Two Towns Get Handle On Sewage Flap Pact Gives Post Falls Control Of Plant, Keeps Rathdrum Flush

Rathdrum and Post Falls are putting the finishing touches on a sewer deal intended to end the cities’ longstanding squabble over whether Rathdrum is flushing too much.

“I think that we’ve finally come to the end,” said Rathdrum Mayor Tawnda Bromley.

“It’s going to be a good thing for both cities.”

The Rathdrum and Post Falls city councils approved the plan at a special joint council meeting in Rathdrum. After attorneys review the document, both councils are expected to OK it at their next meetings.

The agreement gives Post Falls control of the Post Falls sewage treatment plant, used by both cities.

It also guarantees Rathdrum 20 percent of the plant’s capacity.

Rathdrum uses about 16 percent now, but an expansion is under way to increase the plant’s capacity by more than a third.

The agreement replaces a 6-year-old contract that had led to a running dispute over how much sewage Rathdrum could pipe to the Post Falls plant.

Post Falls contended that Rathdrum was only allowed to send 153,000 gallons of sewage per day. Rathdrum now sends 225,000 to 250,000 gallons.

“It was so vague. Post Falls’ interpretation was totally different from Rathdrum’s,” said Bob Lloyd, Rathdrum’s public works director.

“Instead of us going down there and arguing with them, we’ll follow the formula.”

Both cities have grown rapidly, pushing the plant to near-capacity. Construction is now under way to boost sewage capacity from 1.8 million gallons a day to 3.2 million gallons.

The agreement saves Rathdrum from having to build its own $8 million to $12 million sewage treatment plant, city public works director Bob Lloyd said.

Still, he said, the city will likely keep the 314 acres it bought in June for a sewage treatment site.

The agreement won’t raise sewer rates for Rathdrum, Lloyd said.

, DataTimes