2007 WATER SYSTEM PLAN
Public Utility District No. 1 of Skagit County Volume 1
Printed Date: July 9, 2008
iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 1 1 Introduction and Summary ...... 1-1 1.1 Introduction ...... 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Scope ...... 1-1 1.3 Summary ...... 1-2 1.4 Description of the Water System ...... 1-2 1.5 Basic Planning Data ...... 1-3 1.6 System Analysis ...... 1-3 1.7 Improvement Program ...... 1-4 1.8 Financial Program ...... 1-4 1.9 Water Use Efficiency Program ...... 1-4 1.10 Operation and Maintenance Program ...... 1-5 1.11 Satellite System Program ...... 1-5 2 Description of Water System ...... 2-6 2.1 Introduction ...... 2-6 2.2 Ownership and Management ...... 2-6 2.3 System Background ...... 2-10 2.4 Inventory of Existing Facilities ...... 2-12 2.4.1 Judy Reservoir System (PWSID 79500 E) ...... 2-12 2.4.2 Fidalgo Island System (PWSID 00932 Y) ...... 2-15 2.4.3 Remote Systems ...... 2-15 2.5 Related Plans ...... 2-17 2.6 Existing Service Area Characteristics ...... 2-17 2.7 Future Service Area ...... 2-20 2.8 Service Area Agreements ...... 2-20 2.9 Service Area Policies ...... 2-21 2.10 Satellite Management Agencies ...... 2-21 2.11 Conditions of Service ...... 2-21 2.12 Complaints ...... 2-21 2.13 Service Area Consistency ...... 2-23 3 Planning Data and Water Demand Forecasting ...... 3-24 3.1 Current Population ...... 3-24 3.1.1 Current Population Distribution ...... 3-24 3.1.2 Current Customers ...... 3-25 3.1.3 Location and Customer Type ...... 3-25 3.2 Current Water Demands ...... 3-26 3.2.1 Production ...... 3-26 3.2.2 Demand Types ...... 3-26 3.2.3 Demand by Location ...... 3-26 3.2.4 Equivalent Residential Units ...... 3-28 3.2.5 Regional Water Demands ...... 3-29 3.3 Current Land Use ...... 3-30 3.4 Forecasted Population ...... 3-30 3.4.1 Adopted GMA Projections ...... 3-30 3.4.2 CWSP Projections ...... 3-32
v 3.5 Forecasted Water Demands ...... 3-32 3.5.1 High Growth Scenario ...... 3-32 3.5.2 Intermediate Growth Scenario ...... 3-33 3.5.3 Low Growth Scenario ...... 3-34 3.5.4 Effect of Conservation Measures ...... 3-34 3.5.5 Discussion ...... 3-35 3.6 Water Rights ...... 3-35 3.6.1 Judy Reservoir System ...... 3-35 3.6.2 Interties ...... 3-41 3.6.3 Remote System Water Rights ...... 3-42 3.7 System Capacity Analysis ...... 3-42 4 System Analysis ...... 4-44 4.1 Design Standards ...... 4-44 4.1.1 Fire Protection ...... 4-44 4.2 Construction Standards ...... 4-46 4.3 Hydraulic Analysis...... 4-46 4.3.1 Present Model ...... 4-46 4.4 Description and Analysis by System and Area ...... 4-46 4.4.1 Sanitary Surveys ...... 4-46 4.4.2 Judy Reservoir Water System ...... 4-47 4.4.3 Fidalgo Island Water System ...... 4-79 4.4.4 Alger Water System ...... 4-85 4.4.5 Cedargrove Water System ...... 4-86 4.4.6 Marblemount Water System ...... 4-87 4.4.7 Mountain View Water System ...... 4-87 4.4.8 Potlatch Water System ...... 4-89 4.4.9 Rockport Water System ...... 4-90 4.4.10 Skagit View Village Water System ...... 4-91 4.5 Water Quality Analysis System and Area ...... 4-92 4.5.1 Judy Reservoir Water System ...... 4-92 4.5.2 Fidalgo Island Water System ...... 4-93 4.5.3 Remote Water Systems ...... 4-94 4.6 System Deficiencies ...... 4-95 4.6.1 Seismic Vulnerability ...... 4-95 4.6.2 Low Pressure ...... 4-96 4.6.3 Storage ...... 4-96 4.6.4 Material Fatigue ...... 4-96 4.6.5 Flow Velocity...... 4-97 5 Improvement Program ...... 5-98 5.1 Improvement Criteria ...... 5-98 5.2 Replacement Program ...... 5-98 5.3 New Construction ...... 5-100 5.4 Identification of Improvements ...... 5-100 5.4.1 Judy Reservoir System Improvements...... 5-100 5.4.2 Fidalgo Island System Improvements ...... 5-102 5.4.3 Remote System Improvements ...... 5-102
vi 6 Conservation Program ...... 6-113 6.1 Water Conservation Program ...... 6-113 6.1.1 Water Use Efficiency ...... 6-114 6.2 Evaluation of water use efficiency Measures ...... 6-114 6.2.1 Public Education Program ...... 6-114 6.2.2 Technical Assistance ...... 6-115 6.2.3 System Measures ...... 6-115 6.2.4 Incentives/Other Measures...... 6-119 6.3 Water Use Efficiency Alternatives ...... 6-122 6.3.1 Mainline Meter Rehabilitation/Replacement Program ...... 6-122 6.3.2 Water Audit ...... 6-122 6.3.3 Meter Accuracy Check/Transmission Line Leak Detection ...... 6-123 6.3.4 Selected Water Use Efficiency Activities ...... 6-123 7 Source Water Protection ...... 7-124 7.1 Cultus Mountain Raw Water Diversions ...... 7-124 7.2 Skagit River Watershed Protection Plan ...... 7-124 7.3 Remote Systems Wellhead protection ...... 7-124 8 Operation and Maintenance Program ...... 8-127 8.1 Routine Operation Procedures ...... 8-127 8.1.1 Staffing and Operator Certification ...... 8-127 8.1.2 Water Treatment Facilities ...... 8-130 8.1.3 Pump Stations ...... 8-137 8.1.4 Reservoirs ...... 8-137 8.1.5 Meters and Utility Billing ...... 8-138 8.1.6 SCADA and Telemetry Systems ...... 8-139 8.2 Preventative Maintenance ...... 8-139 8.2.1 Reservoirs ...... 8-139 8.2.2 Pumps ...... 8-140 8.2.3 Valves ...... 8-140 8.2.4 Equipment ...... 8-140 8.3 Water Quality Analysis Operations ...... 8-142 8.3.1 Background ...... 8-142 8.3.2 Sampling Procedures ...... 8-142 8.3.3 Operator Certification ...... 8-144 8.3.4 Cross-Connection Control Program ...... 8-144 8.4 Emergency Response ...... 8-145 8.4.1 General ...... 8-145 8.4.2 Command, Control and Communication ...... 8-145 8.4.3 Emergency Preparation and Response ...... 8-148 8.5 System Vulnerability ...... 8-153 9 Financial Program ...... 9-154 9.1 General ...... 9-154 9.2 Existing Revenue ...... 9-154 9.2.1 Revenue from Water Rates ...... 9-154 9.2.2 Revenue from General Facilities Charges ...... 9-156 9.3 Cost of Improvements ...... 9-156
vii 9.4 Annual Operation and Maintenance Expenses ...... 9-156 9.5 Projected Revenue Requirements ...... 9-157 9.6 Water Rate Adjustments ...... 9-159 9.7 Revenue Plan ...... 9-159 10 Satellite System Program ...... 10-160 10.1 Authority ...... 10-160 10.2 Satellite System Program Services ...... 10-160 10.2.1 Ownership Service ...... 10-164 10.2.2 Management and Operation Service ...... 10-170 10.2.3 Contract Service ...... 10-171 10.2.4 Support Assistance Service ...... 10-171 Appendix A – Water Facility Inventories ...... A Appendix B – CWSP Water Service Area Agreement ...... B Appendix C – Joint Operating Agreement with City of Anacortes ...... C Appendix D – District Water Code ...... D Appendix E – Land Use Maps ...... E Appendix F – Consistency Determinations ...... F Appendix G – Water Rights ...... G Appendix H – Emergency Response Plan ...... H Appendix I – Physical Capacity Analyses ...... I Appendix J – Watershed Control Plans – and Wellhead Protection Plans ...... J Appendix K – Consumer Confidence Reports ...... K Appendix L – SEPA Determination ...... L Appendix M – Water Quality Testing ...... M Appendix N – Sanitary Surveys ...... N Appendix O – Conservation Materials ...... O
viii
1 Introduction and Summary
1.1 Introduction Public Utility District No. 1 of Skagit County (District) is a municipal corporation of the State of Washington, established at the general election of November 3, 1936 to conserve the water and power resources of the state for the benefit of the people and to supply public utility service per RCW 54. The District is authorized to acquire, construct and operate water systems within and without the county boundaries and to furnish water service to the inhabitants of the District and other persons.
The District operates the most expansive water system in Skagit County with over 22,400 metered services, serving approximately 65,000 people an average of 9 million-gallons of water per day. Population growth and development in the western one-third of Skagit County have been steady over the past twenty years, and requests for waterline extensions and additional services are being received regularly.
The majority of the District's services are within the Judy Reservoir System which serves the Cities of Burlington, Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley as well as surrounding rural and suburban areas. The District also operates remote water systems including: Fidalgo Island, Alger, Cedargrove, Marblemount, Mountain View, Potlatch Beach, Rockport, and Skagit View Village.
District facilities include almost 600 miles of pipe, and over 31-million gallons of storage volume.
1.2 Purpose and Scope A Water System Plan (WSP) is required under WAC 246-290 and is overseen by the Washington Department of Health (DOH). An expanding community system, such as the District, is required to submit a WSP (on a six year schedule) for review and approval. The purpose of a WSP is to demonstrate the system’s operational, technical, managerial and financial capability, and demonstrate how the system will address present and future needs, per the requirements of the 1996 amendments to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Further, the WSP establishes eligibility for funding pursuant to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
With the passage of the Municipal Water Supply - Efficiency Requirements Act, Chapter 5, Laws of 2003 (Municipal Water Law) the WSP must also demonstrate consistency with local land use planning, and reflect compliance with water conservation rules.
1-1 This Plan will address the following elements for a period of twenty years into the future:
Section Title 2 Description of Water System 3 Planning Data 4 System Analysis 5 Improvement Program 6 Conservation Program & Water Use Efficiency 7 Source Water Protection 8 Operation and Maintenance Program 9 Financial Program 10 Satellite System Program
The primary consideration in developing this long-range plan is the District’s responsibility to the people within its service area “to provide an adequate supply of good quality water at the lowest possible cost for the present and reasonably foreseeable future needs of all the communities in and tributary to Skagit County for domestic use, and to facilitate industrial development and growth, not only because the District is the only public agency endowed with the necessary legal powers and authority to assume responsibility on a County-wide basis, but also because the District enjoys the necessary credit rating to provide the most advantageous financing and, further, because the long- range water supply by individual communities cannot be as economically developed as can a comprehensive supply for the entire populated areas of the County” [taken from District Resolution #383, “Basic Water Policy”]. The District also has moral responsibilities to protect natural resources and honor federally-reserved Treaty rights. The fundamental purpose of this report is to provide such a long-range plan, thus providing the basic elements necessary to most effectively carry out these responsibilities.
1.3 Summary
The Skagit Board of County Commissioners declared Skagit County a Critical Water Supply Service Area (CWSSA) in 1990. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Skagit County, the City of Anacortes and the District jointly funded a Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) Regional Supplement in 1993, updated in 2000. The County Commissioners found the 2000 CWSP to be ‘not inconsistent with land use planning’ in March 2000 and adopted the 2000 CWSP into their Comprehensive Plan as part of the 2000 Comprehensive Plan amendments; that CWSP Regional Supplement was approved by DOH in July 2000. Some data collected for the 2000 CWSP was used in the preparation of this Water System Plan.
1.4 Description of the Water System Of the 150 public water systems in Skagit County, the District’s Judy Reservoir system ranks as the most important by virtue of the large number of customers served and its role as the County-wide Satellite Management Agency; only the City of Anacortes’ system produces more water, wholesaling much of it to local industries and municipalities. The
1-2 balance of the public water systems obtain supplies from individual sources and/or by purchasing from one of these two major systems. The District is a municipal corporation of the State, governed under RCW Title 54 by its own three elected commissioners. The General Manager and the District’s staff execute the policies set by the District’s Commissioners. The administration and operations of the District are funded by water revenues from the District’s customers, augmented by fees paid for impacts on the system and occasional grants from outside agencies.
In 1939, the District bought three water systems serving Burlington, Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley from the Peoples’ Water And Gas Company, forming the basis for the District’s present system. The sources for the original system were the southern Cultus Mountain streams and the Skagit River, and the system included approximately 50 miles of water mains, four million gallons of storage and 3,000 water services. The Cultus Mountain streams are now the District’s principle source of supply and the system has grown through other acquisitions, improvements and outside development to near 600 miles of pipeline and over 31 million gallons of storage. The District now also owns and operates one water system on Fidalgo Island, one water system on Guemes Island, north of Anacortes, one water system north of Burlington, one water system just east of Mount Vernon, and three water systems farther east along the Skagit River. All new water lines are of the highest quality and installed to strict specifications, and all District services are metered.
1.5 Basic Planning Data The population of Skagit County was an estimated 113,100 as of the 2006 Office of Finacial Management count. The District serves around 65,000 persons within Skagit County, or around 57% of the total population. The District serves its customers 2,900 million gallons annual demand. Non-revenue water (fire flow, allowable leakage, unaccounted-for, etc.) has been under 10 percent (12-month average) for the past 3-years. This is ahead of the District’s goal to reduce it to 11 percent by the year 2010.
Population projections used for the CWSP and County / City Comprehensive Plans indicate Skagit County may grow to a total of 149,080 to 198,075 by 2025. Providing water resources to accommodate this growth will require a cooperative effort by the District, the City of Anacortes, local Tribes and State and federal agencies.
Section 3 indicates that the District has adequate water rights to support its projected growth for the 20-year planning period addressed by this Plan.
1.6 System Analysis District infrastructure is recorded on maps and in individual project files in the District’s office. The District has certificated water rights to 23,417 acre-feet of source water per year, and owns and operates a water treatment plant undergoing expansion to 30 million gallon per day (mgd) peak production, over 600 miles of water mains ranging from 3/4- inch to 48-inch in diameter, over 22,400 metered water services and over 31 million gallons of potable water storage capacity. Since the start-up of the District’s treatment plant in March 1990, the District’s finished water has exceeded all local, State and federal
1-3 drinking water standards. The majority of the system is strong, and all documented weak portions have been prioritized for replacement.
The District has developed a strong set of design and construction standards, which the District requires be followed by outside agencies as well as District employees.
1.7 Improvement Program The District has identified weaknesses in its systems, and schedules improvements on a prioritized basis. All replacements and new construction are designed and installed per District standards. This section of the Plan identifies specific improvements and projected costs and revenue sources.
1.8 Financial Program The District gets nearly all its operating revenues from water rates and has historically maintained a uniform schedule of rates for all its customers, regardless of water system or area. The District’s rates are based on a “cost of service” water rate study by HDR, Inc. The District has maintained separate meter and consumption charges, and inclining block rate schedule for residential services and a relatively flat schedule for non-residential service. The District also revised its schedule of General Facilities Charges (System Development Fees) to account for system treatment capacity increases based on the capacity a new water service requires.
1.9 Water Use Efficiency Program The District’s Water Use Efficiency Plan includes all required elements outlined in the Conservation Planning Manual. The District:
a) on request provides public education through school outreach, a speakers bureau, handouts, and interface with local news media;
b) provides technical assistance through administrative assistance to its two wholesale customers, leak detection assistance to retail customers, and consumption history on utility bills;
c) has implemented system measures through installation and maintenance of source meters on all its water systems, consumption meters on all customer services, and leak detection program which has reduced unaccounted-for water from 26.59 percent in 1990 to less than 10 percent in 2006; and
d) provides incentives for water conservation through information on single and multifamily conservation, retrofit kits, and on water saving potential for commercial and residential irrigation demands, has increased its water rates, and promotes recycling and reuse of water. Various water conservation alternatives are reviewed.
1-4 1.10 Operation and Maintenance Program The District is staffed, organized, and trained to handle all routine and emergency operations of the District’s water systems. The District meets and exceeds State requirements for mandatory water works certification. The Judy Reservoir Water Treatment Plant is semi-automated to allow unattended operation, although operators are on site 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The operators and automated control systems regularly log process and production information. The control system is being expanded to provide monitoring, control, data logging, and alarm indication from remote SCADA stations. WTP shutdown and startup procedures are outlined, as well as the Alger, Cedargrove, Mountain View and Potlatch treatment systems. The District monitors its pump stations and storage reservoirs regularly, and schedules maintenance as required by operating and aesthetic conditions. All District services are metered, and all meters are read regularly. Utility billing services are performed in-house. Telemetry alarm systems use telephone autodialers to notify District personnel 24 hours per day of intrusion or system failures at selected remote and critical booster pump stations and reservoirs. The District is transitioning from telephone telemetry, which only offers monitoring of alarm conditions, to SCADA, which offers control and correction of system operational issues from a remote location. The District has established a framework for preventive maintenance of District reservoirs, pumps, valves, construction equipment and vehicles.
The District currently meets or exceeds all State and federal water quality requirements. District personnel follow established sampling procedures to ensure all samples reflect actual conditions.
The District has also established procedures for response to specific emergencies, including water supply shortage, system failures, or operational upsets. Causes for such emergencies may include earthquakes, electrical storms, flooding, volcanic or nuclear activity, power outages, sabotage, material failure or human error. The District is aware of weaknesses in its systems and is able to respond to any single emergency. Multiple concurrent emergencies or combinations of causes will tax District assets. The District will return complete service to areas based on priorities set by District management in cooperation with other local governments.
1.11 Satellite System Program The District functions as the primary Satellite Management Agency (SMA) for Skagit County per the CWSP. This Section outlines program services available, through Ownership, Management and Operation, Contract Service or Support Assistance elements. Criteria are defined for both permanent stand-alone and temporary stand-alone systems.
1-5
2 Description of Water System
2.1 Introduction Skagit County is located in the northwestern part of Washington State and stretches from Puget Sound to the crest of the Cascade Mountains. Also included are leeward islands of the San Juan Archipelago, together with the Skagit River delta and flood plain. The eastern two-thirds of Skagit County are dominated by the northern Cascade Mountains which include Mount Baker, portions of North Cascade National Park, and Mount Baker National Forest. Mount Vernon is the largest city in Skagit County and the county seat. Other significant municipalities include Anacortes, Burlington, Concrete, Hamilton, LaConner, Lyman and Sedro-Woolley.
See Figure 2.1 – Skagit County General Vicinity.
As described in the following, the District operates the most expansive water system in the County with a total of over 22,400 installed services. The majority of the District’s services are within the Judy Reservoir System (PWSID 79500E) which serves the Cities of Burlington, Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley and surrounding rural and suburban areas. The District also operates remote water systems including: Fidalgo Island (PWSID 00932 Y) Alger (PWSID 01400 K) Cedargrove (PWSID 11917 4) Marblemount (PWSID AA642 ) Mountain View (PWSID 03774 Y) Potlatch Beach (PWSID 69034 L) Rockport (PWSID 73600 6) Skagit View Village (PWSID 96879 5).
See Figure 2.2 – District Water Systems.
2.2 Ownership and Management The responsibilities and powers of the District are exercised through a Commission of three members, elected by the voters, having six-year terms expiring in rotation, so that one Commissioner is elected every two years. The Board of Commissioners, as authorized by law, employs a General Manager, a Treasurer, an Auditor, counsel and such other officials and special services as may be required to conduct the affairs of the District. The General Manager, Auditor and counsel are all independent entities employed by the Commission working for the unified good of the District. There is no legal linkage between the District and the County government of Skagit County, though there is a cooperative working relationship.
The General Manager is the chief administrative officer of the District and, assisted by the Treasurer, Auditor, counsel and administrative and operations staff, carries out the
2-6 policies set by the Board of Commissioners and all other duties as set forth in RCW 54.16.100. To cover the possibility of the absence or temporary disability of the General Manager, the General Manager has, with the approval of the Commission, designated a competent employee as Assistant Manager.
2-7 2-8 2-9
2.3 System Background Public Utility District No. 1 of Skagit County is a municipal corporation of the State of Washington, established at the general election of November 3, 1936. The organization meeting of the Commissioners of the District was held January 16, 1937. Since the District’s organization, the Commissioners have observed regular meeting dates and, in addition, have held special meetings as circumstances dictated. Proceedings of each meeting of the Commission are recorded in an official minute book.
Although organized early in 1937, the District did not engage in the utility business until November 4, 1939 when it purchased by friendly condemnation the water systems in the Cities of Mount Vernon, Burlington and Sedro-Woolley from the Peoples Water and Gas Company for the sum of $300,070. The water systems totaled 3,134 water services, 51.5 -miles of pipeline, 3,940,000 gallons of distribution storage, 1.75 million-gallons-per-day (MGD) in treatment facilities, and diversions on the Skagit River, local springs, and five creeks in the Cultus Mountains (East Fork Nookachamps, Rock Springs, Pigeon, Mundt and Turner Creeks).
On March 7, 1940, the District purchased the Clear Lake Water Corporation for $8,330.29, complete with 180 water services, 11.5-miles of pipeline, 500,000 gallons of distribution storage, and diversions on three Cultus Mountain streams (Gilligan, Salmon and Turner Creeks).
