Permit limits, not plant performance, drive Cashmere wastewater discussion

CASHMERE — City officials are working with Crunch Pak and state regulators after recent permit exceedances revealed that Cashmere's wastewater treatment plant is receiving more industrial load than it is currently authorized to handle, even though operators say the facility continues to perform effectively.

The issue surfaced after the Washington Department of Ecology flagged permit violations related to influent loading. That's the amount of organic material entering the city's wastewater treatment plant. According to representatives from utility operator Woodard & Curran, the plant has continued to meet treatment standards and has shown no signs of operational stress.

"We're not having treatment issues," Woodard & Curran Area Manager Chris McMahon told the Cashmere City Council on June 8.

McMahon explained that the exceedances involve the plant's permitted design capacity rather than its actual ability to process wastewater. He said the facility currently operates using treatment methods that are more efficient than those originally contemplated when the plant was designed.

"Operationally, we're not seeing any issues," he said.

The discussion centered largely on industrial wastewater generated by Crunch Pak, which McMahon said accounts for more than 80 percent of the organic loading entering the facility. City staff are scheduled to meet with company representatives to discuss possible solutions, including changes to discharge timing that could reduce peak loads reaching the plant.

The conversation highlighted the balance between supporting one of Cashmere's largest employers while ensuring the city remains in compliance with state regulations.

Councilmember Jeff Johnson said maintaining that balance requires the city to retain control over decisions that ultimately affect its permits and regulatory responsibilities.

"The city is the license holder," Johnson said during the discussion. "We have to be in control of our own destiny."

Johnson emphasized that while communication and cooperation with industrial users are important, the city must also understand and utilize any contractual mechanisms available to address violations that could be attributed to the municipality rather than the private company generating the discharge.

City staff and Woodard & Curran representatives indicated that they view the issue as manageable and are pursuing several potential paths forward.

One possibility is seeking a revision to the plant's permitted capacity. McMahon noted that the facility currently appears capable of treating more load than its existing permit allows, though additional study would likely be required before Ecology would consider modifying those limits.

Another option would involve working with Crunch Pak to spread wastewater discharges more evenly throughout the week, reducing spikes that trigger permit exceedances.

Mayor Jim Fletcher and Director of Operations Steve Croci both described the relationship with Crunch Pak as collaborative, and council members repeatedly characterized the company as an important community partner.

The city has already scheduled updates to its wastewater master plan as part of this year's capital planning process. Officials said that work may help determine whether future permit modifications, operational changes or facility improvements are necessary as Cashmere continues to grow.

For now, council members appeared less concerned about the plant's ability to treat wastewater than about ensuring the city's regulatory framework keeps pace with the realities of operating a modern treatment facility alongside a major food-processing employer.

"We need to communicate with Crunch Pak," Croci said. "I don't think that's going to be a huge fix for us."

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media