On March 29, 2011 a meeting was hosted by Paul Kamin of the Eastsound Water Users Association for the benefit of the neighbors living west of Blanchard Road in Eastsound.  The meeting alerted everyone in the community about continuing concerns for sanitary protection of the Orcas Island water supply and specifically the EWUA wells in that area.  Increasing measurement of nitrates in the well water suggest that aging septic drainfields nearby could result in critical contamination of the community’s water source.

The ESWD has been requested by Mr. Kamin to support a EWUA initiative to provide sewer service to this area.  As this area is outside the UGA, the ESWD is unable to pro-actively provide sewer service unless a health emergency exists and is declared by the County Health Department, or the State Dept. of Health. Presently such an emergency has not been declared and therefore ESWD is legally unable to provide sewer service to this area outside the UGA.

The ESWD will continue to work with EWUA and the homeowners in this area to attempt to develop a mutually acceptable plan for providing sewer service. The public should not view a plan as imminent  nor has the practicality of such a plan to provide sewer service to this area been determined.  Should the homeowners, the EWUA and ESWD not come to a viable plan, the ESWD will not extend a sewer main into this area until such a time as the UGA is extended to include this area, should that ever occur.

As is our mandate, the ESWD will continue to focus on connecting all residences and commercial facilities inside the UGA. The Commissioners of the Eastsound Sewer and Water District welcome all inquiries about the District’s facilities and services.

Board of Commissioners

Eastsound Sewer and Water District