On July 1, 1940, the District purchased 1.8-miles of water line from the Avon Mutual Water System for $2,650.00.
In 1940, the District commenced to integrate the entire system by laying a wood stave transmission line from Sedro-Woolley to Burlington and Mount Vernon; this line was completed that same year through support of the Works Progress Administration. The further development of the District’s Judy Reservoir, Fidalgo Island and remote systems is chronicled as follows:
1947 Completed construction of impoundment dams in Janicki Basin, forming Judy Reservoir, capacity 450 million gallons, spillway at 435’ AMSL. 1954 Completed construction of a new Ranney well next to the Skagit River in northwest Mount Vernon. 1956 Acquired/constructed the District’s Fidalgo Island water system at Similk Beach through Local Utility District (LUD) No. 2. 1958 Completed new overhead Skagit River pipeline crossing south of Sedro-Woolley, replacing failed 1951 submarine crossing. 1958 Replaced Gilligan and Salmon Creek diversions/pipeline to increase supply to Judy Reservoir. 1960 Extended Judy Reservoir system to Bayview through LUD No. 4.
2-10 1961 Expanded Fidalgo Island system to the Gibralter and Dewey Beach areas through LUD No. 5. 1961 Installed concrete cylinder pipe transmission line connecting Judy Reservoir to Mount Vernon. 1962 Acquired the Conway Water Company and connected it to the Judy Reservoir System. 1965 Raised Judy Reservoir from elevation 435’ above mean sea level (AMSL) to 451’ AMSL, increasing its impoundment capacity from 450 million gallons to 1,010 million gallons. 1967 Completed the transmission line loop with the installation of concrete cylinder pipe between Burlington and Mount Vernon. 1970 Replaced the wood stave transmission line between Judy Reservoir and the Sedro- Woolley Skagit River crossing with concrete cylinder pipe. 1977 Installed a concrete cylinder pipe transmission line parallel to the wood stave distribution line between Sedro-Woolley and Burlington. 1984 Transferred service from the wood stave line to the concrete-cylinder transmission line between Burlington and Sedro-Woolley. 1990 Completed and put on line the District’s multi-media direct filtration water treatment plant at Judy Reservoir to serve the Judy Reservoir system. 1991 Acquired and reconstructed the remote public water system at Rockport through LUD No. 11. 1991 Extended the Judy Reservoir system toward Big Lake along Gunderson Road through LUD No. 12. 1992 Acquired and reconstructed the satellite public water system at Cedargrove On The Skagit through LUD No. 10. 1993 Extended the Judy Reservoir system around Big Lake through LUD No. 16 and to Lake 16 through LUD No. 18. 1994 Extended the Judy Reservoir system south of Mount Vernon around Britt Slough through LUD No. 17. 1995 Extended the Judy Reservoir system to the Hoogdal area north of Sedro-Woolley through LUD No. 19. 1996 Signed the Memorandum of Agreement Regarding Utilization of Skagit River Basin Water Resources for Instream and Out Of Stream Purposes (MOA) 1996 Extended the Judy Reservoir system north of Judy Reservoir to the Panorama area through LUD No. 20. 1997 Extended the Judy Reservoir system to Big Rock through LUD No. 21. 1998 Acquired and provided a reverse osmosis water source to an existing satellite public water system on Guemes Island through LUD No. 23 1999 Acquired and reconstructed a satellite public water system in the Alger area through LUD Nos. 22 and 24. 2000 Extended the Judy Reservoir system south of Mount Vernon to the Stackpole Road area through LUD No. 25. 2000 Completed enlargement of Judy Reservoir, increasing its impoundment capacity from 1.01 billion to 1.45 billion gallons. 2001 Sewer Authority granted to the District through a ballot measure
2-11 2004 Acquired and reconstructed a satellite public water system named Skagit View Village through LUD No. 27. 2006 Constructed a satellite public water system serving Marblemount through LUD No. 28 2006 Extended the Judy Reservoir System north of the community of Bayview through North Bayview LUD No. 29 2007 Substantially revised the raw water capacity and source through the Skagit River Diversion Pump Station and pipeline to Judy Reservoir. 2007 Furthered the geographical distribution, capacity and reliability of the transmission pipelines through installation of a gravity feed transmission pipeline on Cook Road.
2.4 Inventory of Existing Facilities This Water System Plan covers the many distinct water systems owned and operated by the District (as seen in Figure 2.2). The following briefly describes and inventories each system. The most current Water Facility Inventory report forms may be found in Appendix A – Water Facility Inventories.
2.4.1 Judy Reservoir System (PWSID 79500 E)
2.4.1.1 Service Area The Judy Reservoir system (Public Water System ID # 79500 E) has a retail service area including the City’s of Mount Vernon, Burlington, and Sedro-Woolley; as well as surrounding communities including Bow Hill, Bayview, Fir Island, Conway, Big Lake, and Clear Lake. See Figure 2.3 – Judy System Map.
2.4.1.2 Source The Cultus Mountain Watershed has historically been the principal source of supply for the District’s Judy Reservoir system. Water is diverted from four creeks (Gilligan, Salmon, Turner and Mundt), and piped to Judy Reservoir, a 1.45 Billion Gallon impoundment reservoir. The raw water collection system for Judy Reservoir (including legal description of the Cultus Mountain watersheds) is shown in Section 7. A new pump station and pipeline from the Skagit River to Judy Reservoir provides a more reliable, alternative source of supply.
2.4.1.3 Treatment Until 1990, raw water impounded in Judy Reservoir was disinfected and delivered unfiltered, directly from Judy Reservoir to the distribution system through transmission pipelines. In March 1990, the District’s new multi-media direct filtration water treatment plant (WTP) was placed in service adjacent to Judy Reservoir. Water from Judy Reservoir is treated at the District’s WTP and served by gravity through transmission lines to the District’s customers. The WTP capacity is being increased to 30 MGD in 2006-2008 through addition of new filters, and a third clearwell.
2-12 2.4.1.4 Distribution System The Judy Reservoir system currently includes over 595 miles of water mains and 31 million gallons of distribution storage capacity. About 40 percent of the mains are iron pipe, about 30 percent are plastic, and about 25 percent are asbestos cement. Most of the lines 3-inch and under are plastic, and over 84 percent of the mains predate 1995. A more complete inventory is provided in Section 5. The system is well maintained and has proven very reliable. New and replacement lines are installed according to current District standards (See Section 4, Minimum Design Standards).
2-13 2-14
2.4.2 Fidalgo Island System (PWSID 00932 Y) The District began service on Fidalgo Island in 1956 after wells in the area began to produce water of unsatisfactory quality. The Fidalgo Island system now serves the communities of Gibralter, Similk Beach, and Dewey Beach. Though originally supplied by the District’s two Whitmarsh wells south of March Point near the Swinomish Slough, the system is now served through interties with the City of Anacortes water system at Saterlee Road, Thompson Road, and Sharpe’s Corner. The District’s service area on Fidalgo Island is defined by the Service Area Agreement from the CWSP (see Appendix B).
The Fidalgo Island system includes over 17 miles of water mains and 800,000 gallons of distribution storage capacity. While the District has constructed major high capacity distribution improvements since 1994, the majority of the mains are less than 6-inch diameter and most of the lines 3-inch and under are plastic; about 50 percent of the mains are asbestos cement and predate 1970. The system is well maintained and provides reliable domestic service. Some lines are undersized for fire flow capacity, though fire flow is not a requirement everywhere in this rural service area. New and replacement lines are installed according to current District standards. See Section 4, Minimum Design Standards.
2.4.3 Remote Systems The District presently owns and operates seven remote public water systems: one in the Puget Sound on Guemes Island, one north of Burlington in Alger, four east of Sedro- Woolley up the Skagit River Valley at Skagit View Village, Cedargrove, Rockport and Marblemount and one on Mountain View Road just east of the Mount Vernon city limits (see Figure 2.2). Each has its own individual source of water. All were existing public water systems having problems meeting drinking water regulations. At the request of residents, the District offered assistance and, through the Local Utility District process (RCW 54.16), rebuilt each system (excepting Mountain View) to state and federal drinking water and District hydraulic standards. The Mountain View water system was accepted by the District at the system developer’s request and at the urging of DOH and the Skagit County Health Department.
The systems are well maintained and have proven very reliable. They are analyzed in greater detail in Section 4. New and replacement lines are installed according to current District standards. See Section 4, Minimum Design Standards
2.4.3.1 Potlatch Beach (Public Water System ID No. 69034L) The Potlatch Beach water system on Guemes Island includes one mile of 2 and 4-inch plastic water mains and has 30,000 gallons of distribution storage capacity. The system was experiencing saltwater intrusion in its groundwater well prior to District ownership, so the District replaced the source with a new reverse osmosis water treatment system, supplying the water system with desalinated water from Guemes Channel in the Puget
2-15 Sound. The system has capacity for up to 182 ERU’s according to physical capacity determinations included in Appendix I. The District accepted ownership of the system in 1998.
2.4.3.2 Alger (Public Water System ID No. 01400K) The Alger system includes a groundwater well, a manganese filtration system, 4.9 miles of 4-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, 12-inch and 16-inch water mains and 132,000 gallons of distribution storage capacity. The system has capacity for up to 219 ERU’s according to physical capacity determinations included in Appendix I. The District accepted ownership of the system in 1999.
2.4.3.3 Rockport (Public Water System ID No. 736006) The Rockport system includes a groundwater well, 2.7 miles of 4-inch, 6-inch and 8-inch water mains and 60,000 gallons of distribution storage capacity. The system has capacity for up to 138 ERU’s according to physical capacity determinations included in Appendix I. The District accepted ownership of the system in 1991.
2.4.3.4 Cedargrove (Public Water System ID No. 119174) The Cedargrove system includes a groundwater well, an iron and manganese filtration system, 2.9 miles of 4-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch ductile iron water mains and 270,000 gallons of distribution storage capacity. . The system has capacity for up to 466 ERU’s according to physical capacity determinations included in Appendix I. The District accepted ownership of the system in 1992.
2.4.3.5 Mountain View (Public Water System ID No. 03744Y) The Mountain View system is designed for a maximum of 16 connections, but has no storage at this time. The system can serve up to 14 connections before standby storage is required. The District accepted the system in 1993 with the understanding that it would be incorporated into the Judy Reservoir system at some future date.
2.4.3.6 Skagit View Village (Public Water System ID No. 96879 5) The Skagit View Village system includes a groundwater well, aeration treatment for carbon-dioxide removal, 2.6 miles of 4-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch water mains, and 200,000 gallons of distribution storage capacity. . The system has capacity for up to 128 ERU’s according to physical capacity determinations included in Appendix I. The District accepted ownership of the system in 2004.
2.4.3.7 Marblemount (Public Water System ID No. AA642) The Marblemount system includes a groundwater well, 1.9 miles of 8-inch water mains, and 64,000 gallons of distribution storage capacity. The system is approved for a maximum of 43 ERU’s according to physical capacity determinations included in Appendix I. The District accepted ownership of the system in 2007.
2-16 2.5 Related Plans This Water System Plan was developed in coordination with other existing local Water System Plans and the Skagit County Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) Regional Supplements, as well as planning and projections from county and city governments within Skagit County. The District plans to continue its cooperative relationship with local, State, tribal and federal governments towards effective management of water resources in Skagit County. By completing the Skagit River MOA in 1996 and following through with instream flow work, water rights in the Skagit River basin may now be processed, supporting the planning identified in County / City Comprehensive Plans. The District is also assisting in training of local Fire Department personnel in hydraulics, so they better understand the operation of the water system they rely on for support.
The Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) Regional Supplement for Skagit County was used as a source document for this Water System Plan. This Plan has also been coordinated with and used data from the City of Anacortes Water System Plan.
The urban growth boundaries and certain population projections used in the preparation of this document are the product of the planning efforts of Skagit County, the City of Anacortes, the City of Burlington, the City of Mount Vernon and the City of Sedro- Woolley in response to the Washington State Growth Management Act. Other municipalities have produced planning documents, though these documents and/or their contents were not within the scope of this Water System Plan.
By completing the Skagit River MOA in 1996 and working its process through to Rulemaking for instream flows on the Cultus mountain streams and the lower Skagit River, the District was able to help open the gates to processing of water rights again in the Skagit River basin, which support the plans of the County and local Cities. It is imperative that land use take water resources management into account, prohibiting activities in critical watershed and aquifer recharge areas that could cause degradation of surface and groundwater quality or limitation of fish and wildlife habitat. A cooperative process by the federal and State agencies, tribes, and local governments is crucial to the effective and efficient management of water resources in Skagit County.
2.6 Existing Service Area Characteristics The District is authorized by RCW 54.04.030 to operate water systems within and without the limits of Skagit County, Washington. This gives the District county-wide service authority and sets the legal boundaries of the District at, but not limited to, the boundaries of the County. The District has agreed with other water utilities participating in the Skagit County Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) process on the designated service areas for each water system. The District’s service area is essentially the entire county except for those areas already served by another public water system. The formal Service Area Agreement is included as Appendix B.
As evidenced by the regionally agreed upon 2000 CWSP, the District is generally recognized as the most capable regional water purveyor in Skagit County. As a protection for future water customers, the District is hesitant to limit it’s retail service
2-17 area It does not seem to be to the benefit of the District’s current or future customers to reduce the District’s retail service area to something less than what was regionally agreed upon in the 2000 CWSP; which has been subsequently applied to the District’s Judy water rights. If the District were to reduce its retail service area, a customer may arise outside the boundary requiring public review of an expansion of the District’s retail service area. Delays and challenges to that process could lead that customer to develop an exempt well or abandon the project.
In accordance with RCW 40.20.260, the District defines its retail service area as concurrent with the service area boundaries as defined in the 2000 CWSP.
According to the municipal water law, the District has a duty to provide retail water service within its retail service area (established in RCW 43.20.260) if:
(1) its service can be available in a timely and reasonable manner;
(2) the District has sufficient water rights to provide the service;
(3) the District has sufficient capacity to serve the water in a safe and reliable manner as determined by the Department of Health; and
(4) it is consistent with the requirements of any comprehensive plans or development regulations adopted under chapter 36.70A RCW or any other applicable comprehensive plan, land use plan, or development regulation adopted by a city, town, or county for the service area and, for water service by the water utility of a city or town, with the utility service extension ordinances of the city or town.
As a general philosophy, the District considers this ‘duty to serve’ as a protection of the rights of existing or future water service customers to be served water by the District if they desire. Water users within the District’s service area may be served water from the District so long as they accept the District’s service requirements. The District does not interpret the ‘duty to serve’ as requiring all new water users within the District’s service area to be required to obtain water from the District. However, the District does recognize that it has made commitments to reduce the proliferation of exempt wells in the 1996 MOA, and will strive to distribute piped water where possible.
The Municipal water law does not provide clear definition for what constitutes “timely and reasonable.” DOH guidance documents indicate that this definition is to be left to the local jurisdiction or water purveyor.
Timely and Reasonable An individual or developer seeking public water system service is required to receive service from a designated utility (as indicated in the CWSP) but is entitled to appeal this requirement. For the District this is any area of Skagit County not identified as the service area of another public water system. Other public water systems should be
2-18 approached before the District, when new customers are within ½-mile of their water system service boundaries.
The District considers service to be “timely and reasonable” if it can be provided within 120 calendar days of all fees being paid to the District, with the following provisions:
1. If the extent of water service requested requires construction of major facilities such as the replacement or installation of new storage tanks, wells, booster pumps or transmission or distribution mains, the time associated with construction and permitting will be added to the 120 days. The time period will commence after the payment of fees.
2. Construction of water facilities are subject to design review and approval at state and local levels. The “construction time” includes state and local permitting, construction season considerations, and coordination with other planned infrastructure projects such as road, sewer, lights, etc. “Construction time” activities are in addition to the 120-day period.
3. A letter of water-availability indicating the conditions for the provision of service will be drafted and sent to the new customer prior to the 120-day period. The District’s water service policies are defined in the Water Code (Appendix D). A customer is responsible for paying for appropriate connections charges, and/or costs of extending or upgrading facilities.
4. If an appeal is requested it will be evaluated per the terms of the 2000 CWSP appeal procedure.
Water Rights A summary of the District’s water rights is addressed in Section 3 of this Water System Plan.
Capacity The physical capacity of the District’s water systems is addressed in Section 3 and in Appendix I.
Consistency Consistency determinations are as provided by the local land use authorities. Copies of the consistency determinations for this plan are located in Appendix F.
Priority Service Areas In coordination with Skagit County, the District has identified higher priority areas for the provision of water service. These priorities include: (1) service to Urban Growth Areas, (2) service to areas with limited access to on-site water supplies under state instream flow rules (Chapters 173-503 and 173-505 WAC), (3) service to areas with pre- existing higher rural density land use designations and corresponding County comprehensive plan designations which recognize these areas (i.e., limited areas of more
2-19 intensive rural development (LAMIRD), as authorized by RCW 36.70A.070(5)(d)(i)) and are located within low-flow stream basins identified in Skagit County's Critical Areas Ordinance (Skagit County Code 14.24). To the extent possible, the District will attempt to serve these areas with piped domestic water without subsidizing service by way of existing ratepayers
The District has been contacted regarding service to LaConner and for many rural areas, including Allen Island, Humphrey Hill, Lake McMurray, Starbird Road, areas around Clear Lake, Big Lake, Pass Lake, Ten Lake, Lake Cavanaugh, Concrete, Samish River Park, Fonk Road and several islands. These in-County areas fall with the District’s retail service area. The District will provide retail water service to those customers desiring water service, so long as it is done meeting the provisions of the District’s water code, and can be provided in a timely and reasonable manner.
2.7 Future Service Area As outlined in the District’s Service Area Agreement (see Appendix B), the District has the potential of serving any area within the County not already a designated service area of another approved water utility. Furthermore, per RCW 54.16.030, the District has the authority to serve water to any person or public or private corporation outside its designated service area, “including full and exclusive authority to sell and regulate and control the use, distribution, and price thereof.”
Future service area The District has discussed with the Samish Water District around Lake Samish in Whatcom County regarding extension of service, and has been approached by utilities in Island County and San Juan County regarding satellite service. Any potential customer(s) outside Skagit County further has the opportunity to have its area annexed into the service territory of the District, provided their area is contiguous with the District’s existing service boundary. The conditions and processes for annexation are outlined in RCW 54.04.035; annexation affords the customer(s) representation as constituent(s) of a Commissioner and allows the customer(s) to vote for District Commissioners. Any future expansion of water service area should also address section IV. G. 2 of the 1996 MOA which states:
(the parties agree) “To reach agreement prior to expanding service areas beyond those identified in the CWSP. Such agreement will be based on evaluations of additional needs existing at the time, and after considering additional needs that may exist after the 50-year term of this Agreement. If the Parties cannot agree, then they may not seek or approve any changes relating to water quantity associated with the expansions of service areas for a period of 50 years from the effective date of this Agreement.”
2.8 Service Area Agreements
The CWSP Regional Supplement identified the District and the City of Anacortes as the responsible entities for serving growth in the urban areas. Accordingly, the District and
2-20 Anacortes implemented a Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) for development of shared regional water supply facilities. A copy of the JOA is included in Appendix C. Under the terms of the JOA, the District and Anacortes agree to pursue joint use facilities for their mutual benefit, especially those that would provide a backup supply from one utility to the other during an emergency shutdown or catastrophic failure. Such facilities may include strategically-located interties (preferably two-way), distribution storage tanks, and new or improved water treatment facilities. The Riverbend Intertie was the first facility developed under the JOA, and the Skagit River MOA was an out-growth of the JOA. Additional or expanded interties must first consider and plan for in-county consumptive and non-consumptive needs, then consider demands outside the county.
The District also has water service agreements with two wholesale water purchasers: Samish Farms Water District, and the North Fir Island Water Association.
2.9 Service Area Policies The District’s policies for its routine administration and operation are contained in its Water Code, in Appendix D.
2.10 Satellite Management Agencies The District is the primary Satellite Management Agency for Skagit County (Satellite Management Agency #103) and, as identified in the Agreement and the CWSP, will work with any water system that is unable to provide service within or adjacent to its own designated service area, and will evaluate service to any new system in undesignated areas. The District will provide service whenever financially feasible, and may provide service either by line extension from an existing system or establishment of a new remote system. This process is covered in greater detail in Section 10, Satellite System Program.
2.11 Conditions of Service The District’s policies for its routine administration and operation, including general conditions for water service are contained in its Water Code, in Appendix D.
2.12 Complaints The District’s policies for addressing drinking water complaints require that complaints are currently evaluated and investigated by the Engineering Manager or Water Quality Coordinator, and documented by the Water Quality Coordinator. As the problem is described by the customer, details of the complaint are to be recorded, and a water quality complaint form is available to ensure all necessary information is gathered.
The Engineering Manager or Water Quality Coordinator will try to resolve the problem right away, when possible. If further investigation or action is necessary, these individuals will determine who should respond and in what fashion. It is a goal to avoid the person placing the complaint from calling around to different people. The Engineering Manager or Water Quality Coordinator will refer the matter to the appropriate person, and will provide written notes or the complaint form. If the situation requires, a District employee will follow-up to ensure customer satisfaction.
2-21
The nature of certain complaints may also warrant the involvement of the Skagit County Public Health Department (SCPHD) and/or the State Department of Health (DOH). In the event that the nature of the complaint involves one of the following conditions, the appropriate health official should be contacted immediately:
• Water quality is compromised, • The complainant notes that the water has caused an illness, • There is an unusual event, or • The District determines that SCPHD and/or DOH can provide beneficial assistance to deal with the complaint.
