Harrington receives grant for water leak

HARRINGTON- Mayor Jess Silhan announced the city received a grant of $750,700 from the Washington State Department of Ecology at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 10.

In the middle of June a concerned citizen came to Mayor Jess Silhan due to three inches of standing water on their property.

Upon further investigation the council found standing water on the hillside by the railroad tracks.

At the end of June the city was able to dig up the leak to investigate further.

Silhan said the ground was so soft their backhoe got stuck three times.

He said by the end of July the current repair is holding for now.

The city’s goal is to have the repairs completed before winter to have more stability.

Silhan thanked Janice Meats, Executive Director of the Lincoln County EDC, Lincoln County Commissioners Mark Stedman and Rob Coffman and many others who assisted in obtaining the grant.

He also gave thanks to the contractors that have been working on this project since the beginning.

The council tabled a discussion that dealt with a indescrepencies with checks and balances.

Lincoln County Sheriff candidate Brian Telford introduced himself to the council and stayed after for any questions.

Stedman visited the council to inform them of the Columbia Basin Sustainable Water Coalition.

He informed them that the golf course was not interested in water rights.

Stedman talked about the cost and how much it would increase the water bills.

The council countered that citizens would be concerned about the rise of rates if they decide to accept the grant and project.

Stedman presented the proposed contract to the council.

The project would take a year to complete.