Eureka City Council heard an update Tuesday on the Elk River Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge feasibility study, with City Engineer Jesse Willer saying the work is required under the city’s permit.
According to the meeting transcript, staff described an ocean outfall alternative at the 45-foot depth of closure as nearing $200 million and said it would have a major impact on rates. The presentation also flagged constraints tied to habitat on the peninsula, dredging, climate change, sea level rise and water-quality conditions in Humboldt Bay.
A public commenter said the discussion should have also addressed the city’s consent decree with the Ecological Rights Foundation, alongside the MPDS permit. The excerpt does not show any council direction on the feasibility study or a final staff recommendation.
The council meeting also included introduction of a vacant-property registration ordinance, but the wastewater presentation was the portion focused on capital costs and possible future rate impacts.