Many routine questions and minor complaints can be resolved promptly, and there is no need for documentation. These types of complaints include dip tube decay and questions regarding pH or fluoride. If there is a major complaint, it is important to record the nature of the complaint and the results of any action taken noted on the customer complaint form. These types of complaints include chlorine taste or smell, debris or materials in the water, discolored water, and musty odors. A record of all actions is returned to the Water Quality Coordinator to be logged into a computer database of water complaints.
Table 2.1 summarizes the number of water quality complaints logged that were not attributed to ongoing taste and odor events related to algae.
Table 2.1 – Summary of Number of Water Quality Complaints Number of Water Quality Complaints by Year
2001 14 2002 22 2003 11 2004 21 2005 10 2006 23
On occasion, as during an algae related taste and odor event, the number of complaints exceeds the ability of the Engineering Manager and Water Quality Coordinator to address customers individually. In such instances, information is provided to all Customer Service staff regarding the nature, expected duration, and health effects of the taste-and- odor event, and complaints are addressed by Customer Service as well. During these events, all complaints were not logged individually. During such taste and odor events, the number of complaints can reach into the 100’s each day. However, future events will be better anticipated and more complete records will be kept.
The District responds to all taste and odor complaints. The District makes every effort to physically visit the customer’s residence or place of business. Each call is then recorded on a standard complaint form and kept in a file. The Water Treatment Plant is also part of the communication chain for information or advice.
2-22 Each week, routine complaints received are included in the General Manager’s Report, presented at the District Commissioner’s Meeting. The complaint record is maintained at the District office, and is available for inspection and review.
2.13 Service Area Consistency
According to the Municipal Water Law, expansion of the place of use on a water right through an approved WSP requires local government consistency determinations. The District’s water rights already correspond to the CWSP, and the District has no plans at this time to expand the place of use beyond those identified on existing water rights.
The consistency determinations of land use agencies within the District’s service area are provided in Appendix F.
2-23
3 Planning Data and Water Demand Forecasting The objective of this chapter is to adequately plan to accommodate District water needs based on projected land use and population changes.
3.1 Current Population Federal census information was gathered in 1990 and 2000. Between census-years, annual projections from the Office of Financial Management (OFM) provide estimates of population. Table 3.1 indicates the historical trend of population levels within Skagit County as a whole. As evidenced in the table, population has been steadily increasing since 1990.
Table 3.1 – Historical Population Levels within Skagit County (1990-2006) Census OFM Estimates 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 79,545 82,882 85,574 88,938 91,316 93,584 95,962 97,848 99,847 102,071
Census OFM Estimates 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 102,979 104,100 105,100 106,700 108,800 110,900 113,100 3.1.1 Current Population Distribution
Table 3.2 presents population as distributed by location within the County.
Table 3.2 –Population By Locality within Skagit County (2000-2006) Population by Census OFM Estimates Municipality 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Anacortes 14,557 14,840 14,910 15,110 15,470 15,700 16,170 Burlington 6,757 6,995 7,190 7,315 7,425 7,550 8,120 Concrete 790 790 790 780 785 815 840 Hamilton 309 325 340 340 340 330 330 La Conner 761 765 775 760 785 795 839 Lyman 409 410 415 425 440 450 450 Mount Vernon 26,232 26,460 26,670 27,060 27,720 28,210 28,710 Sedro-Woolley 8,658 8,700 8,805 9,080 9,380 9,800 9,755 All Incorporated 58,473 59,285 59,895 60,870 62,345 63,650 65,214 All Unincorporated 44,506 44,815 45,205 45,830 46,455 47,250 47,886 Total Skagit County 102,979 104,100 105,100 106,700 108,800 110,900 113,100
Countywide Rate of Increase 1.08% 0.95% 1.50% 1.93% 1.89% 1.95% Mount Vernon, Burlington, Sedro- 1.21% 1.20% 1.82% 2.40% 2.27% 2.20% Woolley, Rate of Increase
3-24 3.1.2 Current Customers The District tracks customer accounts and water consumption through its billing system. The billing system database is queried and recorded on a monthly basis. Based upon these queries the total number of services, active services, and billed consumption are tracked. The billing system also characterizes each service by system, meter-size, customer type, general location, etc.
As Table 3.3 demonstrates, the number of customer accounts has grown steadily since 1998. The rate of increase in services has outpaced the rate of growth in the County as a whole. This is to be expected as growth is occurring at a faster pace in the urban areas served by the District than in the County as a whole.
Table 3.3 –Total Number of District Services (2000-2006) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Active Services 19339 19693 20210 20773 21300 21784 22462 Total Installed Services 19908 20331 20840 21351 21827 22310 22923 Rate of increase 1.96% 1.80% 2.56% 2.71% 2.47% 2.22% 3.02%
3.1.3 Location and Customer Type Through the District’s billing system, customer types and general locations are monitored. Table 3.4 indicates the number of active services by customer type and water system from 2006.
Table 3.4 – Active District Services by Customer Type (2006) 2006 Number of Active Services by Customer Type Residential Multi- Commercial Farms Govt Resale Irrigation Com, Fire Other Total Family /Non-Profit Indust, Protection Accounts Tribal by System Judy 18308 1196 1693 125 171 2 151 3 113 9 21771 Fidalgo Island 6481511-4-----678 Alger 91- 6-2-----99 Cedargrove 157-1------158 Mountain View 141 ------15 Marblemount ------0 Potlatch 32------32 Rockport 52- 2-4-----58 Skagit View Village 56------56
TOTAL 19358 1212 1713 125 181 2 151 3 113 9
3-25
3.2 Current Water Demands The District monitors water production and consumption via 81 source and pressure zone meters, as well as nearly 22,000 distribution meters. Source and zone meters are read on a monthly basis; whereas customer meters are read on either a monthly or bi-monthly basis.
3.2.1 Production Table 3.5 presents annual water demands by water system for the 2000-2006 timeframe.
Table 3.5 Annual Water Production and Purchases Total Annual Production Including Water Purchases (1000's of Gallons) Water System 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Judy 2,687,636 2,684,333 2,715,928 2,948,180 2,881,292 2,792,635 2,861,020 Purchased 429,652 178,721 179,732 397,662 306,574 152,841 323,212 Fidalgo Island 50,653 43,736 45,661 54,235 59,326 49,205 Alger 4,358 6,733 6,391 6,803 8,028 7,826 8,656 Cedargrove 9,477 10,697 13,404 12,200 14,874 15,177 21,318 Marblemount ------Mountain View 905 882 829 1,339 1,041 1,018 1,157 Potlatch Beach 585 544 577 625 615 422 456 Rockport 3,817 3,811 3,240 3,676 Skagit View Village - - - - not full year 1,640 3,165 Total 2,753,614 2,746,925 2,782,790 3,027,199 2,968,987 2,871,163 2,899,448
As Table 3.4 demonstrates, around 97-percent of all District water demand is within the Judy System. Not included in the table is beneficial water use for reservoir flushing. Also, all the water use for Fidalgo Island is purchased from the City of Anacortes.
3.2.2 Demand Types The majority of the District’s water demands are billed customers; however, other water demands include the District’s hydrant meter program, distribution system flushing program, raw water reservoir flushing program, fire department water usage, water theft, and leakage. Water demand which is not metered and billed is substantially more difficult to account for.
3.2.3 Demand by Location Based on master meter readings, it is possible to track water demands for portions of the District’s Judy water system. Figure 3.1 illustrates the average day demands within the areas which are tracked in the Judy system.
3-26 3-27
3.2.4 Equivalent Residential Units
Billing data for the 2004-2006 timeframe indicate an average consumption of 178 gallons-per-service-per-day (gpsd) for single family residential services in the Judy Reservoir service area. By definition, the District will use 178 gallons per service per day (gpsd) for Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) calculations relating non-residential or multi-family water used to single family residences for the Judy System. Values for each system are given in Table 3.6 below.
Table 3.6 - Equivalent Residential Units by water system
Avg Consumption Systemwide Water System Per ERU (gpsd) ADD (GPD) Total ERU'S Judy 178 7,838,000 44,080 Fidalgo Island 121 135,000 1,114 Alger 156 24,000 154 Cedargrove 103 58,000 563 Marblemount -- - Mountain View 189 3,000 16 Potlatch Beach 44 1,000 23 Rockport 143 10,000 70 Skagit View Village 113 9,000 80
As seen in Table 3.6 there is a variation in the usage per ERU depending on water system. This variation appears to be a function of the rate structure, typical lot sizes, and full-time versus part-time residency of water users.
Peak Factors. Based on real time data collected at the District’s Judy Reservoir Water Treatment Plant, the District has calculated water consumption use factors to compare average and maximum day use. For calendar year 2006, the water use and peaking factors in the Judy Reservoir system were as shown in table 3.7:
Table 3.7 – 2006 Judy Reservoir Average Day Demand and Peaking Factors Overall Peaking Production Factor
Average day demand 9.5 mgd 1.0
Maximum day 15.9 mgd 1.7 demand
The numbers presented in Table 3.7 indicate the total water processed by the plant for a given average day or maximum day. This is a different quantity than the finished water produced by the plant, and does not include intertie purchases.
3-28 3.2.5 Regional Water Demands As detailed in Section 2, the District is responsible for water service consistent with the conditions of the CWSP throughout the entire Skagit County, and adjacent areas including the Stanwood/Camano Island area in Snohomish County, and the Lake Samish area in Whatcom County. The District’s service area is also concurrent with the City of Anacortes, which includes North Whidbey Island, the City of Oak Harbor, and the Whidbey Naval Air Base. Because of the regional coverage of the District’s service area, a discussion of regional water demands is prudent.
3.2.5.1 Anacortes Anacortes is the region’s largest water producer. Per Anacortes’ 2000 Water System Plan, their average daily demands are approximately as shown in Table 3-8 below:
Table 3.8 – City of Anacortes Water System Average Day Demands
2000 Tesoro Refinery 5.1 mgd Equillon Refinery 7.0 mgd City of Anacortes 1.8 mgd Oak Harbor and NAS Whidbey Island 2.4 mgd Town of LaConner and Shelter Bay 0.4 mgd Swinomish Indian Tribal Community 0.1 mgd District’s Judy Reservoir System 0.3 mgd District’s Fidalgo Island System 0.2 mgd Est’d Unaccounted-for Water 0.2 mgd TOTAL Average Demands: 17.6 mgd
Domestic Demands Only: 5.5 mgd Peak Factor 1.5
As referred to in Section 4.4 of the District’s 1993 Joint Operating Agreement with Anacortes “Planning for additional facilities will commence, unless otherwise agreed to in writing, no later than the date at which any party’s demand reaches 85-percent of that party’s capacity rights or when the five-year forecast exceeds the capacity.”
Currently, the District has water rights (based on the 1996 MOA) of 35.7 MGD. Based on the high-growth projections given in 3.5.1, the District will not exceed an ADD of 30.3 (85% of 35.7) until well beyond 2025.
3.2.5.2 Other Water Systems The 2000 CWSP Regional Supplement identified 22-expanding community systems, 45- non-expanding/non-community sytems, 24-non-expanding/community sytems, and 93- Group B systems within Skagit County. Due to the large number of these water systems, and their unique characteristics, it is difficult to summarize these existing regional demands.
3-29 3.3 Current Land Use There are five agencies with land use authority within the service areas of the District: Skagit County, the City of Mount Vernon, the City of Burlington, the City of Sedro- Woolley, the Upper Skagit Tribe, and the Samish Indian Nation (although it is unclear what the requirements are for consistency review for the tribal nations under the municipal water law). The current zoning maps for the municipal and County organizations are included in Appendix E.
As indicated in the table 3.9 which follows, 90-percent of Skagit County is comprised of Natural Resource Lands or Public Lands.
Table 3.9 Generalized Land Use within Skagit County
3.4 Forecasted Population The District is a municipal corporation; however, it does not govern the creation of land use plans, comprehensive plans, or development regulations within its service area. However, with the passage of the Municipal Water Law (Municipal Water Supply - Efficiency Requirements Act Chapter 5, Laws of 2003) the District requires local government consistency determinations between this Water System Plan and local land use plans, comprehensive plans, coordinated water system plans, watershed plans, and development regulations (RCW 90.03.386). See Appendix F – Consistency Statement Checklists.
Therefore, those population projections used in development of this plan are taken from outside agency approved plans.
3.4.1 Adopted GMA Projections The Skagit County Growth Management Act Steering Committee has adopted a 2025 population forecast of 149,080 for Skagit County. This is near the mid-point between the Office of Financial Management’s Low and Medium Projections. Based on the 80% urban / 20% rural goal for new growth, this amounts to 105,750 urban residents and 43,330 rural residents in 2025. A higher rate of growth is expected in the areas near the I-5 corridor. The adopted population forecast is detailed in table 3.10.
3-30
Table 3.10 GMA Steering Committee adopted Population Projections
As mentioned, the adopted projections are based on projections of potential population change as developed by the Office of Financial Management. Those projections are for increasing population growth through 2025 as summarized in Table 3.11.
Table 3.11 OFM Projections of Total Skagit County Population (2000-2025) (released Jan, 2002) Avg Annual Rate of Increase 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 High 2.67% 102,979 121,451 137,054 154,785 176,627 198,992 Intermediate 1.90% 102,979 113,136 123,807 135,717 150,449 164,797 Low 1.21% 102,979 106,914 113,902 121,467 130,891 139,253
3-31 3.4.2 CWSP Projections
The Skagit County CWSP included population forecast beyond 2025. The basis for this projection appears to be the OFM trends, but extrapolated over a longer time span. For the purposes of examining potential long-range water usage, these projections from 2000- 2050 are included in Table 3.12.
Table 3.12 2000 CWSP Projections (from Table 7-3) Low Medium High 2000 101,617 103,475 106,454 2010 118,853 125,510 136,644 2020 139,560 152,812 176,067 2030 161,890 183,374 220,083 2040 187,792 220,049 275,104 2050 217,839 264,059 343,880 3.5 Forecasted Water Demands Projections of water demands are closely tied to the projections of population increase for Skagit County, as well as the possibility of large new customers (i.e. new industrial demands, or regional wholesale water customers). Because of the unknown nature of water useage needs, a range of projections are examined in the following sections.
3.5.1 High Growth Scenario The analysis presented in Table 3.13 presents a combination of the OFM high population growth projections for Skagit County, as well as outside of County demand and new industrial demands as presented in the 2000 Coordinated Water System Plan. Table 3.13 Projected High Population Growth and Water Demands 2025 Population Water Demand (MGD) Public Utility District 2025 ADD MDD GPCD Burlington 16,866 Mount Vernon 54,748 Sedro-Woolley 20,015 Bayview 3,285 Rural Judy SVC area 21,625 Outside of County Demand - 1.5 3.5 New Industrial Demand - 5.0 5.0
Subtotal Judy: 116,539 22.15 38.24 134
Fidalgo Island 2,566 0.271 Alger 444 0.039 Cedargrove 694 0.068 Rockport 213 0.039 Skagit View Village 483 0.019 Marblemount 242 0.063 Mountain View 56 0.006 Potlatch 131 0.002 Subtotal PUD Remote: 4,829 0.50 0.96 105
3-32
3.5.2 Intermediate Growth Scenario The analysis presented in Table 3.15 presents a combination of the OFM medium population growth projections for Skagit County, as well as outside of County demand and new industrial demands as extrapolated from the 2000 Coordinated Water System Plan.
Table 3.15 Projected Medium Population Growth and Water Demands 2025 Population Water Demand (MGD) Public Utility District 2025 ADD MDD GPCD Burlington 13,972 Mount Vernon 45,356 Sedro-Woolley 16,582 Bayview 2,721 Rural Judy SVC area 17,915 Outside of County Demand - New Industrial Demand -
Subtotal Judy: 96,547 12.97 24.64 134
Fidalgo Island 2,126 0.223 Alger 368 0.039 Cedargrove 575 0.060 Rockport 176 0.018 Skagit View Village 400 0.042 Marblemount 200 0.021 Mountain View 46 0.005 Potlatch 109 0.011 Subtotal PUD Remote: 4,001 0.42 0.80 105
3-33 3.5.3 Low Growth Scenario The analysis presented in Table 3.16 presents a combination of the OFM low population growth projections for Skagit County, and assumes no new out-of-county demands or large new industrial users.
Table 3.16 Projected Low Population Growth and Water Demands 2025 Population Water Demand (MGD) Public Utility District 2025 ADD MDD GPCD Burlington 11,790 Mount Vernon 38,270 Sedro-Woolley 13,991 Bayview 2,296 Rural Judy SVC area 15,117 Outside of County Demand - - - New Industrial Demand - - -
Subtotal Judy: 81,464 10.94 20.79 134
Fidalgo Island 1,794 0.189 Alger 311 0.027 Cedargrove 485 0.047 Rockport 149 0.027 Skagit View Village 338 0.013 Marblemount 169 0.031 Mountain View 39 0.004 Potlatch 92 0.001 Subtotal PUD Remote: 3,376 0.34 0.65 101 3.5.4 Effect of Conservation Measures The District was required by WAC 246-290-830 to set measurable six-year Water Use Efficiency Conservation Goals that maintain or reduce water use. These goals were adopted on January 22, 2008 by the District’s Board, and are as follows:
1. Reduce unaccounted for water by one percent in the next six years.
2. Reduce consumption per Equivalent Residential Units from 178 gallons per service per day to 175 gallons per service per day in the next six years.
3. Reduce the summer peak flows from 1.7 times Average Daily Demand to 1.6 times Average Daily Demand.
If we assume successful water use reductions in keeping with the goals; Goal 1 should reduce the water consumption by 1/6th percent for each of the next 6-years (assuming that this unaccounted for water is leakage). Goal 2 would result in a 1.6-percent reduction in residential demand at the end of 6-years. Residential demand constitutes around 58-percent of the Judy System demands, and close to 100-percent of the satellite system demands. Goal 3 would decrease the maximum day from 1.7-times ADD to 1.6 times ADD. A determination of 2027 demands is difficult to extrapolate from the
3-34 conservation projections because new customers are likely to use less water per capita owing to required efficient fixtures; however for the purpose of this extrapolation, it is assumed that this would manifest as a percentage decrease of the total.
The combined effects of the District’s goals on total annual demands are summarized in the tables which follow:
Projected Production Without Efficiency Measures (1000's of Gallons) System 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2027 Judy System 2,962,317 3,014,303 3,067,201 3,121,027 3,175,798 3,231,530 3,288,241 4,122,711 Fidalgo Island 50,638 51,125 51,617 52,113 52,615 53,121 53,631 60,737 Alger 8,962 9,120 9,280 9,443 9,608 9,777 9,949 12,473 Cedargrove 21,730 21,939 22,150 22,363 22,577 22,795 23,014 26,061 Rockport 3,748 3,784 3,821 3,858 3,895 3,933 3,971 4,501 Skagit View Village 3,227 3,258 3,289 3,321 3,353 3,386 3,418 3,874
Projected Production With Efficiency Measures (1000's of Gallons) System 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2027 Judy System 2,952,798 3,004,617 3,057,345 3,110,998 3,165,593 3,221,146 3,277,674 4,109,464 Fidalgo Island 50,419 50,904 51,393 51,888 52,387 52,890 53,399 60,474 Alger 8,924 9,080 9,240 9,402 9,567 9,735 9,905 12,419 Cedargrove 21,636 21,844 22,054 22,266 22,480 22,696 22,914 25,948 Rockport 3,731 3,768 3,804 3,841 3,878 3,916 3,954 4,482 Skagit View Village 3,213 3,244 3,275 3,307 3,339 3,371 3,403 3,857 3.5.5 Discussion The maximum day demand for the Judy System projects to be in the range of 20.79 MGD to 38.24 MGD (by 2025). The expanded 30 MGD water treatment facility at Judy Reservoir should cover demands except maximum days under the high-growth projections. However, the District will explore cooperative water supply strategies for any make-up water which may be necessary.
The District has reviewed the planning documents of the three large municipalities within its Judy service area. The District recognizes that it must work with these Cities to assure adequate urban public water facilities are provided. The District’s projections of population are consistent with those used in the GMA planning of these Cities.
3.6 Water Rights The District has water rights for all water systems, except the Potlatch System which withdraws seawater and does not require a water right; and Fidalgo Island which purchases water from the City of Anacortes. Copies of the District’s water rights are included in Appendix G.
3.6.1 Judy Reservoir System The Judy Reservoir System has traditionally diverted water from Cultus Mountain streams (Mundt, Turner, Salmon, and Gilligan) and impounded that water in Judy
3-35 Reservoir. This cyclical operation of the District’s water resources meant that the District would collect water through fall and winter, and fill Judy Reservoir by spring. During the summer the reservoir level falls as water demands exceed water collected from streams.
The District is in the process of significantly modifying its raw water collection protocol. In the 1996 Memorandum of Agreement Regarding Utilization of Skagit River Basin Water Resources for Instream and Out Of Stream Purposes (MOA), the District agreed to operate its raw water collection in a manner which was protective of minimum instream flows in the Cultus Mountain Streams and the Skagit River.
The District’s Judy Reservoir water rights are significantly linked to the 1996 MOA. Figure 3.2 graphically illustrates the relationship of the District’s water rights to instream flows. At the time of this plan writing, the raw-water diversion pump station on the Skagit River has not been completed.
