EPHTATA — The Port of Mattawa is interested in using Grant County PUD land in conjunction with the port’s wastewater treatment facility.

PUD General Manager Tim Culbertson told commissioners Monday of the port’s interest in the 40 acres of land.

Other uses have been discussed for the land in the past, including building a solar facility or a substation.

Grant PUD Commissioner Randy Allred asked if public utilities sell or lease land to ports.

Culbertson said he would have to ask a staff member.

No decisions were made

After the meeting, port Manager Bob Adler said they need land to apply the water to.

The land lays adjacent to the port’s industrial park.

“We want to put it to the best beneficial use for everybody,” he said. “They have no long-range plans for that piece of property. We would definitely put it to beneficial use.”

The port has been talking to the PUD for three to four years about the matter. They were told nothing could be done until a new dam license was received, Adler said.

The wastewater treatment facility should be completed in the next 90 days.

At the facility, industrial wastewater is reused by turning it into agricultural wastewater. Farms are then supplied with needed water.

The state Department of Ecology approved the water’s use for apples, cherries and wine grapes.

The port started the project because the Town of Mattawa’s water system could not handle digested and undigested organic waste from wineries.