Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Grant Agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology for the Puget Sound National Estuary Program Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead for a Peak Flow Reduction Project
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing the City to execute a Puget Sound National Estuary Program Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology for a Peak Flow Reduction Project and authorize the City Manager to sign the grant agreement.
Report Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing the execution of a Puget Sound National Estuary Program Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead grant to fund a Peak Flow Reduction Project and authorize the City Manager to sign the grant agreement.
Staff Contact:
James Patton, Senior Stormwater Engineer, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8749
Presenter:
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Sea level rise and extreme precipitation events are contributing to flooding in downtown Olympia, impacting public health, transportation routes, and marine ecosystems.
In much of Olympia, combined sewers carry wastewater and stormwater to the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant. When extreme precipitation coincides with high tide events, combined sewer peak flows can increase substantially, resulting in localized backups into buildings and discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater into Budd Inlet. Further increase in extreme precipitation and sea level rise will exacerbate these problems and may disrupt biological treatment processes. Continuous and reliable function of the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant is essential to maintaining critical services within the region, protecting nearshore marine habitats, and safeguarding public and environmental health.
The Stormwater Utility applied for and has been awarded a Puget Sound National Estuary Program Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead grant in the amount of $419,922, with no match required for the Combined Sewer Peak Flow Reduction Project. This Project will fund engineering, design, and feasibility studies aimed at separating parts of the combined sewer system to reduce peak flows into the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant, reduce downtown flooding, and improve stormwater treatment by integrating green stormwater infrastructure. The grant term is two years.
This Peak Flow Reduction Project is consistent with the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan (2019), Storm and Surface Water Management Plan (2018) and Wastewater Utility Master Plan (2020).
Climate Analysis:
The Peak Flow Reduction Project will have significant short-term and long-term benefits to the resilience of local infrastructure. In the short-term, the feasibility assessments to separate portions of the combined sewer system and identify priority capital improvement projects will lay the groundwork for future grant applications and construction. Implementing the highest priority projects will reduce localized flooding during extreme precipitation events, high-tide events, and ongoing sea level rise. In the long term, the group of priority capital projects identified by this project will be critical in building system-wide resilience to the pressures of extreme precipitation and sea level rise facing Olympia. Selectively separating sewer lines in targeted neighborhoods will reduce the risk of backups in homes and businesses and prevent the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant from being overwhelmed by overland flooding and increased stormwater flows.
Equity Analysis:
Downtown Olympia is the cultural, business, and tourist center of Thurston County, as well as a center for affordable housing and social services. Increasing resiliency to sea level rise by separating portions of Olympia’s combined sewer system to alleviate the risk of impacts to the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant benefits the entire community, including disadvantaged populations who live in the downtown area and/or rely on Downtown’s social services.
The project area serves three census tracts identified by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool as having low-income households, housing cost burdens and/or other at-risk factors. In total, these census tracts represent approximately 12 percent of the total population served by the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant. Residents in these areas face an increased risk of exposure to combined sewer backups and surcharges, posing potential public health concerns. This project will reduce those risks. Additionally, the project includes the analysis of green infrastructure options to manage the re-routed stormwater flows. Depending upon location, future green infrastructure investments could create new green spaces that enhance neighborhood aesthetics and provide community benefits, particularly for vulnerable populations
This work will also enhance habitat in the usual and accustomed area of the Squaxin Island Tribe.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Projects to address sea level rise and downtown flooding and to improve water quality, particularly those incorporating green stormwater infrastructure, have consistently received the support of the Utility Advisory Committee and the broader community.
Financial Impact:
The total cost for the two-year Combined Sewer Peak Flow Reduction Plan project is estimated to be revenue neutral, with costs of $412,922 to be offset by the Puget Sound National Estuary Program Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead grant.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution authorizing the City to execute a Puget Sound National Estuary Program Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology for a Peak Flow Reduction Project and authorize the City Manager to sign the grant agreement. This option provides financial assistance to fund engineering, design and feasibility studies aimed at separating parts of the combined sewer system to reduce peak flows into the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant.
2. Do not approve a Resolution authorizing the City to execute a Puget Sound National Estuary Program Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology for a Peak Flow Reduction Project and do not authorize the City Manager to sign the grant agreement. The City will not receive financial assistance and will postpone work to develop a Combined Sewer Peak Flow Reduction Plan. The delay pushes back engineering, design and feasibility studies necessary to separate parts of the combined sewer system to reduce peak flows into the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Form