Full implementation of the water use conditions of the 1996 MOA is contingent on the completion of the Skagit River Diversion pump station (because a source of water from the Skagit River is necessary for raw water supply when the Cultus Streams are below established minimum instream flows). This pumping station will play a key role in the management of the raw water resources for the District. Also, approval of water right transfers and new water rights can not be fully processed until this pump station is complete.
The District is making preparations for the full implementation of the 1996 MOA conditions including Exhibit A, which requires the District and City of Anacortes to enact certain implementation usage reduction and public information measures depending on the flow of the Skagit River and duration of the low flow event. These measures are summarized in the tables which follow:
3-36 Measures to be taken when flows in Skagit River at less than 1.2-times the Alert Level I minimum instream flow. Implementation Measures Duration (days) 1-2 1 No change in water withdrawal/treatment plant operations The PUD will evaluate the flow conditions in their Cultus Mountain project for the period(s) of low floaw and will implement a program to maximize storage in Judy Reservoir. The PUD will also use peaking flows from up- and down ramping at the upstream dams in the 2 Skagit River to keep Judy Reservoir full. On behalf of the SRFMC, outline the route of flows from the upstream Skagit River dams downstream to the PUD pipeline crossing using the upstream dam operating rule curves, projected flows from the intervening areas, historical records of streamflows at the 3 upstream gaging stations, and standard routing procedures. 4 Prepare PSA #1 3-14 1 No change in water withdrawal/treatment plant operations 2 The PUD will continue its program to maximize storage in Judy Reservoir Promote a program of voluntary water use reduction by all City and PUD water customers, 3 with a goal of ten percent (10%) reduction in peak day demand. Issue PSA # 1 to newspaper and radio media requesting voluntary reduction of 4 discretionary use of water
In conjunction with the Tribes, monitor and evaluate critical elements of the Lower Skagit River Instream Flows against planned and projected fisheries and habitat management plans for the period(s) of projected low flow. Elements of the Lower Skagit River Instream Flow to be evaluated include: the projected timing of use and passage of fish through the reach of the Skagit River downstream of the PUD river crossing; a comparison of routed flows (provided by the City and PUD) with flows required by the Instream Flow; and the effects of the routed flows on habitat conditions existing or projected to exist during the low flow period(s). Results of the Lower Skagit River Instream Flow critical elements 5 monitoring and evaluation will be provided by the City and PUD. The City and PUD shall develop/refine a "Contingency Plan of Operation" for the period(s) of low flow using: the routed flows from the upstream reaches of the Skagit River; maximized storage in Judy Reservoir; results from the Instream Flow monitoring and evaluation assessment; estimates of water savings from voluntary water use reduction program(s); and weather and water supply forecasts for the Skagit River Basin. The "Contingency Plan of Operations" will provide for conjunctive use of the PUD's Cultus Mountain Project and the City's and PUD's Skagit River facilities. The "Contingency Plan of Operations" will optimize the PUD's use of water from Judy Reservoir during periods when demands exceed available withdrawals from the City's and PUD's Skagit River facilities and the PUD's Cultus Mountain project due to established instream flows on 6 those water courses. 15+ 1 No change in water withdrawal/treatment plant operations 2 The PUD will continue its program to maximize storage in Judy Reservoir Continue a program of voluntary water use reduction by all City and PUD water 3 customers, with a goal of ten percent (10%) reduction. Continue to refine the "Contingency Plan of Operations" based on additional streamflow 4 information and City and PUD customer demand information. 5 Continue PSA #1 by newspaper and radio media.
3-37 Alert Level II Measures to be taken when flow in the Skagit River falls below instream flow levels Implementation Measures Duration (days) 1-2 1 Limit water withdrawals to quantities exempt from Lower Skagit River Instream Flows 2 The PUD will continue its program to maximize storage in Judy Reservoir Implement the "Contingency Plan of Operations". Continue to refine the "Contingency Plan of Operations" based on additional streamflow information and City and PUD 3 customer demand information. Notify the upstream Skagit River dams of the downstream flow situation and arrange for 4 additional releases, if possible, if the situation continues. 5 Continue PSA #1 by newspaper and radio media. 6 Prepare PSA #2. 3-14 1 Limit water withdrawals to quantities exempt from Lower Skagit River Instream Flows. 2 The PUD will continue its program to maximize storage in Judy Reservoir. Continue implementation of the "Contingency Plan of Operations". Continue to refine the "Contingency Plan of Operations" based on additional streamflow information and City 3 and PUD customer demand information. Request the upstream Skagit River dam operators to commence additional releases. Such additional releases should be timed to realize the effect of the release at the PUD pipeline crossing at the time of projected deficient streamflow. The City and PUD will 4 base their request(s) on established routing procedures. 5 Issue PSA #2 to newspaper and radio media. Limit water withdrawals to quantities exempt from Lower Skagit River Instream Flows, and 15+ 1 seek voluntary reduction in demand to meet instream flows. 2 The PUD will continue its program to maximize storage in Judy Reservoir. Continue implementation of the "Contingency Plan of Operations". Continue to refine the "Contingency Plan of Operations" based on additional streamflow information and City 3 and PUD customer demand information. 4 Continue to request the upstream Skagit River continue additional releases. 5 Continue PSA #2 by newspaper and radio media.
The Judy System water rights are summarized in Table 3.17.
3-38 Table 3.17 – Judy System Water Rights Certificated Rights Qi, Max Priority Diversion Qa, Name Status Certification # Date (cfs) (MGD) (ac-ft) Comments TOGETH W/ S1-00737C, Qi <= MUNDT CREEK CERTIFICATED VOL 1, PG 26 9/28/1917 2.5 1.62 1810 8.0cfs & Qa <= 3886 afy
TURNER CREEK CERTIFICATED CLAIM 9333 PRE-1917 4.3 2.78 2300 Vested Right Transferred to District SUPPLEMENTAL TO 8738 AND R1- TURNER CREEK CERTIFICATED S1-00739C 10/30/1963 6.2 4.01 0 00673C SUPPLEMENTAL TO 26, 8738 MUNDT CREEK CERTIFICATED S1-00737C 10/30/1963 8 5.17 3886 AND R1-00673C
SALMON CREEK CERTIFICATED CLAIM 9332 PRE-1917 1.8 1.16 307 Vested Right transferred to District
GILLIGAN CREEK CERTIFICATED VOL 1, PG 441 10/10/1929 1.5 0.97 0 From Puget Sound Pulp and Timber
GILLIGAN CREEK CERTIFICATED S1-00724C 10/30/1963 7.39 4.78 3700 Supplemental to existing 1.5cfs right Approved for transfer to Skagit SKAGIT RIVER RANNEY WELL TRANSFERRING VOL 5, PG 2107-A 5/12/1954 8.91 5.76 6400 River Diverision Approved for transfer to Skagit SEDRO WOOLLEY WELL TRANSFERRING VOL 4, PG 1904-A 3/26/1953 2.01 1.30 1440 River Diversion
Claims Qi, Max Priority Diversion Qa, Name Status Certification # Date (cfs) (MGD) (ac-ft) Comments Vested Right Transferred to District - PIGEON CREEK CLAIM CLAIM 9335 PRE-1917 0.2 0.13 40 not active Vested Right Transferred to District - ROCK SPRINGS CREEK CLAIM CLAIM 9334 PRE-1917 0.2 0.13 2900 not active Vested Right Transferred to District - UNNAMED CREEK CLAIM CLAIM 9336 PRE-1917 0.1 0.06 20 not active Vested Right Transferred to District - COLD SPRINGS CREEK CLAIM CLAIM 9337 PRE-1917 0.2 0.13 40 not active Vested Right Transferred to District - E FORK NOOKACHAMPS CLAIM CLAIM 9338 PRE-1917 - - not active
Applications Qi, Max Diversion Qa, Name Status Application # Priority Dat (cfs) (MGD) (ac-ft) Comments MUNDT CREEK APPLICATION S1-27861 10/22/1997 18.56 10.38 Part of MOA TURNER CREEK APPLICATION S1-27862 10/22/1997 6.6 4.27 Part of MOA Part of MOA, Oring Applic for 0.1 SALMON CREEK APPLICATON S1-*18219 10/30/1963 4.0 2.58 cfs Part of MOA, Oring Applic for 9.6 GILLIGAN CREEK APPLICATION S1-25129 11/16/1987 13.15 8.50 cfs SKAGIT RIVER PUMP STATION APPLICATION S1-27860 12.8 8.27 Part of MOA JANICKI CREEK APPLICATION S1-18220 9.0 5.82 DAY CREEK 4566, 14220 - - STARBIRD, T33, R04, 28 APPLICATION G1-26742 9/29/1992 1.11 0.72 STARBIRD, T33, R04, 33 APPLICATION G1-27030 3/31/1993 0.78 0.50
Certificated Storage Rights Priority Volume Name Status Certification # Permit # Date (ac-ft) JUDY RESERVOIR CERTIFICATED VOL 18, PG 8738 R-142 1/16/1946 1500 JUDY RESERVOIR CERTIFICATED R1-00673C BOOK 2, R- 4/24/1963 4250
Storage Right Applications Priority Volume Name Status Application # Permit # Date (ac-ft) DAY LAKE APPLICATION R-14221 1/24/1957 11200
3-39 3-40
The District’s total certificated and recorded surface water claims and rights in the Judy Reservoir system sum to a Qi of 31.69 cfs (20.48 mgd). The Qi for the Ranney Well and Sedro-Woolley Well sum to 10.90 cfs, bringing the total current “surface water” rights of the District to 42.59 cfs (27.52 mgd). This amount is not subject to Lower Skagit River Instream Flows, however any additional Qi approved by Ecology on the Skagit River for the District will be subject to Lower Skagit River Instream Flows. The total Qa for these surface water claims and rights supporting the Judy Reservoir water system is 18,755 Ac- Ft/yr, including both primary and supplemental rights. The individual Qa breakdown is also shown in Table 3.17.
As evidenced by the above discussion, the actual amount of annual water available to the District is subject to the streamflows during a given year. The District is studying the streamflow and Skagit River flow data, and will eventually develop a probable quantity of water available, and an operation plan for the stream and river diversions.
These rights are sufficient to supply the current usage (2861 MG in 2006) plus water being diverted and bypassed through the Judy Reservoir spillway / drain system to purge the impounded water, a form of water treatment that requires the bypass of an estimated 1,401 MG (about 4,300 Ac-ft) each year. This is an operating requirement that the District must divert water for, and is quantified and included as part of the District’s water rights even though it is essentially being returned to other surface waters of the Skagit River basin.
For water quality reasons, the District has not in recent years regularly used its ground water rights within the Judy Reservoir system for production purposes; these sources are reserved for situations (emergency/ summer supply) when Judy Reservoir and City of Anacortes intertie sources can not meet District demands. Once the Skagit River raw water pumping station is completed and in use, the Ranney Well and Sedro-Woolley Well are expected to be dismantled and properly abandoned.
3.6.2 Interties The District currently has four major interties between its Judy Reservoir system and the City of Anacortes’ water system. The frequency of use and hydraulic capacities of these interties are as indicated in Table 3-18. The Avon and Riverbend Interties have general benefit to the 214’ HGL pressure zone of the Judy Reservoir system.
The City of Anacortes currently designates a committed volume of 405 MG per year for use by the District (as of 2006, though this number can be changed by agreement between the City an District). Volumes in excess of 405 MG may be available but involve a higher cost per unit of water.
3-41 Table 3.18 – Judy Reservoir – Anacortes System Interties Historical Capacity Peak Description (mgd) Month Frequency of Use
Avon Intertie 2 73.3 MG Emergency/demand peak Fredonia Intertie 4.3 4.1 MG Daily (fire/demand peaks only) Lefeber Intertie 10 20.6 MG Daily (2.5 mgd MDD in year 2020) Riverbend Intertie 4.7 113.5 MG Emergency/demand peak Twin Bridges 4 0.04 MG Daily (domestic/fire demand) 3.6.3 Remote System Water Rights
The water rights for the District’s remote systems are summarized in Table 3.19 below: Table 3.19 – Remote System Water Rights Qi, Max Priority Diversion Qa, Name Status Certification # Permit # Date (gpm) (ac-ft) Comments Orig. Permit done by Hendrickson, MOUNTAIN VIEW WELL CERTIFICATED G1-25755C G1-25755P 6/26/1990 41 3.8 for 46gpm, 8acfy Supplemental with G1-22623C nte ROCKPORT WELL CERTIFICATED G1-25509 C G1-25509 P 8/25/1989 95 19 100gpm, 38.6acfy CEDARGROVE WELL CERTIFICATED G1-25994 C G1-25994 12/5/1990 262 53.8 Canceled 10/10/2001 - POTLATCH WELLS 1 AND 2 CANCELED PERMIT G1-24396 P 10/17/1983 30 9 emergency only Certificated to Alger Community ALGER WELL CERTIFICATED VOL 8, PG 3885-A BOOK 11, PG 5401 9/21/1960 100 100 Club, LLC Not in use - SOLD RESOLUTION WHITMARSH WELL #1 CERTIFICATED VOL 6, PG 2790-A 3916 12/1/1955 80 128 # 1622-94 Not in use - SOLD RESOLUTION WHITMARSH WELL #2 CERTIFICATED VOL 9, PG 4210-A 5543 3/20/1961 75 120 NO. 1619-94 MARBLEMOUNT PERMIT G1-28137P 6/4/2002 150 19.4 Requires stream augmentation SKAGIT VIEW VILLAGE PERMIT G1-20763P 7/24/1973 200 38.4 80 gpm interuptible 3.7 System Capacity Analysis Per the Municipal Water Law (SESSHB 1338) the District has a ‘duty to serve’ new connections within the District’s Retail Service Area, so long as certain criteria are met. One of these criteria is that the water system has sufficient capacity to serve the new connection.
The physical capacity of a water system is defined per WAC 246-290-222. The physical capacity is the number of ERU’s which can be served by a system based on an analysis of average day demand per ERU, water rights, source of supply, and storage capacity. The methodology to determine physical capacity is contained within the Department of Health Water System Design Manual. The computations of physical capacity are provided in Appendix I. When the physical capacity of the satellite systems were initially computed an Average Daily Demand (ADD) of 400 gallons-per-service-per-day (gpsd) was used, because actual usage data was unknown. However, actual billing data was used in these calculations as appropriate.
A summary of the physical capacity for each water system is provided in Table 3.20
3-42
Table 3.20 – Physical Capacity of District Water Systems Physical Consumpti Total Capacity on per Water Sold Remaining Most Limiting Water System: (ERUs) ERU 2006 (kgal) 2006 ERUs Capacity Element Judy Reservoir 57900 178 2,861,020 44,036 13,864 Standby Storage Fidalgo Island 2505 121 49,275 1,116 1,389 Source Pump Station Alger 219 156 8,656 152 67 Source Well Cedargrove 466 103 - 160 306 Annual Water Right Rockport 138 143 3,676 70 68 Capacity Rel Storage Skagit View Village 128 113 3,165 77 51 Water Right Cap Marblemount 43 400 n/a - 43 Annual Water Right Mountain View 14 189 1,157 14 At capacity Group B - no storage Potlatch 182 44 456 28 154 Capacity Rel Storage *Cedargrove water sold data high because of anomolous large use (leak during 2006) ** Marblemount consumption based per ERU based on DOH standard for systems without metered history.
As described in Section 8.1.5, the District uses a billing system were meter-reads are collected in the field via touch-read devices, radio read meters, and manual reads. Meters are read on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, and downloaded into an AS400 database installed in 1991. At the end of each month, the District’s accountant prints a hardcopy report of the bill-runs for the month. This report includes a query which summarizes billed consumption, and number of bills sent for the District’s 24,000 accounts by 15 customer classes, and 9 systems. The AS400 system does not keep more than each billing-cycle’s worth of information, so this summary information is re-entered by the District’s planning engineer into an excel spreadsheet so annual statistics can be generated.
To calculate ADD per ERU, the District’s planning engineer used an average of available annual consumption data in the system. By system the annual use in the residential category was divided by the number of bills.
This means of calculating ADD treats part-time residential users receiving a bill equally as full-time residential users receiving a bill. The assumption for planning purposes is that any additional users would follow the same use pattern as the existing users. The District has no means of distinguishing whether a new connection will be occupied full time or part time. Many of the District’s remote systems are in areas conducive to people owning second homes.
Certain systems are outside the norm in terms of statewide average day demand because of rates, or seasonal nature of the residency. Therefore caution and professional engineering principles should be exercised in evaluating how many additional connections can be made.
The District feels that it is unlikely that these satellite systems will be approaching capacity in the near future. This allows for periodic re-evaluation of system capacity to determine if customer usage patterns have changed.
3-43 4 System Analysis
4.1 Design Standards The District has established design standards for all water improvement projects, whether designed by the District or by another engineering firm/agency. The intent is that all projects be designed to the same standard to ensure uniformity of final product and of cost to the financier. The design standards are detailed in Appendix C of the District’s Water Code; the complete Water Code is attached as Appendix D of this Plan. Standard material and construction specifications are included as a portion of the Water Code. The design standards and material / construction specifications are the minimum allowed by the District; the District may impose more stringent requirements for specific projects based on the relation of the project to overall District water plant development.
4.1.1 Fire Protection While addressed in the Water Code, fire protection requires special note due to its tie to the CWSP Regional Supplement. Fire protection by fire hydrants and/or other means shall be required as determined by the Fire Marshal for the County or respective City. Spacing of fire hydrants shall be as determined by the Fire Marshal, using Table 4-1 as a minimum standard. The cost of each hydrant installation requested by a customer shall be borne totally by that customer. The cost of each new hydrant installation required by the Fire Marshal for a District-sponsored waterline replacement project shall be borne by the District; the cost of each additional hydrant beyond this requested by another party shall be borne by that party.
4-44 Table 4.1 Minimum Fire Flow Design Standards for New and Expanding Water Systems
Minimum Fire Flow Design Standards For New And Expanding Water Systems(1) Minimum Fire Maximum Flow Minimum Hydrant Land Use Designations Or Densities (Gallons Per Duration Spacing Minute) (Minutes) (Feet) Urban Growth Areas (2) Industrial 1500 60 (3) Commercial 1500 60 (3) Multi-Family Residential 1500 60 500 Single-Family & Duplex Residential 1000 60 500 Non-Urban Growth Areas Commercial / Industrial 1500 (4) 60 (4) (4) 1 Dwelling Unit Per Lot Less Than 2.5 Acres 500 (5) 30 (5) 900 (5) 1 Dwelling Unit Per Lot 2.5 Acres Or Larger NONE (5) NONE (5) NONE (5), (6) Natural Resource Lands NONE (5) NONE (5) (5), (6) (1) The design standards may be amended to reflect changes to Comprehensive Plan land use designations and/or their densities. Proposed amendments will be presented to the Skagit County CWSP WUCC for approval. (2) These criteria establish a minimum water system design standard. Each water system in an urban growth area must comply with the standards of the local government with jurisdiction. When there are different or conflicting standards, the most stringent standard shall apply. Prior to the issuance of a development permit, the approving authority shall establish fire flow, duration and hydrant spacing requirements. (3) As determined by the appropriate fire official. (4) Fire flow for individual buildings or groups of buildings is to be determined by the Skagit County Fire Marshal per Uniform Fire Code Appendix IIIA and the Skagit County Fire Marshal policy on fire flow. The application of lesser or alternative standards shall be in accordance with Section 4.3.5 (Interpretation of Standards). (5) Fire flow will be required for a Conservation and Reserve Development (CaRD) land division as follows. CaRD Characteristics Fire Flow Requirement 5 or more lots Option 1: Fire flow of 500 gpm for 30 minutes with hydrant spacing of 900 ft. or, Option 2: Fire Marshal approved fire prevention water system that provides adequate pressure and flow to support NFPA 13D sprinkler systems is required for all residential dwellings. In addition, if the property is located in an Industrial Forest, Secondary Forest, or Rural Resource designated land the fire protection requirements as listed in Skagit County Code 14.04.190(14)(b)(iii)(b-e) also apply. 4 or fewer lots None required, unless the property is located in an Industrial Forest, Secondary Forest, or Rural Resource designated land. If the property is located in such designated land the fire protection requirements as listed in Skagit County Code 14.04.190(14)(b)(iii)(b-e) apply. However, NFPA 13D sprinklers are only applicable to residential dwellings. As of the effective date of the CWSP, where in-fill development or extension of an existing water system occurs to serve an existing platted lot, the Skagit County Fire Marshal may limit the requirement for fire flow or fire suppression in accordance with Table 4-1 to the newly developed lot only. Group B public systems may choose to separate the fire flow from water flow. Separate tank and hydrant(s) location is subject to Skagit County Fire Marshal approval. (6) Hydrants shall be installed when water lines are installed or replaced and are capable of supplying a tanker truck with a minimum of 500 gallons per minute at a minimum residual pressure of 20 psi. Tanker truck filling hydrants are to be located at major roadway intersections and along roads at a spacing not to exceed one mile to assist in fire protection.
4-45 4.2 Construction Standards The District’s construction standards are included in Appendix F of this Plan. All work shall be accomplished in accordance with the requirements of Division 1 through 9 and the Division 1 APWA supplement of the 2004 edition of the Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction, prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the American Public Works Association, Washington State Chapter, including any amendments of said Standard Specifications.
4.3 Hydraulic Analysis
4.3.1 Present Model In 2003, the District upgraded its hydraulic model to WaterGEMS, a GIS compatible Haestad Methods product. The new hydraulic model was built by the District’s Planning Engineer from the District’s Autocad inventory of pipes, USGS digital-elevation-models, and metered-records of flow demand by pressure zones.
