[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]KENNEWICK, WA – Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) was originally formed as a Special Purpose District in the State of Washington in 1917, but it originates much earlier, dating back to the late 1800s. The modern KID of today began in the early 1950s when the United States Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the District and farmers, built the canal system still used today.
The Kennewick Division of the Yakima Project is a combined irrigation and power development project that includes the 12 megawatt Chandler Power Plant and Pump Station. The District serves over 20,200 acres of land within a 55,000 acre boundary.
The primary responsibility of KID is to assess the water needs of its constituents and develop plans to efficiently and effectively deliver that water to meet those needs. This can include building canals, pipelines, pump stations and other infrastructure to
transport water. An irrigation assessment, or invoice, is billed annually in early March to every property owner in the district. These assessments are then collected and are primarily used to maintain or improve that infrastructure.
Much like other utility companies, the cost of raw materials, increases in demand, changes in regulations, or certain maintenance projects can all contribute to increases in costs, which are then passed down to the consumer. However, the KID Board of Directors vision for 2023 was no rate increase for its ratepayers.
“The board understands the financial pressures that ratepayers are facing today and into 2023. To accomplish their vision, KID reviewed all expenditures, revenue sources, capital needs and investments to maximize the return on the assets of the district. Because of this, the board voted to not raise irrigation rates for 2023 at the December 6th meeting.” – Stuart Dezember, Comptroller/Treasurer for Kennewick Irrigation District.
For customers struggling to pay their KID irrigation assessment, KID has a helping hands program.
For more information on helping hands please visit our Helping Hands Page.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]