$34,000 fine for water system near Monroe

Published 10:28 pm Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The owner of a small public water system near Monroe faces a fine of more than $34,000 — one of the largest ever assessed by the state Department of Health — for what the state agency says is gross negligence and intentional violations of drinking water rules.

The health department said it also plans to revoke for one year the license of Conrad Elledge, the owner and operator of the Mount Forest Water System.

The water system serves 27 homes in unincorporated Snohomish County south of Monroe and 3.5 miles north of the King County line.

Elledge said he will appeal the fine and the revocation of his license.

“The relationship with the state Department of Health might not be too good, but the water quality is fine,” Elledge said.

“What I’m saying is the charges are exaggerated or unfounded … If I’m doing something wrong, I’ll comply.”

The license revocation will be put on hold until the appeal is concluded, said Rich Sarver, a manager in the office that oversees drinking water issues for the state Department of Health.

The fine of $34,240, the third largest issued in the last 20 years, also is on hold until the case is resolved.

“We’ve been working with him for a very long time,” said Caroline Cox, a Department of Health spokeswoman. “It’s the pattern of repeated violations and neglect that got us to this place.”

When monitoring isn’t conducted, “you don’t know what your water quality is,” she said. And when there’s not adequate water pressure, contaminants can get into the water line. “That creates a public health problem,” she said.

Many of the issues involve failure to monitor and “find out what actually is in his water,” Sarver said.

The water system has previously been cited by the state agency for a number of violations, including failing to: provide adequate water pressure, causing frequent outages; monitor for bacteria and other contaminants; respond to consumer complaints; and notify customers of water quality and water monitoring violations as required by federal law.

The water system was approved in January 1989. Department of Health records show employees have contacted Elledge a number of times since 1992 about both complaints from customers and failure to sample for water contaminants.

Elledge said that the water system has a single well as its source of water.

“Don’t allow this to be a panic about the water,” Elledge said. “It’s wonderful water — high quality, delicious tasting.”

About 18 months ago, there were two to three breakdowns in a short period of time, he said. “That made people unhappy.”

The problem was caused by an aging system, he said. An extra charge has been added to help pay for facility improvements.

Water systems are limited on what they can charge but the state keeps adding testing and service requirements, Elledge said.

“In this particular circumstance, there is no health hazard of any sort,” he added.

Herald reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486, salyer@heraldnet.com.