The system is maintained and operated by the Planning Engineer. The District uses Haestad Methods standard C-factors. The hydraulic model typically predicts flows to within 10-percent of observed field flow tests. To further calibrate the model, the District is currently in the process of conducting flow tests in several representative sections of pipe to verify the Hazen-Williams C-factors chosen for the model.
The District’s model has been used extensively since its in-house development. The principal use is for the sizing of new waterlines for extensions and plats, specifically to evaluate fire flow capacity at maximum day demand conditions. It is also useful in selecting new and replacement pumps based on manufacturer’s pump curves and for evaluating the diurnal levels of storage reservoirs. The models have been invaluable in determining the priority in which projects should be included in the Capital Improvement section of this Plan, based on the immediate benefit of the improvement to the District.
4.4 Description and Analysis by System and Area
4.4.1 Sanitary Surveys The subsections which follow address the analysis of each system. As required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Washington State rules (WAC 246-290-416) call for a routine sanitary survey of all Group A public drinking water systems once every five years, except for community surface water systems, which are to be surveyed once every three years. A summary of the District’s sanitary survey results are presented as follows:
4-46 Date of Sanitary System Survey Key Recommendations Discussion/Resolution Judy Treatment 2007 Document coagulant control strategy Low Cl2 residual alarm Cross-Connection annual inspection Clearwells inspection report Clearwells security CT re-determination Distribution 1999 Bulson Road tank roof replacement Done Tank O&M and sample points Coliform Monitoring Plan review Done Coord w/ Local govts on Cross-Connections In progress Designate correct WDM Skagit River SW Crossing fence repair Done Fidalgo Island 2005 Bridgeway Tanks replacement & maint Not replaced - cleaned & inspected in 07 Similk Tank replacement & maint Fidalgo Heights overflow Done Monitor Cl2 residual 2 monthly samples - no control over source Improve security at tanks In progress Alger 2005 Coliform and Cl2 residual testing Done Cedargrove 2006 Update Certified Operator data Screen discharge of overflow/drain line In progress Before & After ATEC Fe and Mang Data Done Marblemount 2008 Screen discharge of overflow/drain line In progress Potlatch 2007 Update Certified Operator data Splashblock discharge of overflow/drain line Done Chloride levels for mebrane replacement Done Press Relief for Pressure tanks In progress Monthly Reports to incl RO data Done Emergency source procedure for ERP Map of Coliform sample sites Done Cross-Connection plan status report THM & HAA testing Rockport 2006 ATEC treatment report to DOH Eval Steelhead Park demands Measure well - drainfield separation dist Skagit View Village 2005
Copies of the Sanitary Survey reports for Group A water systems are included in Appendix N.
4.4.2 Judy Reservoir Water System This portion of the plan addresses source, treatment, transmission/distribution, pressure zones, storage and fire flow for the entire Judy Reservoir system.
4.4.2.1 Service Area The Judy Reservoir system has a retail service area including the City’s of Mount Vernon, Burlington, and Sedro-Woolley; as well as surrounding communities including
4-47 Bow Hill, Bayview, Fir Island, Conway, Big Lake, and Clear Lake. See Figure 2.3 – Judy System Map.
4.4.2.2 Source The Judy Reservoir system obtains its water from four streams in the Cultus Mountain watershed (Gilligan Creek, Salmon Creek, Turner Creek and Mundt Creek). A diversion pump station underway at the time of the writing of this report will provide raw water from the Skagit River. The Cultus Mountain watershed starts about two miles due east of Clear Lake. All the streams in the watershed drain eventually to the Skagit River. A copy of the District’s Cultus Mountain Watershed Control Program is included in Appendix J. A watershed control program was written for the Skagit River watershed, in coordination with the City of Anacortes. This watershed plan is also provided in Appendix J.
Water is collected from the four Cultus Mountain streams at diversion structures and transported to an impoundment (Judy Reservoir) through two collector pipelines. The diversion structures are set up on a bypass system, allowing water to flow past the diversion. Instream Flows set by Rule under WAC 173-505 limit the diversion quantities available from each stream based on the month of the year (See Figure 3.2). When the water measured on a downstream gauge does not meet these minimum flows, the District will divert water from its supplemental point of diversion on the Skagit River up to the maximum water right for each stream, as necessary.
Judy Reservoir lies in a natural basin, through which Janicki Creek once flowed. In 1946, Janicki Creek was diverted around the eastern edge of the basin and dams were constructed with a spill elevation of 437’ AMSL and a capacity of 450 million gallons. The dams are “A” Dam to the southwest and “B” Dam to the northeast. “B” Dam is actually two dams on either side a rock knoll. Dams “A” and “B” were raised in 1965 to increase the Reservoir spill elevation to 451’ AMSL and the capacity to 1,010 million gallons. The dams were raised again in 1999 to increase the Reservoir spill elevation to 465’ AMSL and the capacity to 1,450 million gallons. Janicki Creek continues to flow in a new channel along the east side of the Reservoir. It meets Judy Reservoir’s spillway at the northeast corner of the Reservoir. The spillway empties below the dam into the existing bed of Janicki Creek, a tributary to the Skagit River. In the past, the stream water filling Judy Reservoir was adequate to spill the Reservoir for about 5 months of the year, from February through June, which acted to flush undesirable organics from the Reservoir that may have accumulated during the other 7 months. The system demands exceeded inflow from the streams around the end of June, causing the Reservoir pool level to drop below spill. This trend continued for about 120 days through the peak demand and low rainfall season, until around the end of October, when stream inflows exceeded demands and the pool elevation rose. The Reservoir normally reached spill elevation by the end of January, and the cycle began again. Since its raising in 1965, the Reservoir has reached its lowest level of 431.6’ AMSL twice, once in 1967 and again in 1987. The calculated drawdown during these two historic lows was about 765 MG, leaving around 200 MG of usable storage in reserve. In those scenarios, Judy Reservoir provided an average of 6.4 mgd (765 MG/120 days) during peak drawdown periods, and
4-48 still had 31 days of usable storage (200 MG/6.4 mgd) in reserve. With the recent increase in Judy Reservoir capacity, and a combination of stream flows and River pumping to replenish drawdown, the Reservoir will have greater potential to stay full during the year and providing more readily available capacity for emergencies.
The District has water rights to all four streams, the Skagit River, two groundwater wells and the Judy Reservoir storage, as indicated in Section 3.
The District also obtains water for the Judy Reservoir system from the City of Anacortes though interties. These interties are connected to the City’s transmission line system, which starts from its Water Treatment Plant adjacent to the Skagit River in Mount Vernon and extends westward to Anacortes on Fidalgo Island. Water is purchased from the City of Anacortes under the terms of a water contract. The City obtains water from the Skagit River through its own certificated water rights.
4.4.2.3 Treatment Raw water from the Judy Reservoir impoundment is pumped to the District’s direct filtration Water Treatment Plant (WTP) adjacent to Judy Reservoir. The water is disinfected and filtered to meet current Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements. The WTP currently has a design capacity of 12 million gallons per day (mgd) and a peak day capacity of 18 mgd. However, improvements underway at the time of the writing of this plan will increase this capacity to 24 mgd design and 30 mgd peak capacity.
Finished water from the WTP flows by gravity to three storage reservoirs adjacent to the plant. The reservoirs, typically referred to as the District’s “Clearwells”, have a combined capacity of 5.69 million gallons and a spill elevation of 459’ AMSL.
The water received through interties from the City of Anacortes is treated at the City’s conventional WTP, located adjacent to the Skagit River on Riverbend Road in Mount Vernon.
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners, acting as the Board of Health passed resolution # R20070284 on May 15, 2007 mandating that the District provide fluoridation at its Judy Reservoir treatment plant, and at the East and West Bank Interties with Anacortes. This mandate requires that the fluoride be provided within 12-months of the resolution signing, on condition that a third party is to pay for the capital costs of the treatment improvements. At the time of this writing the District remains neutral on the issue of fluoridation and has not accepted a role as the design contract-administrator for this project. Skagit County will be working with the third party funding group to secure capital funds needed for design, permitting, and construction. The District will contract operate the constructed facilities.
4.4.2.4 Transmission and Distribution Facilities Finished water from the Clearwells at the Judy Reservoir WTP flows by gravity down to District customers through a looped transmission pipeline. The transmission pipeline maintains its high pressure (459’ HGL) to the north across the Skagit River to pressure
4-49 reducing stations in Sedro-Woolley and to the southwest past Clear Lake to pressure reducing stations in Mount Vernon. Both sets of pressure reducing stations drop the pressure to about 75 psi (214’ HGL). The transmission pipeline in Sedro-Woolley continues west at the reduced pressure along SR20 into Burlington and then south along Burlington Boulevard to the Skagit River Bridge. The transmission pipeline in Mount Vernon continues north along Riverside Drive to the Skagit River Bridge, where it connects to the southbound transmission pipeline and completes the loop. The transmission pipeline loop ranges in size from 16-inches to 30-inches in diameter. The materials are predominantly concrete cylinder pipe and ductile iron. The loop is vital to the reliability of the system, ensuring continuity of service even if a high pressure leg of the transmission line fails or is removed from service.
The transmission pipelines are near capacity for the current peak demands on the system, and are projected to reach their capacity and the end of their useful life around 2010 for the WTP/Mount Vernon leg and 2030 for the WTP/Sedro-Woolley/Burlington leg. Design and permitting for a replacement to the Judy to Mount Vernon transmission pipeline leg is currently underway. This project may be phased over several years provided funding is available.
The District serves the Cities of Burlington, Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley and the Town of Clear Lake from the transmission pipeline loop. Distribution lines are gridded through these areas to provide the necessary domestic and fire flows. Remaining areas in the Judy Reservoir service area, such as Big Lake, Conway, Avon, Bay View, Allen, Samish Island, Bow Hill and the rural areas around them, are served by a system of long distribution lines. Distribution lines are normally smaller than transmission lines, ranging from 4 though 12-inches in diameter. The District’s total footage of transmission and distribution mains in the Judy Reservoir and Fidalgo Island systems combined was approximately 350 miles as of 1992; the 2006 total was approximately 563 miles. Table 4-2 below indicates how the District has utilized various materials over the years and the approximate quantities of each material type which are still in use.
Table 4.2 Judy System Active Pipe Inventory by Installation Date Judy System - Inventory of Lengths of Pipes in System by Installation Date and Material Type Pipe Material (ft) Conc. Cylinder Pipe Cast Ductile Galv PVC or Year Installed ABS AC (CCP) Iron Copper Iron Iron Plastic Steel Total (ft) Total (mi) 285 1000 1,285 0.2 1930-1939 300 2233 79 213 2,825 0.5 1940-1949 19351 649 152 20,152 3.8 1950-1959 62 124639 8011 654 341 26456 366 160,529 30.4 1960-1969 432 289521 61863 5759 210873 1040 569,488 107.9 1970-1979 144077 33513 39785 568 316290 534,233 101.2 1980-1989 2831 120 141599 251479 5 396,034 75.0 1990-1999 832527 20719 853,246 161.6 2000-Present 188294 4556 192,850 36.5
**The District's CAD maps identify a total of 563-miles of pipe in the Judy System - 46-miles more than presented above due to information gaps in the database.
4-50 All the original wood stave water lines have been replaced. The District’s current standard for pipe material is Class 50 ductile iron. The transmission and distribution systems are generally considered adequate for the domestic and fire demands of the current water system.
The District’s distribution lines are adequate for the majority of the District’s service area during much of the year. The District began service in the cities and rural areas when populations were more sparse and fire flow was not a District concern. City populations have increased and moved to higher topography, fire codes have increased required flows, and rural demands have increased, making the once adequate waterlines undersized. Peak demands, especially in remote rural areas, cause frictional pipeline losses and result in low pressures. To rectify these deficiencies, the District used the computer model to develop a gridding plan for the urban and rural areas. This “pregrid” is consistent with local land use projections and will provide adequate domestic service and required fire flows for the foreseeable future. This ‘pregrid’ for the Judy system is roughly illustrated in Figures 4.1.
4-51 4-52 The District analyzed the performance of its distribution system utilizing its hydraulic model. The model produces information within the parameters listed below:
Table 4.3 – Hydraulic Characteristics of Judy Distribution System Pressure Meets Meets HGL Lowest Highest PHD? Fire flow? Comments 195 30 80 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 210 40 80 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 214 30 80 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 284 30 105 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 290 60 90 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 322 30 100 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 356 30 115 Y Y 365 50 130 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 413 50 100 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 420 50 90 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 430 30 100 Y Y 456 40 160 Y Y 459 40 160 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 463 60 115 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 506 30 130 Y Y 520 30 120 Y Y 560 30 160 Y Y 592 40 170 Y Y 645 40 80 Y Y 684 40 170 Y Y 858 30 80 Y Y
All service connections in all of the District’s water systems are metered. The District’s 20 peak consumers are as indicated in Table 4-4 below:
Table 4.4 – Largest Customers Served by District PEAK MONTHLY CONSUMERS Customer Name Service Type Winter Peak Summer Peak (ccf) (ccf) Draper Valley Farms Commercial 30782 28507 Advanced H20 Inc Commercial 14643 16753 Northwest Horticulture Irrigation 3781 24490 Samish Farms Water Assoc Re-Sale 5290 10384 Skagit Gardens Inc Irrigation 1733 12810 Sakuma Bros Farms Inc Commercial 1746 12895 Eaglemont Golf Club Irrigation 2462 9585 Washington Bulb Company Commercial 2187 5702 Skagit Valley Mobile Manor Multi-Family 4208 4305 Tim White Commercial 3463 3141
Withdrawals to fill tank trucks are also allowed from fire hydrants at various locations around the District. These withdrawals are by permit only, are metered with special meters issued by the District, and require notification of the local fire department or fire district.
4-53
Pressure Reducing Valve and Booster Pump Stations. PRV and Booster Pump Stations are used throughout the District’s water systems to compensate for high pressures and low pressures.
PRVs are used to reduce the water pressure from a higher pressure gradient to serve a lower pressure gradient, serving from transmission to distribution systems and from higher to lower distribution pressure zones. PRVs which serve distribution grids from the transmission line loop are usually set based on the spill elevation of storage reservoirs in the receiving pressure zone, to refill storage which may have been diminished by daytime demands. PRVs which serve between distribution pressure zones are usually set slightly below the static pressure of the receiving pressure zone, intended to open only for high demand conditions such as fire flow.
The District has established its pressure zones to maintain an average range of 40 to 80 psi at the customers’ services. Pressures above 80 psi can damage a customer’s plumbing and hot water heater: the District advises its customers of the plumbing code requirements for installation of an individual PRV on each customer’s service that has pressure greater than 80 psi. The District’s major PRV stations have dual PRVs in parallel: a small PRV for average flow conditions and a larger PRV for peak flow and fire flow conditions.
The District has installed booster pump stations at various locations around the District as required to raise water pressure from a lower to a higher gradient and/or to compensate for frictional pipeline losses. With few exceptions, these booster pump stations are low capacity and provide only domestic service. The Bow Hill and Fir/Waugh Pump Stations and the WTP pumps have the capacity to provide limited fire flow without storage assistance, although storage is available in all three cases.
See Tables 4.5 and 4.6 for complete lists of current pressure reducing and booster stations. Tables 4.7 and 4.8 provide current lists of storage tanks.
4-54 PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT No.1 of SKAGIT COUNTY CONTROL VALVES Control PRV Valve HGL Pressure MaximumElevationNormalDate placed PWS Area Location Mfr Model Size In Out In Static Out Q Out gpm(AMSL)Position in service C.O.# Remarks Judy BV [email protected] Clayton 90 8 345 290 139 115 115 3900 25 NO 1983 3006 Intertie Judy BV BayMeadows@JoshWilson Clayton 90 4 290 270 80 52 52 1000 160 NO 2007 Judy BV Lefeber - Higgins@Peterson Clayton 90 6 345 290 100 100 100 2250 114 NO 1975 2505 Intertie Judy BV Higgins@Peterson Clayton 50 3 235 - - 75 85 570 114 NC 1994 3623 ReliefValve Judy BV Peterson@Sunrise Clayton 90 2T 290 235 100 75 75 260 114 NO 1994 3623 Moved 2007 Judy BV Peterson@Sunrise Clayton 90 6T 290 235 100 75 65 2250 114 NO 1994 3623 Moved 2007 Judy MV 18th@TL (north) Clayton 90 4 459 214 171 72 62 1000 55 NC 1979 2796 Standby Judy MV 18th@TL (south) Clayton 90 4 459 322 171 110 100 1000 55 NC 1979 2796 Standby Judy MV 9th @ WilliamWy Clayton 90 6 459 214 186 80 80 2250 29 NO 1998 Judy MV 9th&Highland Clayton 90 12 459 214 123 18 18 8600 167 NO 1975 2448 Qin=200gpmMAX Judy MV Anderson@Blodgett Clayton 90 6 322 195 127 74 74 2250 30 NO 1987 3188 Judy MV BennettRd@Avon Clayton 90 8 345 233 139 90 80 3900 25 NO 1985 3135 Intertie Judy MV Blodgett@RedHawkCt Clayton 90 1.5T 322 214 129 74 64 190 25 NO 1962 1641 Judy MV Blodgett@RedHawkCt Clayton 90 6T 322 214 129 74 54 2250 25 NO 1962 1641 Judy MV CascadeRidge Clayton 90 6 858 720 121 61 51 2250 578 NO 1992 3364 Judy MV CascadeRidge Clayton 68 - 322 322 ------3364 Pump Control Judy MV CascadeRidge Clayton 68 - 322 592 ------3364 Pump Control Judy MV CascadeRidge Clayton 68 - 592 858 ------3364 Pump Control Judy MV College@LaVenture Clayton 90 8 322 214 104 50 40 3900 83 NO 1996 Judy MV DraperValleyFarms Clayton 90 6 459 - PRIVATE 2250 NO 1985 3088 Judy MV E.CollegeWay (214) Clayton 90 3T 459 214 174 67 67 570 49 NO 1977 2688 Judy MV E.CollegeWay (214) Clayton 90 8T 459 214 174 67 57 3900 49 NO 1977 2688 Judy MV Hickox@Burkland Clayton 90 8 322 195 127 55 55 3900 30 NO 1998 Conway Svc Judy MV Hoag@LaVenture Clayton 90 1.5T 322 214 99 68 68 190 93 NC 1978 2736 Judy MV Hoag@LaVenture Clayton 90 6T 322 214 99 68 58 2250 93 NC 1978 2736 Judy MV KulshanView Clayton 90 8 322 214 106 55 45 3900 77 NC 1980 2894 Judy MV LaVenture@TL Clayton 90 8 459 322 165 109 109 3900 71 NO 1958 1351 Judy MV LittleMountainBooster Clayton 90 6 463 322 140 130 2250 NC 1967 1969 Judy MV N.15th Clayton 90 1 322 105 60 60 115 79 NO 1979 2826 Judy MV N.15th Clayton 90 1 322 105 60 60 115 79 NO 1979 2826 Judy MV [email protected] Clayton 90 2T 345 214 150 On / Off - 260 25 NC 1993 3463 Intertie Judy MV [email protected] Clayton 90 10T 345 214 150 On / Off - 3250 25 NC 1993 3463 Intertie Judy MV Kulshan at 9th Clayton 90 6T 459 214 184 75 75 2250 26 NO 2005 Judy MV Kulshan at 9th Clayton 90 10T 459 214 184 75 75 6000 26 NO 2005 Judy MV [email protected] Clayton 90 4 322 214 113 65 55 1000 60 NC 1978 2770 Judy MV Section @ Digby Clayton PSV 4 560 420 55 45 1000 Judy MV Section E. of Digby Clayton 90 3T 560 420 55 55 570 Judy MV Section E. of Digby Clayton 90 8T 560 420 55 45 3900 Judy MV Section E. of Digby Clayton 50 4 560 420 55 65 1000 Relief Valve Judy MV Section@ Laventure Clayton 90 6 420 322 47 37 2250 Judy MV Sioux@Shoshone Clayton 90 3 560 322 129 30 570 252 NC 1973 2368 Judy MV Skyridge Dr Clayton 90 3 463 322 123 60 50 570 180 NC 1967 1969 Judy MV Waugh@TL Clayton 90 4 459 322 172 107 107 1000 54 NO 1979 2806 Judy MV Waugh@TL Clayton 90 6 560 459 2006 Standby F I R 4th@Washington Clayton 90 2T 318 200 94 43 O/S 570 100 NO 1986 3158 F I R 4th@Washington Clayton 90 4T 318 200 94 43 43 570 100 NO 1986 3158 F I R Hoxie Ln at Carolina Clayton 90 2T 430 370 2006 F I R Hoxie Ln at Carolina Clayton 90 6T 430 370 2006 Judy R Austin@BeaverLkRd Clayton 90 2 459 284 180 70 70 260 35 NO 1996 Judy R BayViewRidge Resrvr Clayton 210-3 8 290 290 3900 1998 Judy R BeaverLakeRd(ClrLk) Clayton 90 2T 459 365 180 140 140 2500 43 NO 1990 3287 Judy R BeaverLakeRd(ClrLk) Clayton 90 6T 459 365 180 140 130 2500 43 NO 1990 3287
4-55 PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT No.1 of SKAGIT COUNTY CONTROL VALVES Control PRV Valve HGL Pressure MaximumElevationNormalDate placed PWS Area Location Mfr Model Size In Out In Static Out Q Out gpm (AMSL)Position in service C.O.# Remarks Judy R BeaverLakeRd(GundRd) Clayton 90 2T 459 356 180 145 O/S 2500 43 NO 1990 3287 Judy R BeaverLakeRd(GundRd) Clayton 90 6T 459 356 180 145 145 2500 43 NO 1990 3287 Judy R Front St (ClrLk) 6 365 284 150 110 Judy R Maple St (ClrLk) 2 365 284 100 80 Judy R BigLake Reservoir (W) Clayton 210-3 8 356 356 13 13 13 3900 327 NO 1993 3427 Judy R BigLake Reservoirs (E) Clayton 210-3 8 356 356 Judy R BowHill Pump Sta Clayton CKV 214 456 Judy R BowHill Pump Sta Pump Cntrl Gay 68 Judy R Bradshaw @ Summer Clayton CKV 214 214 Judy R Buchanan@Magnolia Clayton 90 6 365 45 Judy R Buchanan@Maple Clayton CKV 6 284 365 FI R GibralterRd Clayton 50 2 200 Auto Shut-off 260 90 NO 1993 3391 AutoShutoff FI R GibralterRd Clayton 50 2 200 Auto Shut-off 260 90 NO 1993 3391 AutoShutoff Judy R HoogdalReservoir Clayton 210-3 6 430 430 9 9 9 2250 410 NO 1993 3555 FI R Jura@GibralterN Clayton 90 2 318 94 35 RELIEF 100 NC 1973 2344 ReliefValve FI R Jura@GibralterS Clayton 90 3 318 112 35 570 60 NO 1973 2344 FI R Central at Deception Clayton 90 2T 340 200 2007 FI R Central at Deception Clayton 90 6T 340 200 2007 Alger R LakeSamishRd Reservoir Clayton 210-3 8 520 520 TBD 3900 MtnVw R MtnViewRd(NE) Clayton 90 3 50 50 MtnVw R MtnViewRd(SE) Clayton 90 3 50 50 MtnVw RMtnViewRd(NW) MtnVw RMtnViewRd(SW) FI R SalmonBeachRd Clayton 50 6 200 Auto Shut-off 2250 50 NO 1993 3391 AutoShutoff FI R Stevenson @ Thompson Clayton 90 1.5T 345 270 129 96 96 190 50 NO 2000 Intertie FI R Stevenson @ Thompson Clayton 90 4T 345 270 129 96 86 1000 50 NC 2000 Intertie FI R Stevenson @ Saterlee Road Clayton 90 2T FI R Stevenson @ Saterlee Road Clayton 90 4T Judy SW BassettRd @ SR9 Clayton 90 2T 459 340 112 86 86 260 200 NC 1993 3555 Judy SW BassettRd @ SR9 Clayton 90 8T 459 340 112 86 76 3900 200 NC 1993 3555 Judy SW BassettRd @ SR9 Clayton 50 3 340 86 96 RELIEF 200 NC 1993 3555 Judy SW DukesHillReservoir Clayton 90 6 340 214 65 10 10 2250 190 NO 1993 3555 Judy SW DukesHillReservoir Clayton 210-3 6 214 214 10 10 10 2250 190 NO 1993 3555 Judy SW DukesHillReservoir Clayton 90 6 459 340 117 65 65 2250 190 NO 1993 3555 Judy SW KallochRd @ SR9 Clayton 90 8 459 430 95 93 93 3900 240 NO 1993 3555 Judy SW Nelson@TL Clayton 90 6T 459 214 177 82 82 2250 43 NO 1977 2609 Judy SW Nelson@TL Clayton 90 12T 459 214 177 82 72 8600 43 NO 1977 2609 Judy SW NSMSC Clayton 90 2T 459 90 90 260 NSMSC svc Judy SW NSMSC Clayton 90 6T 459 90 85 2250 NSMSC svc Judy SW NSMSC Clayton 50 4 459 90 100 1000 NSMSC svc Judy SW Township @ Marie Pl Clayton 90 8 340 214 104 49 49 3900 100 NC 1994 3568 Judy SW Township@TL Clayton 90 3T 459 214 177 72 72 570 43 NO 1977 2609 Judy SW Township@TL Clayton 90 8T 459 214 177 72 62 3900 43 NO 1977 2609 Judy R Cook Rd & Collins Rd Clayton 90 2T 459 214 2007 Judy R Cook Rd & Collins Rd Clayton 90 6T 459 214 2007 Judy R Cook Rd & District Line Rd Clayton 90 2T 459 214 2007 Judy R Cook Rd & District Line Rd Clayton 90 6T 459 214 2007 Judy R Cook Rd & Gardner Rd Clayton 90 2T 459 214 2007 Judy R Cook Rd & Gardner Rd Clayton 90 6T 459 214 2007 Judy BT North Hill Boulevard Clayton 90 459 290 2007 Judy BT North Hill Boulevard Clayton 90 459 290 2007 Judy BT North Hill Boulevard Clayton 90 459 214 2007
4-56
4-57
4-58
4-59 Pressure Zones Individual pressure zones (hydraulic grade) for the Judy Reservoir System are indicated on Figure 4.1. These pressure zones are analyzed in greater detail in the sections which follow.
