NEWS:

March Newsletter
1500 Scenic Way, Clarkston, WA(509) 758-1010
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30AM to 4:30PM

Coronavirus Information

Customer Support Program

Paying Your Utility Bill

Due to the office closure, payments can be made by calling customer service at 509-758-1010, online, by mail or placed in the payment drop box located at the PUD office at 1500 Scenic Way (by the flag pole).

Meters will continue to be read on a regular basis and billing statements will continue to be delivered as currently scheduled.  Late fees, charges and shut-offs on delinquent accounts have been suspended until further notice. 

As your local nonprofit public utility, we ask that customers who can pay their monthly bill please continue to do so. This will help us maintain business continuity while providing flexibility to those most impacted by the pandemic.  We understand many customers are experiencing financial hardship, so our Customer Service staff is available during regular business hours of 7:30 to 4:30, Monday through Friday at 509-758-1010 to answer questions and to discuss payment arrangements.  While customers are still obligated to pay for water service fees and charges and for monthly sewer billing, we will be as flexible and as reasonable as possible with payment arrangements.

Utility Bill Financial Assistance is Now Available

  • The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Disaster Cash Assistance Program(DCAP) is available to Washington residents regardless of citizenship status and does not require applicants to provide a Social Security number.
  • Eligible households will receive their DCAP benefits for one month in a 12-month period during an emergency. The benefit amount depends on household size, income and need, ranging from a maximum of $363 for a single person to a maximum of $1,121 for a household of eight or more people.
  • Once approved, customers will receive their DCAP benefits on an existing Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, card or a new EBT card will be sent via U.S. Mail. 
  • Customers can apply for DCAP online at WashingtonConnection.organd then call the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 to complete the required interview. Customers can also call 877-501-2233 to complete the entire application process over the phone.   DSHS asks that customers call before 11 a.m. and to keep in mind that the busiest call times are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Bill assistance is available from local agencies.  If you are in need of assistance, contact PUD customer service staff and they will direct you to the appropriate agency.

Board of Commissioner Meetings via Teleconference

Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 20-28 temporarily prohibits in-person contacts with the public that are required by the Open Public Meetings Act.  It is effective until further notice.  

A conference call-in line has been set up for each commission meeting during this timeframe to allow remote public attendance.  Commission meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.  Agendas for each meeting can be found here.  Agendas include the call-in number and access code.

During the duration of the Governor’s proclamation, matters of the agenda must be necessary and routine or necessary to respond to the outbreak and current public health emergency. 

We appreciate you patience during these unprecedented times.

Protecting Your Building’s Water Quality as we Recover from COVID-19

Many commercial buildings are closed to the public or have limited access in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.  For building owners, it is important to ensure they are ready to reoccupy once the pandemic subsides. Water that sits stagnant for an extended period of time in water mains, building plumbing lines and water heaters decreases water quality and becomes susceptible to waterborne pathogens like Legionella.  The PUD monitors, disinfects and flushes its water system to ensure public safety; however, the building’s plumbing system is the responsibility of building owners.

The PUD is suggesting the minimum actions to improve water quality:

  • Flush the entire building water system to replace all the water.
  • Flush cold and hot water through all points of use (e.g., showers, sink faucets).
  • During flushing operate all valves in the fully open position.
  • Remove all aerator screens before flushing.
  • Clean or replace aerator screens before reinstalling. 

Below are guidance documents from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The focus of these guidance documents is to improve water quality in your building and eliminate waterborne pathogen concerns that occur when there is a large drop or no building water use.

If you have questions about water quality, please contact Director of Operations Craig Riehle at (509) 758-1010 or criehle@asotinpud.org.

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Location:
1500 Scenic Way | PO Box 605 | Clarkston, WA
Directions
Hours:
Mon - Fri 7:30AM to 4:30PM