COEUR d'ALENE - Sometimes high standards can be costly.

The Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board is proposing to bump up a sewer capitalization fee by more than 5 percent, which board members say is essential to providing millions of dollars worth of improvements to accommodate the new TMDL (total maximum daily load) for the Spokane River.

"If we don't put this equipment in, there is no possibility for continued economic growth," said Ken Windram, board manager.

The proposed fee would require new customers to pay $6,515 up front, instead of the current $5,158.

"The capitalization fee is for new customers only. Growth pays for growth," Windram said.

The higher fee is intended to help handle the immense cost of new treatment systems necessary to meet the new water quality standard requiring agencies to reduce phosphorous at least 90 percent from current levels, Windram said.

The new equipment HARSB needs includes a biological treatment system, a chemical treatment system, final tertiary filtration, an expanded biosolid system and an expanded outfall pipeline and reuse farm, he said.

The improvements are estimated to add up to $34.5 million.

"It will take us about nine years through design, construction, pilot testing, operational stability to reach that new standard," Windram said. "It's going to keep us busy for a while."

Without making these improvements HARSB won't be able to accommodate any new development, he added.

"What they're asking us to do is very difficult," he said.

The new TMDL for agencies that discharge wastewater into the Spokane River was set by Washington Ecology last month. The Environmental Protection Agency will issue discharge permits in Idaho.

Agencies are expected to comply within 10 years.

Windram would expect some people to be upset over increased fees, he said. He encouraged locals to contact state legislators over the issue.

"Have them put pressure on the EPA and Washington Ecology not to do this," he said, comparing the new standard to a speed limit of 25.02 miles per hour. "This standard is unreasonable."

Folks are also encouraged to speak at a public hearing over the proposed fee at 4:30 p.m. March 18 at Hayden City Hall.

HARSB will hold deliberations after the hearing, he said. The new fee would likely be imposed this summer.

"This is a very complicated issue," Windram said. "We want people to get involved so we can make a reasonable and fair decision."