Spot on Bob. I wrote a letter to the editor precisely about this topic. The Record chose not to publish it.

The issue is even more severe than you mention. When the plant gets to 80% of capacity, it has to begin planning to add capacity. And as Freeland is finding out, added capacity is very very expensive for ratepayers.  Particularly if a new plant design is required which may be the case.

The 30% capacity headroom that we currently enjoy should not be offered to others until Langley stakeholders have a chance to comment. I will be interested to hear what the manager of the Langley wastewater plant has to say about the mayor's offer to Freeland.

I hasten to add that I appreciated what the mayor had to say about a healthy environment on South Whidbey and to the extent that the wastewater treatment plant could offer a solution to Freeland while protecting Langley ratepayers, it may be worth investigating. But oh so cautiously.