195’ HGL (Conway – Fir Island). The 195’ HGL pressure zone is supplied from the 214’ HGL supply along Dike Road which is 6-inch and 8-inch plastic and ductile iron. This feed is projected to supply about half the average demand to the Conway area but less than half of the peak months’ demands due to system hydraulics. Additional feed comes from the 220’ HGL zone by way of a PRV station on the east side of Interstate 5 at Conway. Because of the areas flat topography, the 195’ HGL zone does not have a reservoir within the zone. The standby and equalizing storage for the zone comes from the Bulson Tank, a 100,000 gallon storage reservoir on Bulson Road east of Conway. This tank only supports during fire flow events due to the Hickox Road PRV being set to a 220’ HGL. The Bulson Reservoir is re-supplied from the 322’ HGL pressure zone in Mount Vernon by way of the Hickox Road PRV station in south Mount Vernon. Standby storage to this zone is also provided by the 9th and Highland tank in Mount Vernon.
The 195’ HGL pressure zone serves the agricultural area south of Mount Vernon bordering the Dike Road, the rural village of Conway, as well as Fir Island and North Fir Island Water Association, all west of Interstate 5. The area is predominantly flat alluvial plain, and pipelines are predominantly AC and plastic. Some recent improvements and planned future improvements are of ductile iron pipe, and potentially HDPE. Fir Island is currently the most remote point in the Judy Reservoir System, however, water quality monitoring consistently provides satisfactory results. Demands are predominantly residential and agricultural, and peak during the dry summer months due to irrigation requirements.
220’ HGL (Hickox S, E. Conway).
The 220’ HGL pressure zone is supplied from the Hickox Road PRV on the south side of the Mount Vernon 322’ HGL zone. The growth in the Conway area, especially in the Foothills around Lake 16, has prompted the District to consider changes to the pressure zones in the area. The Hickox Road PRV station may be removed or the pressure increased, allowing the 322’ HGL pressure zone to extend to Conway and serve the area. The Hickox Road PRV is normally set at about 80 psi, but can be boosted to 90 psi or more in the summer to overcome frictional head loss in the 4 miles of 6, 8 and 12-inch pipe from Mount Vernon to Conway due to increased summer demand flows.
The distribution system can currently meet fire flow requirements as outlined in Table 4- 1 for a rural area.
The Bulson Reservoir will eventually be removed and a new storage reservoir constructed with a 322’ AMSL spill elevation. The Bulson Booster Station would still serve the 413’ HGL pressure zone (see “413’ HGL (Hermway Heights)” later in this
4-60 section), but may be relocated. The new extended 322’ HGL zone would supplement the supply to the 214’ HGL pressure zone, which would be extended to Conway and Fir Island and across the bridge on the North Fork of the Skagit River. Capital projects reflecting some of these improvements are presented in Section 5.
210’ HGL (Pleasant Ridge). The 210’ HGL pressure zone is served from the 214’ HGL pressure zone by a booster station at Rudene Road, near the northeast corner of Pleasant Ridge. Undersized distribution piping, along with residential growth on Pleasant Ridge and increased irrigation consumption in the 214’ HGL pressure zone to the north have caused low pressure problems in the Pleasant Ridge area during peak summer demands. The static pressure is normally about 50 psi at the highest service on Pleasant Ridge, but drops to approximately 20 psi during periods of peak summer demands. The District responded in mid-1994 by re-establishing a booster pump system to serve this area. The original booster station at Bradshaw Road was removed from service after waterline replacements in the area improved flows and pressures. The relocated booster system at Rudene Road serves Pleasant Ridge, a small rocky knoll that rises about 100 feet above the alluvial plain. The distribution system is predominantly plastic with some ductile iron water lines. System demands are predominantly residential.
There is currently no storage on Pleasant Ridge, though construction of a storage reservoir is tentatively scheduled for this planning period. The booster station is considered a temporary seasonal measure until waterline replacements indicated in Section 5 are complete, improving system flows and stabilizing system pressures throughout the year. The booster station operates primarily during the summer months; the 210’ HGL pressure zone is served by the 214’ HGL pressure zone without assistance from the Rudene Booster Station for the balance of the year. Previously the District has discussed a water system connection with the Town of LaConner, which could also provide increased flows and pressures to the Pleasant Ridge area.
214’ HGL (Skagit Valley floor). The 214’ HGL Pressure zone serves the cities of Sedro-Woolley, Burlington and Mount Vernon and the rural areas adjacent to them. The 214’ HGL pressure zone is served principally through the 5 million gallon Dukes Hill Reservoir in Sedro-Woolley, and the 5 million gallon 9th & Highland Reservoir in Mount Vernon. Both reservoirs have a regulated inflow from the 459’ HGL transmission pipeline system, though their outflow is based strictly on demand. The reservoirs draw down during the day as demands exceed inflow, then refill at night as demands relax and inflow exceeds demands. Both reservoirs have an operating range of less than 5 feet. The Dukes Hill Reservoir is more remote and is fitted with high and low level alarms, annunciated through an automatic telephone dialer. The middle of the transmission line loop, operating at distribution pressures from Sedro-Woolley through Burlington to the middle of Mount Vernon, is served by both the Dukes Hill and 9th & Highland Reservoirs, supplemented at the north end by the PRV station at 1st and Nelson Streets in Sedro-Woolley. Normal high demands in the 214’ HGL system are supplemented by PRV stations on the 459’ HGL transmission line at East College Way and William Way in Mount Vernon and at
4-61 Township Street in Sedro-Woolley, and from the 322’ HGL pressure zone from PRV stations at the intersection of Hoag and LaVenture Roads and at Blodgett Road in Mount Vernon. Additional PRV stations are set to respond to unusually high demands, such as from fire flows. These PRV stations are at north Township Street in Sedro-Woolley and near Riverside Drive, Kulshan View, the intersection of 18th Street and Kulshan, and the intersection of Sandlewood and north 18th Street in Mount Vernon. The piping network in and out of the Dukes Hill Reservoir in Sedro-Woolley was designed to allow 214’ HGL water to return to the 459’ HGL system for any emergency situation requiring the shutdown of the 459’ HGL supply: this would provide minimum pressures and flows to local residents for survival purposes. An additional leg of the transmission loop was added on along Cook Road, allowing a feed to the 214 pressure zone at Rhodes Road, and a standby feed at North Hill Boulevard.
As shown in Section 5, the District proposes a new emergency booster station at the Dukes Hill site to serve the 459’ HGL pressure zone from the 214’ HGL pressure zone, using the 5 million gallons of storage as a source. Also, the District proposes a new 214 HGL tank on Burlington Hill to provide additional standby storage for 214 zone north of the Skagit River.
As a backup, water from the 214’ HGL pressure zone can be boosted at the 9th and Highland Reservoir site to serve the 322’ HGL pressure zone in Mount Vernon, at the intersection of Avon-Allen and Peterson Roads to serve the Bay View Ridge area. There are also booster pump stations at Rudene Road to serve Pleasant Ridge, and at the intersection of Cook Road and Chuckanut Drive to serve the area north of Bay View Ridge. These booster stations are for seasonal or emergency use only, and are not required routinely. The Bow Hill Pump Station north of Burlington lifts the 214’ HGL water to serve the areas north of Bow Hill Road, currently including the Upper Skagit Tribe’s Casino and Hotel facility and the Washington DOT Bow Hill Rest Areas in the 456’ HGL pressure zone; the pump station was designed with the lift capacity to serve the Alger area and around Lake Samish.
The 214’ HGL pressure zone can receive supplemental water from two interties with the City of Anacortes water system: the Avon intertie can augment the supply to the 214’ HGL pressure zone to the west and north of the Skagit River (Sedro-Woolley, Burlington and down to Pleasant Ridge); the Riverbend intertie can augment the supply to the 214’ HGL pressure zone east of the Skagit River (Mount Vernon, Conway and Fir Island). These interties are used to augment the Judy Reservoir system supply based on current and projected levels of Judy Reservoir for a particular time of year, historical Reservoir level trends and weather projections.
The majority of the existing distribution system in the 214’ HGL pressure zone is a mix of 8 through 12-inch ductile iron pipe installed after 1980 and 4 through 8-inch AC and plastic pipe installed between 1960 and 1980. The general condition of the system is good, and it can generally meet fire flow requirements outlined in Table 4-1. Increased irrigation demands on the 6- and 8-inch distribution system on the alluvial plain west of Mount Vernon and the Skagit River has caused low pressure problems on Pleasant Ridge.
4-62 The proposed “pre-grid” distribution main loop from Mount Vernon through Conway and back to Mount Vernon, is expected to dramatically reduce pressure losses and eventually eliminate the need for the Rudene Road Booster Station for the Pleasant Ridge area; a new storage reservoir proposed for Pleasant Ridge will also help reduce low pressure complaints.
290’ HGL (Bay View Ridge). The 290’ HGL pressure zone area is currently three distinct pressure zones, served by the District with water supplied by the City of Anacortes water system.
1. The Port of Skagit County and Bay View Business and Industrial Park is served from an intertie on the City of Anacortes’ transmission line at the Lefeber Bulb Farm on Memorial Highway, west of Mount Vernon. The system currently receives water through a solenoid-controlled PRV station, controlled through the District’s SCADA system based on level of the new 2.9 million gallon Bay View Ridge Reservoir. When the Reservoir draws down to a preset level, the SCADA system opens the Lefeber PRV and refills the Reservoir; when the Reservoir is full, the SCADA system shuts the PRV off. During a power outage, the Lefeber PRV would fail to an open position, which would refill the Reservoir and then close the altitude valve. The PRV setting will prevent over- pressuring the 290’ HGL pressure zone.
The 290’ HGL pressure zone is also served by the Fredonia PRV station at the southwest corner of the pressure zone. This area was previously stand-alone with its own connection to the Anacortes transmission system. The District connected this area to the 290’ HGL pressure zone and it is served by the Bay View Ridge Reservoir. The Fredonia PRV station provides backup supply in case of distribution system isolation, shutdown of the Bay View Ridge Reservoir, large peaking demands, closure / failure of the Lefeber PRV station, or any combination thereof.
2. The rural village of Bay View on Padilla Bay is served a moderate inflow by a PRV station from the Bay View Ridge 290’ HGL pressure zone. The 300,000 gallon Bay View Standpipe, operating at 270’ HGL, draws down during the day as demands exceed inflow from the PRV station, and refills at night as demands relax and supply exceeds demands. A seismic vulnerability assessment indicated that the Bay View Standpipe is inadequately anchored and recommended repairs.
3. The Skagit Golf and Country Club is also served from the Bay View Ridge 290’ HGL pressure zone through a PRV station, and operates at about 234’ HGL. Until early 1994, the Country Club was served by the 214’ HGL pressure zone. A seismic vulnerability assessment indicated that the local 214’ HGL storage reservoir did not meet current seismic design criteria. With the pressure upgrade to 234’ HGL, the reservoir was demolished and local pump station at Peterson Road was fitted with a pressure relief valve. In a situation where the water is unavailable from the 290’ HGL pressure zone, the Peterson Road pump station can support the demands of the Country Club pressure zone from the 214’ HGL pressure zone.
4-63 These three subsystems were separate in 1994, and a stated objective of the 1994 Water System Plan was to connect all four into a single distribution system with a single storage reservoir. The Bay View Ridge Reservoir was completed and the subsystems linked in 1999.
The District is in the process of completing a high pressure transmission pipeline along Cook Road, which will bring high pressure water to Old Highway 99 on the east side of Interstate 5 near Burlington. The District plans to extend high pressure service north along the Old Highway 99 alignment in existing pipelines to Bow Hill, and distribution service could be continued south in the existing transmission pipeline through Burlington to Mount Vernon, supporting the transmission pipeline loop.
Along Old Highway 99 north, the high pressure is planned to be branched across Chuckanut Drive and along Josh Wilson Road to Bay View Ridge. This would provide gravity supply from Judy Reservoir to the Bay View Ridge 290’ HGL pressure zone, and provide potential for emergency backup to the City of Anacortes, the Town of LaConner and the District’s Fidalgo Island system. At Bow Hill, it could reduce the lift requirements to provide service to the Bow Hill and Alger areas, reducing the District’s cost of operations.
284’ HGL (Clear Lake North). The 284’ HGL pressure zone is served principally from the 500,000 gallon Clear Lake Reservoir located on a bench on the hillside northeast of the community of Clear Lake. The reservoir is filled by a connection to the 459’ HGL transmission pipeline to the east along Old Day Creek Road. The rectangular cast-in-place concrete reservoir was originally a two-chamber settling basin for raw water collected from the Cultus mountain streams for the Clear Lake water system, prior to District ownership. The reservoir has been modified to become a single hydraulic chamber: water enters one end and leaves the opposite end, ensuring adequate turnover.
The reservoir remains sound, however, given its age and questionable seismic resistance, the District plans to retire the tank. When the tank is retired, the 284 HGL zone will be supplied by a PRV which would be provided water from the Judy to Mount Vernon transmission pipeline.
The 284’ HGL pressure zone can provide water to the adjacent 365’ HGL pressure zone through a check valve on Maple Street if the 365’ zone loses its source and drops in pressure. Demands in the 284’ HGL pressure zone are predominantly domestic with a few commercial services in town and agricultural services in outlying areas. The 284’ HGL pressure zone serves the northeast three-quarters of Clear Lake and along Francis Road up to Nookachamps Creek.
The distribution system is predominantly 6-inch plastic and AC mains, and is adequate to meet both peak hour domestic needs and appropriate fire flows as indicated in Table 4-1. Demands are mostly residential with a few commercial services.
4-64 322’ HGL (Mount Vernon). The 322’ HGL pressure zone is served by the 1 million gallon East Division Reservoir at the corner of Digby Road and Division Street in Mount Vernon. The pressure zone is large, and demands are supplemented to the west and north of the Division Street Reservoir by PRV stations at 9th Street, 18th Street, LaVenture Road and Waugh Road from the 459’ HGL transmission pipeline. The Reservoir draws down during the day as demands increase and refills in the evening as demands subside. Demands are primarily single family and multifamily residential, with various commercial and public services dispersed throughout the pressure zone.
The 322’ HGL pressure zone also can supply water to and receive water from adjacent pressure zones. It can receive water from the 420’ HGL pressure zone to the southeast by a PRV station at the corner of Section and Laventure. The Sioux/Shoshone Pressure Sustaining Valve station can provide supply back from the 560’ HGL pressure zone to the 322’ HGL pressure zone at peak demands, though it is currently valved closed. The Skyridge Pump Station on east Anderson Road in south Mount Vernon serves the 463’ HGL Skyridge area; the PRV stations at east Anderson Road and Skyridge Drive provide supply back to the 322’ HGL’ pressure zone from the 463’ HGL zone at peak demands. The 322’ HGL pressure zone is the source for the East Blackburn and Cedar Hills booster/pressure tank systems, serving small subdivisions on the north foot of Little Mountain in south Mount Vernon. Both are considered temporary systems and are expected to be removed when a new 12-inch water main is installed down Blackburn Road, providing increased pressure and storage from the 560’ HGL pressure zone to these subdivisions and to the 322’ HGL pressure zone through new PRV stations. The Cascade Ridge area, a large residential development completed in 1992 south Mount Vernon on Stackpole Road, includes a series of booster stations and storage reservoirs (supplied by the 322’ HGL pressure zone. The facilities include a small booster station and a 75,000 gallon storage reservoir to the 322’ HGL pressure zone, plus two other booster stations and two other reservoirs for higher zones.
The distribution system in the 322’ HGL pressure zone is generally good. It is strong in the center of the zone with 16, 12 and 10-inch distribution mains on LaVenture Road and 12-inch mains on Section Street, Division Street, Fir Street, 15th Street and Waugh Road. The remaining grid is a mixture of 12, 10, 8, 6 and 4-inch mains that are adequate for the peak hour domestic demands and have the capacity to provide the appropriate fire flows indicated in Table 4-1.
The 322’ HGL pressure zone formerly served a gradual slope in the eastern end of Mount Vernon, which experienced low peak hour pressures (35± psi). The District has transitioned this area into a 420’ HGL pressure zone in between the 322’ HGL and 560’ HGL pressure zones. The East Blackburn pressure system discussed earlier will be absorbed into the 560’ HGL pressure zone; the Cedar Hills pressure system will be absorbed into the 420’ HGL pressure zone. The 420’ HGL pressure zone is served by PRV stations from the 560’ HGL pressure zone and provides service as required to the 322’ HGL pressure zone at Section Street through a PRV station.
4-65 The aforementioned Division Street tank has inadequate standby storage to meet the demands of the 322’ HGL pressure zone. Currently the 560’ tank at Eaglemont, or the emergency pump station at 9th and Highland must support this zone during an emergency where the source is lost. To correct this issue a new tank is planned at the Division Steet site as described in Section 5.
