Utility Costs & Availability

Telecommunications
Connections to telecommunication services, particularly Internet connectivity, are varied throughout the District. Some areas are served with DSL while others are limited to dial-up access. 

In Asotin County, Clarkston has high speed DSL and wireless Internet, and the City of Asotin has DSL and is currently working on wireless capabilities. There are remote areas of Asotin County that only have access to dial-up Internet.

Telecommunication services in Garfield County consist of dial-up and DSL Internet connections through a local Internet service provider and the telephone service provider. The local service provider also has several high-speed wireless Internet connections for residents and businesses for those with line-of-sight access.

Dayton, in Columbia County, has DSL, wireless, and satellite high-speed Internet options with redundancy within the city limits. The community continues to participate in the education and use of internet based services.

Pullman has high speed DSL and wireless. Colfax and several other smaller communities in Whitman County also have cable Internet connections.

Energy
The SouthEast Washington Economic Development Association region is served by various public and private electric utilities. Most urban areas are served by either Avista Utilities or Pacific Power. Inland Power & Light provides service to portions of Whitman County, and Columbia Rural Electric Association serves areas of Columbia County. Customers enjoy some of the lowest electric rates in the nation due to the regions' abundant supply of low-cost hydropower. In addition, recent additions of wind and natural gas generation ensure an abundant energy supply for the region. 
 
The area is served with natural gas in Whitman and Asotin counties by Avista Utilities. Prices are competitive and there is a plentiful supply. Pipeline capacity is adequate in most incorporated cities and industrial areas.

Avista Utilities Rate Schedules
800-342-1585

Pacific Power Rate Schedules
1-866-870-3419

Inland Power & Light Rate Schedules
509-747-7151
Toll Free: 800-747-7151

Ground Water
The City of Asotin and the Asotin County Public Utility District, which provides water service to the City of Clarkston and the more densely populated areas of Asotin County, draw groundwater from the Lewiston Basin Aquifer. This deep aquifer spans the Lewiston-Clarkston valley forming at the Craig and Blue Mountains extending to the base of the Lewiston-Clarkston hill and east to west from Lapwai, Idaho to the base of Alpowa Grade located in Asotin County, Washington. This groundwater resource is vast and of good quality.

Water Supply
The District has a good supply of clean drinking water. Numerous underground aquifers throughout the four counties provide a high quality, dependable source of drinking water, although none are sole source aquifers. The Lewiston Basin Aquifer, located in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, received Sole or Principal Source Aquifer designation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1989. This designation protects the aquifer from potential contamination by mandating that the EPA review any federal projects that would compromise the aquifer. 

Sewage Collection and Treatment
Sewage collection methods vary widely throughout the District. Factors such as population, service area, topography and land use have determined local treatment methods. Sanitary sewer is provided by activated sludge, secondary sludge, trickling filter type of treatment and aerated lagoons. Smaller towns and farms use septic tank systems.

Solid Waste Disposal
The primary site for solid waste disposal in the District is the Asotin County Regional Landfill. The landfill is comprised of 76 permitted acres of unincorporated land. The facility is open six days a week and receives approximately 125 tons per day or 38,000 tons per year. At this rate the site will reach capacity in 2032.

The Solid Waste Management Plan was developed and adopted by the Asotin Board of Commissioners in April 1973 by inter-local agreements with 3 counties and 4 cities; Counties: Asotin and Garfield Counties, WA and Nez Perce, ID; Cities: Asotin and Clarkston in Asotin County; Pomeroy in Garfield County; Lewiston in Nez Perce County.

Other facilities used by communities in the region include Sudbury Landfill in Walla Walla, WA and the landfill in Arlington, OR.

Whitman County operates a Solid Waste Transfer Station and a small limited purpose landfill for construction demo. We ship approximately 25,000 tons of waste to Arlington, Oregon annually. Local haulers operate both curbside and recycling drop off centers. The Whitman County Solid Waste Plan was updated in 2006 and adopted by the County Commissioners. Inter-local solid waste plan agreements have been signed with 16 cities and towns that make up this county.

Recycling
Whitman County offers a very active recycling program. Residential curbside recycling is available in some communities with drop off sites located in many of the other communities. The Whitman County Landfill offers recycling drop off as well as free household hazardous waste drop off and yard waste recycling. Both the county and Washington State University (WSU) have Recycling Coordinators, and WSU operates construction waste recycling programs. The Town of Garfield provides its own garbage and recycling service and also offers yard waste recycling.

Compost Facilities
In Whitman County, Garfield, Rosalia, and Palouse operate small composting facilities. The product generated is distributed to community residents free of charge. Washington State University operates a composting facility, which diverts significant amounts of solid waste from the Whitman County Landfill.

Dayton, in Columbia County, has a composting facility and nearby Lewiston, ID houses a regional, privately run composting facility. Its operation utilizes feedstock from communities around the region, with a market sales area in Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and Eastern Oregon.