident’s sewer bill.

The district has been fined for spilling sewage into the Willamette, including one incident on July 25 of this year, when 7,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into the river, according to the Department of Environmental Quality.

Board President Paul Savas said the district looked at a few options — upgrading the plant with a high-tech membrane system, consolidating with Clackamas County Service District #1, which provides sewage treatment for Happy Valley, Milwaukie and portions of unincorporated North Clackamas or keeping a traditional system but upgrading it.

The board decided it would be cheaper to remain independent, and the residents voted by about four-to-one in 2005 not to join Clearwater, an earlier county push to regionalize wastewater treatment. It also decided membrane technology wouldn’t be as effective as the “cannibal technology” currently employed.

Read said that in the cannibal system, bacteria are present in the system and they eat or break down waste.

“The bacteria are stressed and starving and, it’s not fully understood yet, but because of those conditions, you have the greatest chance of breaking down pharmaceuticals and personal care products,” Read said.

The option for the general obligation bonds will be on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Construction is expected to begin in February.

<< Prev. Page 1 | 2