356’ HGL (Clear Lake South and Big Lake). The 356’ HGL pressure zone is served by four storage reservoirs. The 500,000 gallon Nookachamps Hills Reservoir serves Beaver Lake and Gunderson Roads, Otter Pond Drive, all south of Clear Lake, and the north end of Big Lake. The distribution system on the east side of Big Lake is served by two reservoirs totaling 140,000 gallons. The distribution system on the west side of Big Lake is served by the 140,000 gallon West Big Lake Reservoir. All four of the reservoirs are served by a PRV station from the 459’ HGL transmission line on Beaver Lake Road in Clear Lake. The PRV station is quite remote from the demands on the system, so the reservoirs act as the primary supply: they draw down during the day as demands increase and refill at night when demands are low. Demands in this pressure zone are predominantly single family residential with a few commercial, multifamily and public services scattered throughout. The distribution system in the 356’ HGL pressure zone is predominantly of 12 and 8-inch ductile iron and is quite adequate, able to meet the appropriate fire flows indicated in Table 4-1.
An existing pump station adjacent to the Nookachamps Hills Reservoir currently serves a small 450’ HGL pressure zone. Development may expand this zone, and a storage reservoir will be required.
365’ HGL (Southwest Clear Lake) The 365’ HGL pressure zone is served by the 1 million gallon Buchanan Hill Reservoir, serving the southwest quarter of Clear Lake and able to supplement peak demands of the adjacent 284’ HGL pressure zone through PRV stations on Buchanan Street at Cedar Street. The reservoir is served by a PRV station from the 459’ HGL transmission pipeline on Beaver Lake Road in Clear Lake (separate from the PRV serving the 356’ HGL pressure zone). The PRV station is remote from the demands on the system, so the reservoir acts as the primary supply: it draws down during the day as demands increase and refills at night when demands are low. Demands in this pressure zone are predominantly residential. The distribution system in the 365’ HGL pressure zone is predominantly of 8-inch ductile iron pipe and is able to meet the appropriate fire flows indicated in Table 4-1. The 365’ HGL pressure zone may also at some future date support the adjacent 356’ HGL pressure zone south of Clear Lake by closing the main valve to the 459’ HGL transmission line and installing a bypass at the 365’ HGL PRV station. Both systems would then effectively operate at 356’ HGL and serve off their storage only.
413’ HGL (Hermway Heights). The 413’ HGL pressure zone east of Conway is served by the 60,000 gallon Hermway Heights Reservoir. The Hermway Heights Reservoir is filled from the 220’ HGL pressure zone by the Bulson Pump Station on Bulson Road, next to the Bulson Road
4-66 Reservoir. The pump station operates on a time clock, allowing the reservoir to draw down during the day and refill at night. District operators keep track of the reservoir levels and adjust for periods of high demand (see Section 9). Demands on the 413’ HGL pressure zone are predominantly single-family residential. The distribution system is adequately sized for present domestic use, with newer lines being 8-inch ductile iron and remaining lines being 2 and 3-inch plastic; a hydrant on the larger line from the Hermway Heights Reservoir is sized to allow for rural fire flows per Table 4-1. The 413’ HGL pressure zone also serves as supply for the adjacent 684’ HGL pressure zone, supplying the Lake Sixteen Pump Station through an 8-inch ductile iron main along SR534.
The District has reviewed the system hydraulics in consort with land use in the Lake Sixteen area and proposes to increase the hydraulic gradient from 413’ HGL to approximately 485’ HGL; the 485’ HGL pressure zone proposed works well with the existing 684’ HGL pressure zone and the proposed increase of the 195’ HGL pressure zone to 322’ HGL. This increase from 413’ HGL to 485’ HGL will increase the service area without adding another pressure zone. The upgrade is currently unscheduled, but will most likely be driven by development of property in the area, and would be primarily at the developer’s expense though the District would likely contribute to the upsizing of a new reservoir.
420’ HGL (Central Mount Vernon) The 322’ HGL pressure zone formerly served a gradual slope in the eastern end of Mount Vernon, which experienced low peak hour pressures (35± psi). The District transitioned this area into a 420’ HGL pressure zone in between the 322’ HGL and 560’ HGL pressure zones. The Cedar Hills pressure system currently in the 322’ HGL pressure zone will be absorbed into the 420’ HGL pressure zone. The 420’ HGL pressure zone is served by PRV stations from the 560’ HGL pressure zone and provides service to the 322’ HGL pressure zone at Section Street through a PRV station as required.
The 420’ HGL pressure zone does not have its own storage; the 5 million gallon Eaglemont Reservoir has sufficient storage capacity to also serve the 420’ HGL pressure zone. Demands in the 420’ HGL pressure zone are predominantly residential. The distribution system is a grid of 12-inch and 8-inch ductile iron pipe. Strategically-placed PRV’s support average, peak hour and fire flow demands, served from the 560’ HGL pressure to the 420’ HGL zone, through to the 322’ HGL pressure zone as required. Check valves have been located off the 322’ HGL pressure zone at LaVenture Road and off the 420’ HGL pressure zone at the Maddox Creek Plat to provide emergency service back to the 420’ HGL and 560’ HGL pressure zones, respectively, in case of pressure loss in those upper zones.
430’ HGL (Hoogdal). The 430’ HGL pressure zone north of Sedro-Woolley is served by the 100,000 gallon Hoogdal Reservoir. The Reservoir is filled from the 459’ HGL pressure zone by a PRV station at the intersection of Kalloch Road and SR9. The PRV station is quite remote from the Reservoir, so the Reservoir acts as the principal supply. Demands in this area are predominantly residential. The distribution system is of 8-inch ductile iron and is
4-67 adequate for peak hour demands; it also has the capacity to meet the appropriate fire flow demands indicated in Table 4-1. The PRV station is on a bypass from the main, and a mainline valve can be opened to allow the 430’ HGL water to serve the 459’ HGL pressure zone in emergency situations.
456’ HGL (Bow Hill). The 456’ HGL pressure zone at Bow Hill north of Burlington is served by the 1 million gallon Bow Hill Reservoir. The 456’ HGL pressure zone serves the residential and commercial areas near the Bow Hill Road Intersection of Interstate 5. The Bow Hill Reservoir is filled from the 214’ HGL pressure zone by the Bow Hill Pump Station near Old 99 North, controlled by the District’s SCADA system based on Reservoir level. Demands on the pressure zone are predominantly commercial and public authority, but include single family residential. The distribution system of the 456’ HGL pressure zone is all of ductile iron, primarily 12-inch, and is adequate for both peak hour demands and appropriate fire flows per Table 4-1.
459’ HGL (Transmission Line). The 459’ HGL pressure zone is served by the Clearwells at the Judy Reservoir Water Treatment Plant east of Clear Lake. The Clearwells are filled by the Water Treatment Plant and have a normal operating range of about 5 feet. The entire Judy Reservoir water system is supplied by this pressure zone, though storage reservoirs in lower pressure zones serve most of the daily demands in their distribution systems. There are also some direct services from the 459’ HGL pressure zone. If these direct services were mapped, they would form a narrow band along the 459’ HGL transmission line, mostly at higher elevations. The north leg of the 459’ HGL pressure zone follows the transmission line north from the Clearwells, serving several homes off Morford Road, through an overhead pipeline crossing of the Skagit River, to Sedro-Woolley. The transmission line tees at Fruitdale Road, sending a 12-inch line north on Fruitdale Road and continuing the 24- inch line through Sedro-Woolley to the PRV station at the intersection of 1st and Nelson Streets. The transmission line drops from 459’ HGL to 214’ HGL at the newly installed Rhodes Road PRV station, then continues on west along SR20 to Burlington, then south along Burlington Boulevard to meet the south leg of the transmission line at the Skagit River Bridge. However, a newly installed 18-inch ductile-iron transmission pipeline following Cook Road carries the 459’ HGL pressure zone pressure to Cook Road where it interties with 16-inch ductile-iron pipelines, and runs north and south along Old Highway 99. Eventually a pipeline (likely to be installed on Josh Wilson Road) will carry the 459’ HGL pressure zone service to Bay View Ridge.
The Fruitdale Road transmission line in Sedro-Woolley also acts as a distribution line for elevations above 200’ AMSL. It serves Northern State Multi-Service Center through a PRV station, continues north along Fruitdale Road, west along Kalloch Road to SR9 (where it serves the 430’ HGL pressure zone to the north), south on SR9 to Bassett Road (serving domestic customers), and west on Bassett Road to the Dukes Hill Reservoir site, (serving domestic customers near the reservoir site). Eventually this pressure zone will expand north into the Hansen Creek and Thomas Creek basins.
4-68
The south leg of the 459’ HGL transmission line runs southwest from Clearwells, serving several customers along Old Day Creek Road and the Clear Lake Reservoir, continuing southwest past Clear Lake (serving demands of the 356’ HGL and 365’ HGL pressure zones at the PRV stations on Beaver Lake Road) to Mount Vernon. The 459’ HGL transmission line serves demands in Mount Vernon to Draper Valley Farms, a large commercial chicken processing facility that takes full 459’ HGL water through its own PRV stations; to the 560’ HGL pressure zone via the Fir-Waugh Pump Station; to the 322’ HGL pressure zone through PRV stations at Waugh Road, LaVenture Road, 18th Street and 9th Street; and to the 214’ HGL pressure zone through PRV stations at East College Way, 18th Street, and 9th Street. The south leg of the transmission line drops from 459’ HGL to 214’ HGL at the mainline PRV stations near 9th Street, where it continues north along Riverside Drive to meet the north leg of the transmission line loop at the Skagit River Bridge.
As indicated above, the Clearwells provide distribution storage for a small number of domestic services in upper elevations of the Judy Reservoir system, plus one large commercial customer in Mount Vernon; they also provide supplemental supply to replenish storage in the 214’, 284’, 322’, 356’, 365’, 430’ and 560’ HGL pressure zones.
Under special circumstances, a PRV installed near the Fir/Waugh pump station may be opened to feed water into the 459’ zone from the 560’ tank.
The transmission pipeline is predominantly unrestrained-joint concrete cylinder pipe; the high pressure section between the 1st & Nelson PRV station and the overhead river crossing in Sedro-Woolley is ductile iron and the river crossing itself is welded steel. A seismic vulnerability assessment completed for the District noted that unrestrained-joint concrete cylinder pipe in unconfined alluvial material was moderately vulnerable to damage during a seismic event. When replacing such portions of transmission pipeline, the District will use ductile iron or other seismically sound material. In other respects, the transmission pipeline loop appears to be sound and serviceable, though there have been some failures.
As noted in Section 5, growth projections and waning transmission line lifespans have an effect on future serviceability of the transmission pipelines. Based on this, the District has secured funding from the State for a section of replacement 459’ HGL transmission pipeline between Judy Reservoir and Mount Vernon. Based on the District’s hydraulic analysis, the new transmission line should be 36-inch in diameter and should follow the existing transmission pipeline route. This replacement pipeline is currently in design.
463’ HGL (Skyridge). The 463’ HGL pressure zone in south Mount Vernon is served by the 500,000 gallon Little Mountain Reservoir. The 463’ HGL pressure zone serves a small residential area accessed by Skyridge Drive. The Little Mountain Reservoir is filled from the 322’ HGL pressure zone by the Skyridge Pump Station on Anderson Road. Water can also be returned from the 463’ HGL pressure zone to the 322’ HGL pressure zone during peak
4-69 demands through PRV stations on Anderson Road (at the pump station) and at Skyridge Drive. The distribution system in the 463’ HGL pressure zone is predominantly ductile iron and plastic, and has adequate capacity for peak hour demands as well as appropriate fire flow demands per Table 4-1.
506’ HGL (Tinas Coma). The 506’ HGL pressure zone on Burlington Hill in north Burlington is served by the 230,000 gallon Tinas Coma Reservoir. The 506’ HGL pressure zone serves a small residential area on the Hill accessed from the north on Hillcrest Drive. The Tinas Coma Reservoir is filled from the 214’ HGL pressure zone by the Tinas Coma Pump Station on north Hillcrest Drive. With the completion of the Cook Road transmission pipeline, the Tinas Coma pump station will be served by 290’ HGL which should reduce pumping costs. The distribution system in the 506’ HGL pressure zone is predominantly ductile iron, and has adequate capacity for peak hour demands as well as appropriate fire flow demands per Table 4-1.
Recently, the fill portion of the road to the Tinas Coma development began sliding, and the Districts supply pipeline had to be replaced. The District may adopt more stringent standards on pipe restraint in areas of fill.
520’ HGL (Alger ). The 520’ HGL pressure zone north of Burlington is currently served by a groundwater well in Alger, but the long-term plan is to change the source to the Judy Reservoir water system, supplied by the Bow Hill pump station. The 520’ HGL pressure zone currently has about 130,000 gallons of storage in the Alger Reservoir. The Bow Hill pump station also serves the 465’ HGL pressure zone, and is controlled by the District’ SCADA system, responding to drawdown in the Bow Hill Reservoir. The pump station will also respond to drawdown in the Alger Reservoir if the distribution pipeline along Old Highway 99 Road North is completed. The distribution system in the Alger system is all ductile iron, is sufficient to meet all peak hour demands, and has sufficient capacity for fire suppression and fire truck refilling through its fire hydrants. The distribution is further sized to support off-peak-hour supply to the Samish Water District in Whatcom County; the Water District could take its entire maximum day demand from the 520’ HGL pressure zone in as little as 9 hours, without reducing the level of service during that off-peak period. The 520’ HGL zone also includes a small pump station on Appaloosa Road, serving the 15-20 homes in the Cantershire residential area.
560’ HGL (Mount Vernon). The 560’ HGL pressure zone in southeast Mount Vernon is served by the 5 million gallon Eaglemont Reservoir. The Eaglemont Reservoir is filled from the 459’ HGL transmission line by the Fir-Waugh Pump Station. The Fir-Waugh Pump Station is controlled by SCADA coordinated with Eaglemont tank level. The 560’ HGL pressure zone can return water to the 322’ HGL pressure zone through the Pressure Sustaining Valve Station at the intersection of Sioux and Shoshone in east Mount Vernon; this PSV station is currently valved off. The 560’ HGL pressure zone can also feed into the 459’ HGL zone through a bypass PRV near the Fir-Waugh pump-station. The 560’ HGL
4-70 pressure zone supplies water to the adjacent 645’ HGL pressure zone through a pump station adjacent to the Eaglemont Reservoir. The distribution system in the 560’ HGL pressure zone is predominantly ductile iron and plastic, with some AC and plastic in the older lower areas by Digby Road and Division Street. The entire distribution system in this pressure zone is adequate for peak hour demands, and the ductile iron and plastic distribution piping is adequate for appropriate fire flows indicated in Table 4-1; the older AC and plastic distribution lines in critical hydraulic legs are scheduled for replacement (see Section 5, Improvement Program). An extension of Waugh Road across the Eaglemont development down to Blackburn Road is being pursued by private developers: this will also provide increased storage, flows and pressures to the east Blackburn Road area and allow the retirement of two small booster/pressure tank systems, Cedar Hills and East Blackburn, in conjunction with the planned expansion of the 420’ HGL pressure zone (as stated above).
592’/858’ HGL (Cascade Ridge). Cascade Ridge is a residential development on a significant hillside south of Mount Vernon. The lowest portion of Cascade Ridge is served by the 322’ HGL, including a pump station and a 75,000 gallon reservoir. A second pump station boosts water from the 322’ HGL zone up the hill to a 592’ HGL pressure zone and its 23,000 gallon reservoir. A third pump station boosts water from the 592’ HGL reservoir up the hill to a 858’ HGL pressure zone and its 33,000 gallon reservoir. The 858’ HGL serves a small 720’ HGL pressure zone through a mainline PRV. The distribution system is all of ductile iron and has sufficient capacity for both maximum day demands and fire suppression flows. The pump systems are interconnected with their supported reservoirs by a telephone telemetry system, responding based on reservoir drawdown. The Cascade Ridge pressure zone may have the potential to support even higher pressure zones, should there be further development up the hillside, or further south.
640 HGL (Panorama) The Panorama system is an area northeast of the Judy WTP. This community is served by the finished water pump station which also supplies the finish water for the Judy WTP. An analysis of the existing pumps theoretical output indicates that there is adequate supply and fireflow for the development. However, because of concerns over storage a tank for the Panorama development is described in Section 5.
645’ HGL (Mount Vernon). The 645’ HGL pressure zone in southeast Mount Vernon is to be served by the 1 million gallon Eagles Nest Reservoir, adjacent to the Eaglemont Reservoir. The Eagles Nest Reservoir is filled from the 560’ HGL pressure zone by the Eagles Nest Pump Station. The Eagles Nest Reservoir is approximately 110’ tall and is on one of the highest points in the pressure zone, making it able to provide a minimum of 40 psi to any point in the pressure zone. There are currently no domestic demands in this pressure zone as this area of Eaglemont has not yet developed. The only demands on the 645’ HGL pressure zone at this time are irrigation demands of the golf course at the Eaglemont development, protected from the potable water system by a cross-connection control assembly. An irrigation meter fills an adjacent irrigation pond, which is then pumped to meet actual
4-71 irrigation demands. The District’s water contract with the Eaglemont development allows it to withdraw irrigation water only during the 10 off-peak hours of each day, so as not to overburden the District’s distribution or supply system.
The demands of the zone will be primarily residential and irrigation. The Reservoir will draw down during the day and will refill at night. The Pump Station will refill the Reservoir once drawn down to a specified level and will have telemetry alarms for the pump system and for both Eagles Nest and Eaglemont Reservoirs; a PRV station in the Pump Station will supply water from the 645’ HGL pressure zone to the 560’ HGL pressure zone should the Eaglemont Reservoir be out of service for any reason. The distribution system in the 645’ HGL pressure zone is all to be of ductile iron and will be adequate to serve both peak hour demands and meet the appropriate fire flow requirements indicated in Table 4-1.
684’ HGL (Lake Sixteen). The 684’ HGL pressure zone east of Conway is served by the 60,000 gallon Lake Sixteen Reservoir. The 684’ HGL pressure zone serves the residential areas to the south of Lake Sixteen; the areas to the north of the Lake can also be served up to elevation 584’ AMSL. The Lake Sixteen Reservoir is filled from the 413’ HGL pressure zone by the Lake Sixteen Pump Station near SR534, controlled by the Reservoir pressure transducer. Demands on the pressure zone are predominantly single family residential. The distribution system of the 684’ HGL pressure zone is all of ductile iron, primarily 8-inch, and is adequate for both peak hour demands and appropriate fire flows per Table 4-1.
4-72 4-73 4-74
4-75
4-76 4-77
Storage The District’s goal is to have at least 2 days of Average Daily demands in standby storage for each service connection. For new systems which do not have an established pattern of use, this amounts to 800 gallons per service connection. Table 4-7 indicates the Judy Reservoir system has 24 water storage reservoirs with a total nominal capacity of 30,380,000 gallons in service in the Judy Reservoir system. Of this, 3,773,000 gallons is operational storage, 24,247,265 gallons is standby/fire storage, and 1,170,000 gallons is additional fire storage. This storage is divided as summarized in Table 4-9 below.
Table 4.9 - JUDY SUB-AREA RESERVOIR STORAGE
Standby Storage # Gal per Service Sub-Area (gal) Services svc Bay View 3,009,000 1050 2,866 Big Lake 617,000 643 960 Burlington * 3,415,500 2,955 1,156 Clear Lake 1,109,000 360 3,081 Conway 147,000 475 309 Mount Vernon 8,865,000 9,283 955 Sedro-Woolley * 2,185,500 3,620 604 Water Treatment Plant 4,899,265 All areas N/A 24,247,265 18,386 1,319 * = Dukes Hill reservoir allocated half to Burlington and half to Sedro-Woolley via a transmission line
The majority of the District’s domestic and commercial demands in the Judy Reservoir system are east of Interstate 5, supported by all but two of the system’s storage reservoirs. The majority of the District’s customers to the west (principally the Bay View area) are supported by the two remaining distribution storage reservoirs, backed up by interties with the City of Anacortes. As can be seen in Table 4-6 above, the District generally meets its overall goal of 800 gallons of standby storage per service (see Minimum Design Standards in Appendix D – Water Code). The Sedro-Woolley area is also supported by unallocated standby storage of the Water Treatment Plant, bolstering the unit Sedro- Woolley standby storage available. Improvements are proposed for the Conway Sub- Area in Section 5, Improvement Program.
With the exception of the WTP Clearwells, all storage reservoirs in the District’s service areas, including Fidalgo Island and satellite systems, act as distribution storage, serving demands during the day and refilling at night. The reservoirs are drawn down by customer demands; once reservoirs have drawn down to a preset point, the reduced static pressure triggers the controls of the SCADA, PRV or pump station(s) supplying that
4-78 pressure zone to replenish the storage. The reservoirs equalize the inflow to service areas over time and have the effect of increasing pipeline capacity without the need to replace piping.
Fire Flow The District provides water service to fire sprinkler systems in commercial structures, as well as to the many fire hydrants connected to its water mains, throughout its service areas. The District works regularly with the County and City Fire Marshals as well as the City Fire Departments and rural Fire Districts to ensure adequate flow and pressure are available at these services and hydrants to support the required fire flow demands (see Table 4-1). The District also worked with the City of Mount Vernon in 1991 on their Fire Department Master Plan and provides hydraulics classroom training to Fire Department personnel on request. Fire flow is one of the principal criteria the District uses to evaluate the adequacy of existing water mains in urban areas. The District evaluates fire flow availability by either flow testing existing hydrants or through hydraulic analysis using its computer model, or a combination of both. Developers may be required to replace existing water main(s) if the main(s) will not provide the flow required by the Fire Marshal at the District’s design criteria. See Appendix I – Water Code.
