Palouse Empire Fairground: Septic system fails near horse barn, campgrounds

The Board of County Commissioners Monday approved an emergency repair at the Palouse Empire Fairground where preparations are underway for the fair.

A septic tank system which serves the horse barn area of the fair failed, and the board approved installation of holding tanks to correct the problem.

“We have quite a few systems out there, and we had a drain field failure,” said Bob Reynolds, fair manager.

Reynolds noted the failed system is not part of the new system that was installed last year. That system serves the fair's main restroom on the other side of the grounds.

Last year's drain field project was dubbed the biggest fair improvement that nobody will ever see.

“The hidden treasure is still doing well,” said Reynolds.

The Board of Whitman County Commissioners approved use of emergency funding Monday, which had already previously been passed just in case a problem surfaced.

Palouse River Rock is installing two holding tanks in a series, said Reynolds. The work will be completed quickly, within a day once it begins, so it will be ready ahead of the fair, which is booked for Sept. 8-11, Reynolds said.

“That's the plan,” he said.

Reynolds said most of the pre-work has already taken place, which has included “mostly excavation.” He said the area near the horse barn serves about 50 to 60 campers.

“There's quite a bit of campers there,” he said. “It will be nice to have restrooms capable there.

Reynolds estimated that the faulty septic system had been installed in the late '50s or early '60s, so the update there has been a long time coming.

“It's a big infrastructure to maintain. This came up kind of in an emergency situation,” he said. “It will be another hidden treasure, improvements you cannot see.”

He said the cost of the repair is estimated in the range of $15,000 to $16,000.

“We're excited to get it done,” said Reynolds. “It will give us quite a bit of capability there.”