County expands water services

On Aug. 6, the Pierce County Council approved an ordinance to expand the county’s Water Utility, aiming to better serve residents and meet future water needs. Here’s what this means for the community.

Expanding Services: The County will update its rules to allow the Water Utility to provide public water services and establish a deliberative process for potential future acquisitions of other public water systems. 

New Water Utility Fund: A new fund has been created to manage the finances for these expanded water services. 

Funding Support: The water utility will have access to a $635,000 loan from the Sewer Utility Fund to help kickstart this expansion. 

Acquiring Kapowsin Water District: Pierce County will officially take over the Kapowsin Water District, which has been under temporary County management since 2017. 

These changes will take effect on Sept. 1. The Council’s approval of Ordinance No. O2024-532 followed earlier presentations to the Economic and Infrastructure Development Committee (EIDC) on the proposed water utility and a financing plan for it. The Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday, July 9, and gave the ordinance a “do-pass” recommendation. 

The County’s Water Utility was originally created in 1998 to manage water resources at Chambers Creek. The County also recently took over the water system at Tacoma Narrows Airport. Expanding the Water Utility will help Pierce County maintain its water rights and potentially offer water services to more residents in the future. 

The ordinance now heads to the County Executive for signature. With the expansion approved, the County Council plans to address additional issues such as setting water rates, implementing new systems like reclaimed water at Chambers Bay, and possibly offering wholesale water services. 

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Director Chantelle Harmon Reed commended the council.

“Reliable water and sewer infrastructure supports health equity and aligns with our mission to protect and improve the health of all people and places in Pierce County. We commend Pierce County Council’s dedication to protecting the health of residents, no matter where they live.”