The Washington Department of Health is fining the owner of the water system that serves the Columbia Crest Estates housing development near Kalama more than $21,000, saying that he’s not properly maintaining the system, and isn’t addressing ongoing problems with arsenic. DOH officials say that the 22 customers of the system have been under a “boil water” advisory since June 2nd, because owner Dan Class hasn’t monitored water quality, and doesn’t have a certified operator to run the system. A penalty of $21,060 was levied after repeated efforts to get Class to address the multiple system problems. During a July inspection by the Office of Drinking Water, they claim to have found numerous issues regarding sanitation, including mold, algae and rodent infestations in buildings that house pumps, wells and storage tanks. They also say significant leaks pose a contamination hazard. Health Department officials say that Class has failed to comply with a number of orders, and they say that he’s been “given every chance” to meet the state’s requirements. Class has 28 days to appeal the fine.
