Bill remains unpaid, Snohomish farmer still hauling buckets of water to livestock

For the last two weeks, a Snohomish farm owner has been hauling five gallon buckets of water by hand to take care of his livestock, just like in the old days. That’s because a local utility has shut off his water supply in a dispute over the farmer’s bill. The water service is still off.

The 220-acre Hagen Family Farm has two water meters, one for the barn and another for the house and two vacation properties. Jay Hagen says after 50 years, the Cross Valley Water District is insisting that Hagen pay for a third meter and is charging way more than adjoining water districts.

“They want $11,178,” he said. “They said it’s for surveying, it’s for engineering, it’s for bonding, and some miscellaneous fees,” says Hagen. “I said, well that’s fine, explain to me, what is the surveying for? Who’s doing it and how much? What is the engineering for? Who is doing it and how much? What are the miscellaneous fees for, how much? Why am I bonding? You’re a water company, you should be bonded.”

After demanding more information, Hagen said the water district simply sent him another bill.

While declining to discuss the Hagen’s situation, general manager Curt Brees says costs are higher for the Cross Valley Water District, “because it’s (the bill) based on our specific set of infrastructure and in Cross Valley Water District, because of that sort of position, our infrastructure is more spread out than other places and therefore more expensive.”

Hagen said his water bill is current, but won’t pay for the extra meter until the water district explains the costs to his satisfaction. The dispute dates to the summer of 2013.

“If that account becomes more than 30 days delinquent, we send out a shut-off notice ten days in advance,” explained Brees. “The customer has a right of appeal during that ten day advance notice and if they don’t pay those fees, we shut them off after ten days.”

There’s no dispute over the barn meter so several dozen head of cattle are still being watered. Hagen said they’re making due by taking showers in the barn. But Hagen must haul water for about 50 sheep and pigs.

“I’m not going to let my animals suffer.”

Cross Valley insists that its policy requires a second meter to serve the house and vacation homes because there are two parcels and ownership can change hands. Hagen wants an exception for the 65-year old farm. So, until this flap is settled, perhaps in court, you’ll see the 56-year old Hagen out on Lowell-Larimer Road, hauling buckets of water to the other side of his farm.