The Wahkiakum County PUD Commissioners met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday morning, June 2. The commissioners voted to discontinue fluoridation in the Cathlamet water system, approving Resolution No. 1313 after months of public discussion and polling that officials said showed roughly 60 percent of customers opposed it. “We’ve learned a lot of information from both sides of the discussion,” said Commissioner Dennis Reid. “We are out of the fluoride business.”
PUD General Manager Day Kay provided an update of the ongoing work within the Skamokawa sewer system. Kay noted that septic pumping is underway for roughly half of the customer base while Gray & Osborne continues work on a grant-funded general sewer plan. Much of the recent work has focused on identifying and reducing infiltration and inflow issues, often referred to as “I&I,” where stormwater enters the wastewater system through leaks, cracks, or improperly connected drains. “Stormwater is not supposed to go into the wastewater system,” Kay said. Reducing excess stormwater in the system could improve capacity and help avoid the need for larger future expansions.
PUD Director of Finance Shelby Garrett reported that the Wahkiakum PUD has secured approximately $4.8 million in infrastructure funding over roughly four years, with 83 percent of that funding coming from grants and 17 percent from low-interest loans. A total of $183,000 went to all water systems under the Wahkiakum PUD, which includes things like cybersecurity improvements and EV charging infrastructure. Around $2.4 million has been allocated to Puget Island projects, including the development of the new well. The western Wahkiakum and Skamokawa systems have received $1.6 million in funding. The Cathlamet Water System received $160,000, and the Cathlamet Wastewater System received $340,000.
During the second public comment period, Wahkiakum Fair Board Manager Crystal Baker invited the Wahkiakum PUD to have a presence at the Wahkiakum County Fair this year. Megan Blackburn Friend invited the public to view the University of Washington students’ community design projects on Friday, June 5, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Johnson House.
Original article online at: https://theeagle.news/2026/06/04/commissioners-voted-to-discontinue-fluoridation-in-the-cathlamet-water-system/