By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Sandra Isdell has everything she needs to start a coffee business in Elbe except one thing: Water. Isdell, who wants to open a mobile coffee stand next to the state highway that winds through the tiny community, found out the hard way that health authorities aren't allowing any new water connections by Elbe Water District. That means no new businesses can open in the area served by the district, so Isdell's business plans are on hold indefinitely. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department won't new-hookup permits because the Elbe district isn't following the state's guidelines for water system capacity. "That was news to me,GÇ¥ Isdell said in reaction to learning from officials Oct. 30 about the moratorium. She'd already bought equipment for her coffee truck and gotten other permits. According to county health department water resources program, water systems like the Elbe district are restricted to the number or buildings and businesses that can connect to their system, said Steve Metcalf, a spokesman for the agency. The state Department of Health (DOH) sets the number of connections through engineering and water capacity reviews. The Elbe system has more connections than DOH approved. The state agency directed it to bring its current number of connections into compliance and take other steps in order to expand and serve more customers. A list of corrective steps was given to the district's management about three years ago, but DOH says the district hasn't taken any of the steps. As a result, no new connections are being allowed, Metcalf explained. The Elbe district has 46 approved water connections, according to information from DOH. The restriction applies to any new residential development as well as commercial. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department requires an adequate supply of water for any projects requiring building and land-use permits. Without water, new businesses like Isdell's coffee stand can't open. Existing businesses that get new owners or make changes in their services might not face the same restriction long as they don't require more water, officials said. But if demand on the water system increased (for example, if an existing hospitality business expands and adds a swimming pool), "we would not approve that type of use,GÇ¥ Metcalf said. "Again, this goes back to the capacity restriction in place on the system.GÇ¥ The Elbe district is a public agency. Its management includes a three-person, elected board of commissioners.
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