County could take over well inspections

July 21st, 2006

KONP News

(Port Angeles, WA) -- Clallam County officials will put together a plan later this year that could have the county inspecting wells.

Right now the state Department of Ecology handles that as well as other activites related to wells.

But a watershed planning committee meeting over the past five years has recommended the county get more involved.

County Environmental Health Director Andy Brastad says state law allows the county to employ people to inspect new and decommissioned wells.

Brastad says the county would get reimbursed from the state if the plan goes into effect. The state only has one person to inspect wells.

Brastad says local inspectors could be advantageous for the county. There are still questions about extra fees that might be charged local well drillers and whether or not they would support such a program.

Brastad says he and county commissioner Steve Tharinger will be developing a work plan on the issue late this year and early next year. He says it may be at least another year before any inspection program could be in place even if it is approved.