Laserfiche WebLink
KITTITAS COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: August 11,2026 <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Informational discussion regarding the long-term future of the <br />County's septage lagoon system. <br />BACKGROUND: Kittitas County Solid Waste operates the County's septage <br />lagoon system, which is currently at capacity. The system <br />depends on periodically removing accumulated septage and land <br />applying the material. The County may lose the ability to land <br />apply within approximately three years, requiring another <br />method of treatment, transport, or disposal. Because major <br />infrastructure takes significant time to plan, permit, finance, and <br />construct, staff is raising the issue now to begin discussion <br />regarding the County's long-term role. <br />DISCUSSION: The County will need to consider the long-term feasibility of <br />continuing to operate the septage lagoons. Potential alternatives <br />would require significant capital investment and increased <br />operating expenses, which would likely result in substantially <br />higher septage rates. Even with this investment, the County <br />could not guarantee a permanent solution because future <br />operations would remain subject to permitting requirements and <br />disposal limitations. Beginning this discussion now provides <br />time to evaluate whether continued County operation will <br />remain sustainable over the long term. <br />FISCAL IMPACT: Any County -funded alternative would require capital planning <br />and, because the system is supported by user fees, would place <br />upward pressure on septage rates. <br />RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the long-term future of the septage lagoon system. No <br />formal action is requested. <br />ATTACHMENTS: None <br />LEAD STAFF: Jesse Cox, Solid Waste Director <br />