Title
2019 Wastewater Management Plan
Recommended Action
Provide feedback on Wastewater Management Plan scoping.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on the status of Wastewater Management Plan update.
Staff Contact:
Susan Clark, Senior Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Presenters:
Susan Clark, Senior Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Diane Utter, Water Resources Engineer, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8562
Tom Swartout, Water Resources Engineer, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8441
Background and Analysis:
The City’s Wastewater Utility’s mission is to collect and convey wastewater to treatment facilities in a manner that protects the health of both the public and our environment.
We carry out our mission by maintaining and replacing existing utility infrastructure and planning for expansion into areas within the City and Urban Growth Area that are currently undeveloped or served by onsite sewage systems (OSS). Wastewater flows through City-owned sewer infrastructure to the LOTT Clean Water Alliance’s Budd Inlet Treatment Plan, where it is treated and either discharged to Budd Inlet, or reclaimed for beneficial uses.
The work of the Utility is guided by a masterplan approved in 2013. Under regulation, a wastewater (or sewer) utility is required to have a general sewer plan at the time a sewer utility is first established. Thereafter, plan updates are not a regulatory requirement. However, the Utility is updating the Plan because it serves as a valuable tool to facilitate efficient and effective management of programs and projects.
In spring 2018, a cross-sectional Plan Update Team began meeting to update the 2013 Plan. Because the 2013 Plan serves as an excellent starting point, a minor update is anticipated. Since beginning its work, the Plan Update Team has:
• Reviewed the Utility’s key challenges
• Determined that the 2013 Plan goals and objectives remain valid
• Begun work to update the Plan’s strategies and text
During the January 3, 2019 UAC meeting, we anticipate discussing:
• Planning requirements
• Project assumptions and timeline
• Utility accomplishments from 2013 Plan
• Key challenges
• 2019 Plan goals and objectives
The City will hire consulting firms to assist in the following areas:
• Financial analysis and financial plan
• Capital project cost estimates
• Sewer system modeling to identify capacity deficiencies
For reference, the 2013 Wastewater Management Plan is available on the City’s website. Click on the hyperlink listed in the staff report.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
None known at this time. A project website will be developed during the first quarter of 2019.
Options:
Not applicable.
Financial Impact:
The Utility will hire a financial consultant to update the financial strategy for the Utility, evaluate the impacts of projected operating costs and capital needs and also evaluate the existing wastewater rate structure and provide potential alternatives.
Attachment:
Link to 2013 Wastewater Management Plan