At the writing of this Plan, the majority of fire hydrants are owned by the respective City or Fire District within the City or Fire District’s boundaries. Cooperative agreements were executed with several Fire Districts whereby the District accepted ownership and shares specific maintenance responsibilities for all fire hydrants in specific Fire District service areas with the respective Fire District.
4.4.3 Fidalgo Island Water System Source The District’s system on Fidalgo Island was originally served by two wells southeast of March Point. The quality of the raw water diminished over years of use and the wells were both taken out of service around 1980, replaced by interties with the City of Anacortes. Water for the District’s Fidalgo Island system is currently purchased from the City under the terms of the same water contract as the interties for the Judy Reservoir system. The District has sold the Fidalgo Island well site properties, however, an evaluation of groundwater resources on the island is planned.
Treatment The water received through City of Anacortes interties is treated at the City’s conventional WTP, located adjacent to the Skagit River on Riverbend Road in Mount Vernon. The City’s finished water exceeds all current requirements of the SDWA.
Transmission/Distribution Potable water is served to Fidalgo Island by the City of Anacortes’ 24-inch and 36-inch high pressure transmission lines (approximately 150 psi at their WTP), which have the capacity to serve all the current and projected water needs of the City’s customers, including the District’s Fidalgo Island system. The District purchases the City’s high
4-79 pressure water at three interties serving the District’s Fidalgo Island system (see Figure 4.7). These interties are at Stevenson Road (2 interties), Sharpe’s Corner, (where SR20 heads south to Whidbey Island). Each intertie feeds into the distribution system, which extends throughout residential areas along the west shoreline of Skagit Bay.
The Fidalgo Island distribution system was designed and installed to serve the domestic demands of a sparse suburban and rural population. Fire flow was not originally a consideration. Some of the water mains still date back to the late 1950s and early 1960s when the system was first established. Many of the smaller lines are 2-inch to 4-inch steel, AC and plastic. Larger, more sturdy mains are replacing these older lines as development requires their replacement and as the District’s capital improvement budget will allow. The distribution system is generally considered acceptable for the domestic and fire demands of the water system. The District’s hydraulic model of the distribution system produces information within the parameters listed below:
Pressure Meets Meets HGL Lowest Highest PHD? Fire flow? Comments 178 50 80 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 200 35 80 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 270 30 110 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 318 70 130 Y Y Small lines exceed max velocity during fire Q. 430 30 120 Y Y
Pressure Zones Individual pressure zones for the Fidalgo Island System are indicated on Figure 4.7. The District and City of Anacortes have agreed generally that the District will provide service on the east side of SR 20, and Anacortes will provide service on the west side of SR 20.
178’ HGL (Similk). The 178’ HGL pressure zone south of Marches Point is served by the 100,000 gallon Similk Reservoir. The Reservoir is filled from a PRV station at the north Stevenson Road intertie, served from the City of Anacortes distribution system; the 178’ HGL pressure zone is backed up by a PRV station from the District’s 270’ HGL pressure zone to the east. The Reservoir is hydraulically remote from the two PRV stations, so the Reservoir is the dominant supply to the demands on its pressure zone. The Reservoir draws down during the day due to demands from the pressure zone and refills at night when those demands relax. The distribution system is predominantly 6-inch AC mains with 1, 2 and 3-inch plastic lateral lines, and is considered adequate for peak hour demands and rural fire flows per Table 4-1. The 178’ HGL pressure zone can be supplemented by the adjacent 430’ HGL pressure zone through the PRV station on Satterlee Road. The seismic vulnerability assessment recently completed by the District’s consultant indicates that the unanchored wood stave Similk Reservoir would likely lose its functionality in a seismic event; the consultant recommended replacing the Reservoir. The Reservoir has been augmented by a new 100,000 gallon reservoir in the adjacent 270’ HGL pressure zone, so that the Similk Reservoir could be removed from service at any time without severely jeopardizing the quality of service to the 178’ HGL pressure zone customers.
4-80
200’ HGL (Dewey Beach south). The 200’ HGL pressure zone at the south end of Fidalgo Island is served by the two Bridgeway Reservoirs, totaling 70,000 gallons. The Reservoirs are filled from the adjacent 318’ HGL pressure zone through a PRV station on Washington Street. The PRV provides a regulated inflow to the Reservoirs. Outflow from the Reservoirs is based on demands of the pressure zone, which is primarily single-family residential. The Reservoirs draw down during the day as demands from the pressure zone exceed inflow from the intertie and refill at night when those demands relax and inflow exceeds demands. The distribution system is predominantly 8-inch ductile iron and 4, 6, and 8- inch plastic and AC mains with 1, 2 and 3-inch lateral lines, and is considered adequate for peak hour demands and rural fire flows per Table 4-1. The 200’ HGL pressure zone was served by an intertie to the Anacortes transmission pipeline on SR 20. However, Anacortes requested that the District contribute 51-percent of the cost of relocating the transmission pipeline, so the District abandoned the intertie as it was not cost-effective to its customers.
The Dewey Crest Lane area is surrounded by the 200’ HGL zone, and is served by a booster pump to increase pressures. Improvements described in Section 5 will bring higher pressure water to this area from the 318 zone.
A large section of ground in the Salmon Beach area, next to Gibralter Road in the eastern portion of the 200’ HGL pressure zone, slid about 1 foot in November of 1990, damaging District water lines that crossed the slide boundaries. The District replaced a large portion of the existing 200’ HGL distribution system and a small portion of the adjacent 318’ HGL distribution system, routing the new lines around the slide area wherever possible. Only 3 waterlines now cross the known fault lines, a 6-inch ductile iron main and two 2-inch plastic service lines; each of those lines is fitted with a control valve that will automatically close when it detects high flows, such as might occur if the lines are sheared or separated during a future landslide. The 6-inch line serves a fire hydrant, and the local Fire District has been instructed on how to override the high-flow shut-off valve if the hydrant is required to provide fire flows.
4-81 4-82
270’ HGL (Thompson Road). The 270’ HGL pressure zone on the eastern edge of Fidalgo Island was developed as a follow-up of the District’s 1994 Water System Plan by constructing the 100,000 gallon Summit Park Reservoir. The pressure zone is served by an intertie with the City of Anacortes distribution system on Stevenson Road. The intertie provides regulated inflow to the pressure zone through a PRV station. The Reservoir provides primary supply to domestic demands, drawing down during demands and refilling then the pilot on the PRV responds. The demands on the pressure zone are primarily single-family residential. The distribution system is predominantly 8-inch ductile iron, supplemented by 4, 6 and 8-inch AC and plastic mains, and is considered adequate for peak hour demands and rural fire flows per Table 4-1. The 270’ HGL pressure zone can supplement the adjacent 178’ HGL pressure zone through a PRV station on Slice Street. The wood stave Similk Reservoir was identified as a vulnerable structure during a seismic vulnerability assessment and may be replaced – potentially by locating a second reservoir at the Summit Park Reservoir site. The reservoir site was planned with room and connection points for a second 100,000 gallon reservoir.
318’ HGL (Dewey Beach north). The 318’ HGL pressure zone on the southeast edge of Fidalgo Island is served by two PRV stations from the 430’ HGL pressure zone: one at Hoxie Lane and Carolina, and another along Gibralter Road. The PRV stations provide regulated inflows to the pressure zone. The demands on the pressure zone are primarily single-family residential with some commercial demands. The distribution system is predominantly 4, 6, and 8- inch plastic, AC and ductile iron mains with 1, 2 and 3-inch lateral lines, and is considered adequate for peak hour demands and rural fire flows per Table 4-1. The 318’ HGL pressure zone also supplements the 200’ HGL pressure zone through an adjacent PRV station on Washington Street. One of the high flow automatic shutoff valves near the Gibralter Road slide area, identified in the 200’ HGL pressure zone description above, is on a 2-inch plastic service line at the southeast corner of the 318’ HGL pressure zone. The shutoff valve is intended to control water loss due to a failure of the service line in any future landslide at the known fault line.
430’ HGL (Gibralter Road). The 430’ HGL pressure zone on the south center portion of Fidalgo Island was built through a major construction effort in 1998 and 1999, jointly funded by the District and the Anacortes School District. The 1.2 million dollar project included the new 550,000 gallon Fidalgo Heights Reservoir, the Gibralter Road pump station (served by an intertie with the City of Anacortes transmission line at Sharpe’s Corner – originally from Fern Hill Cemetary), over 8,000 feet of 8- and 12-inch ductile iron waterline, and two major PRV stations. The Sharpe’s Corner intertie provides a source for the new Gibralter Road pump station, which fills the Fidalgo Heights Reservoir based on time of day and drawdown. The 430’ HGL pressure zone used to be the northern end of the 318’ HGL pressure zone, which experienced low pressures during peak demands at its upper elevations. The distribution pressures have now significantly improved, and the service area has increased to allow service to significant areas higher in the foothills of Fidalgo
4-83 Island. The demands on the pressure zone are primarily single-family residential with public demands near the Fidalgo Elementary School. The distribution system is now predominantly 8 and 12-inch ductile iron mains, augmented by 4, 6, and 8-inch plastic and AC mains and 1, 2 and 3-inch lateral lines, and is considered adequate for peak hour demands and rural fire flows per Table 4-1. The 430’ HGL pressure zone also serves the adjacent 318’ HGL pressure zone through PRV stations on Hoxie Lane and Gibralter Road, and the 178’ HGL pressure zone through a PRV station on Satterlee Road. The Fidalgo School Tank, a wood stave tank on a timber tower, was identified as a vulnerable structure during a seismic vulnerability assessment, and was removed after the new Fidalgo Heights Reservoir was placed in service. The transition of the northern 318’ HGL pressure zone to 430’ HGL, and the associated construction and demolition operations, was a follow-up on recommendations of the 1994 Water System Plan.
Proposed Improvements The existing pressure zones of the Fidalgo Island system (see Figure 4.7) are adequate for the majority of the existing service distribution. However, future revisions may take advantage of the terrain by revising pressure zones to expand the hydraulic potential of the water system. As proposed, the 178’ HGL pressure zone to the east will be revised to 270’ HGL, removing the wood stave Similk Reservoir from service and using the 100,000 gallon Summit Park Reservoir on Thompson Road. The 270’ HGL pressure zone will use existing distribution infrastructure to provide service from sea level up to elevation 170’ AMSL within the District’s designated service area. A second 100,000 gallon reservoir may be added at the Summit Park reservoir site on Thompson Road after the Similk Reservoir is removed, depending on growth of the 270’ HGL service area and the need for added standby storage.
Storage The District currently has four reservoirs serving its Fidalgo Island system with 800,000 gallons total nominal capacity. Of this, 138,000 gallons is operational storage and 670,000 gallons is combined standby and fire storage. See Table 4-7. The standby storage currently provides approximately 1,000 gallons per service, greater than the District’s goal of 800 gallons per residential. Storage for the Fidalgo Island System is also available from the 3 million gallon Whistle Lake Reservoir in Anacortes, connected directly to the transmission line serving the four District Fidalgo Island System interties.
Fire Flow There are fire hydrants connected to the District’s distribution system on Fidalgo Island. The area is not currently within any city’s UGA and is therefore considered rural, so the County Fire Marshal does not generally require the fire flows to be more than 500 gpm. Even with small water mains in many areas, the Fidalgo Island system generally has adequate capacity to meet these requirements. As in the Judy Reservoir system, any developer requiring flows in excess of those available must replace existing water mains per District standards.
4-84 4.4.4 Alger Water System Source The Alger Water System was developed by the Alger Power and Water Company, a private corporation that provided utility service to the community of Alger in the northwest corner of Skagit County. The system was constructed in the 1960s and consisted of a flowing artesian groundwater well and a distribution system. Over time, it appears that additional demands on the aquifer may have reduced the pressure available directly from the artesian well and booster pumps were added. A submersible pump was finally installed prior to the District’s involvement with the system. Water rights are addressed in Section 3 of this Plan.
At the community’s request, the District formed two concurrent and adjacent Local Utility Districts (LUDs) to fund a new distribution system, construct a water storage reservoir, replace the groundwater well pump and install metered water services.
The groundwater source may eventually be placed in a standby mode if water supply is extended to Alger from the Judy Reservoir system.
Treatment Test results of groundwater indicated manganese above the MCL. The LUDs funded a water filtration system to remove the manganese to below the MCL and offer chlorination of the finished water. The finished water meets all requirements of the SDWA.
Transmission/Distribution The old system of 1 to 2-inch PVC and 4-inch steel water mains was replaced with 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16-inch ductile iron water mains. The mains were sized to provide domestic and fire demands within the service area as well as support possible flows to meet demands to the north around Lake Samish. The new mains are quite adequate and no improvements are anticipated for many years. The District’s hydraulic model of the distribution system produces information within the parameters listed below:
Pressure Meets Meets HGL Lowest Highest PHD? Fire flow? Comments 520 30 120 Y Y Served by Alger tank 600 30 90 Y N/A Served by Appaloosa pump station
The Alger system serves a hilly area at the northwest corner of its service area. The water to this area is lifted by the Appaloossa pump station to about 15-20 customers. There is no fire flow required downstream of the pump station due to the low density of the development; the system pressures range between 40 and 90 psi during peak demand periods. Even with the pump station off during a power outage, water services are expected to have in excess of 20 psi.
4-85 Storage The District constructed a storage reservoir with a total capacity of 132,000 gallons adequate for the design capacity of the water system. About 111,000 gallons of the reservoir is standby storage, providing over 800 gallons storage per service and at least 40 psi to the highest customer (below the Appaloossa pump station).
Fire Flow Fire hydrants were installed with the new water mains. Fire flow capacity exceeds the requirements for the existing residential and commercial development in this rural area.
4.4.5 Cedargrove Water System Source The Cedargrove water system was the District’s LUD #10. The existing water system was owned by the homeowner’s association of the development, located next to the Skagit River southeast of Concrete. The existing water system was failing: the infrastructure was undersized, the well was contaminated with iron bacteria and storage was inadequate. Through the LUD process in 1991, the District drilled a new well, installed a new pump and new water mains, and constructed a storage reservoir. The existing system was abandoned. The District financed the LUD with assistance from a DOH Referendum 38 grant. Water rights are addressed in Section 3 of this Plan.
Treatment Test results of groundwater indicated manganese at nuisance levels. The District funded a water filtration system to remove the manganese and offer chlorination of the finished water. The finished water meets all requirements of the SDWA. An assessment of the vulnerability of the groundwater to contamination has been addressed by the District in its Cedargrove on the Skagit Water System Ground Water Contamination Susceptibility Assessment of July 1994, under separate cover.
Transmission/Distribution The water mains are of ductile iron and are of sufficient size to supply the design domestic and fire demands of the development. The District’s hydraulic model of the distribution system produces information within the parameters listed below:
Pressure Meets Meets HGL Lowest Highest PHD? Fire flow? Comments 379 30 75 Y Y
Storage The District constructed a new storage reservoir with a total capacity of 270,000 gallons. The majority of the reservoir (234,000 gallons) is standby storage and will provide 30 psi to the highest service in the water system. The standby storage of the reservoir is adequate for the design capacity of the water system.
Fire Flow
4-86 Fire hydrants were installed with the new water mains. Fire flow capacity exceeds the requirements for the residential development.
4.4.6 Marblemount Water System Source The Marblemount water system was constructed via a Local Utility District (LUD #28) in 2006, installing a new well, tank, and distribution system. The system is the most easterly service area for the District, located on the north side of the Skagit river at the confluence of the Skagit and Cascade Rivers. The system was requested in response to several small public water systems which were ‘red-tagged’ by the Health Department.
The source for the Marblemount system is a well northwest of the town. The District has water rights for the system which require a portion of water to be spilled to the Skagit River when the Skagit River is below minimum instream flows.
Treatment The well produces quality water which does not require treatment. Currently the source is not chlorinated, however, the system would be chlorinated if needed.
Transmission/Distribution The water mains are mostly 8-inch C-900 PVC pipelines; although a portion of 8-inch ductile iron pipeline is installed in steep topography areas near the tank, and some areas adjacent to service stations. The water mains are of sufficient size to supply the design domestic and fire demands of the development. The District’s hydraulic model of the distribution system produces information within the parameters listed below:
Pressure Meets Meets HGL Lowest Highest PHD? Fire flow? Comments 5286589YY
Storage The District constructed a new storage tank with a total capacity of 64,000 gallons. The majority of the reservoir (48,000 gallons) is standby storage and will provide over 40 psi to the highest service in the water system. The standby storage of the reservoir is adequate for the design capacity of the water system.
Fire Flow Fire hydrants were installed with the new water mains. Fire flow capacity meets the requirements for the community.
4.4.7 Mountain View Water System Source The Mountain View Water System was designed to serve a maximum of 16 lots just east of Mount Vernon’s city limits (see Figure 2.2). The system was installed by the developer without formal approval of DOH. The developer agreed to sign over the
4-87 ownership of the entire system to the District, plus pay the equivalent value of a portion of the improvements required to bring the system to District standards for the urban area.
The system is currently a single Group B water system served by one well. The water rights are adequate for the long term planned growth of the system as designed. The water right permit for the well has been assigned by the developer to the District . The well screen is approximately 375 feet below grade, and there appear to be at least 4 distinct clay lenses separating the aquifer from the surface; the District considers the groundwater source secure from local source contamination. A wellhead protection plan has not been developed because one is not required for a Group B water system and the District plans on connecting the system to the Judy Reservoir System in the near future. Water rights are addressed in Section 3 of this Plan.
Treatment The groundwater is treated by a dual tank ion-exchange system to remove naturally- occurring manganese, sized to serve the full 16-lot development. The finished water meets all requirements of the SDWA.
Transmission/Distribution The existing system includes dual 3-inch PVC water mains, one down each side of the road the length of the development, adequate for domestic service. Two pressure reducing valves are installed in each of the two mains at specified elevations to maintain maximum 80 psi and minimum 40 psi pressures as the mains run down the hill from the well house. The District’s hydraulic model of the distribution system produces information within the parameters listed below:
Pressure Meets Meets HGL Lowest Highest PHD? Fire flow? Comments Upper 30 60 Y NA Middle 30 80 Y NA Lower 30 80 Y NA
The District ultimately plans to replace the 3-inch mains and mainline PRVs with a single 8-inch ductile iron main and individual service PRVs as required.
Storage The system serves fourteen customers at the writing of this Plan and the well pump has sufficient capacity to meet their peak hour demands; the system therefore requires no standby storage. Depending on the rate of growth of the system, the District may review its options to maintain the reliability of service to the Mountain View customers. Options include construction of a storage reservoir, installation of an emergency power system, or connection of the System to the adjacent 645’ HGL pressure zone in the Eaglemont development, a part of the Judy Reservoir System, which currently has excess standby storage.
4-88
Fire Flow The small water mains and lack of standby/fire storage preclude the installation of fire hydrants at this time. Hydrants may be installed when the water mains are upgraded and storage is available.
4.4.8 Potlatch Water System Source The Potlatch Water System was designed to serve approximately 36 lots of the Potlatch Beach Division 1 development on the northwest shore of Guemes island (see Figure 2.2). The system was approved as a Type 1 (Group A) water system and constructed in the 1980s. The sources of water for the original system were two groundwater wells. The wells appear to have been over-pumped and drew saltwater into the freshwater aquifer. The community approached the District to provide a better source of water in 1998. Working with several consultants, the District developed and constructed a reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment facility on the south end of the development. The RO system and SCADA controls were funded by a Local Utility District (LUD #23). The RO system uses saltwater from an infiltration gallery below the marine waterline as its source. A submersible pump lifts the saltwater to the RO facility, which is located well above the marine high water line. One groundwater well is used only for groundwater monitoring (or emergency supply) at this time, giving time for the saltwater intrusion to subside and freshwater aquifer to recover; the other well was relinquished to the owner of the property on which the well is located. Water rights are addressed in Section 3 of this Plan.
Treatment The RO system replaced the groundwater wells and produces exceptional water quality. The finished water meets all requirements of the SDWA. The RO system has the capacity to serve well in excess of the 36 lots of the development, and has the capability to accept additional modules for even greater treatment capacity.
Transmission/Distribution Water is pumped from a clearwell in the RO facility to a 30,000 gallon water storage reservoir, which serves the systems current 29 services through an existing distribution system of 4-inch and 2-inch PVC water mains. Water services at higher elevations have their pressure boosted by a small pump station downstream of the reservoir. Demands on this system are low, annually averaging only 58 gallons per service per day, due in part to the high water rates charged (averaging $62 per month) to cover the high cost of operating the RO system. The distribution system is adequate for the minimal domestic demands of the system and no improvements are anticipated. The District’s hydraulic model of the distribution system produces information within the parameters listed below:
4-89 Pressure Meets Meets HGL Lowest Highest PHD? Fire flow? Comments Tank 30 60 Y NA Pump 40 60 Y NA
Storage The 30,000 cylindrical concrete storage tank is in adequate condition. The minimal demands on the system make the equalization storage the limiting factor to its water service capacity, which is limited to 63 services, well in excess of the current service count of 29.
Fire Flow A 1-port fire standpipe is connected to the distribution system to support refilling fire trucks in the area from the storage tank. No new hydrants may be installed until the water mains are upgraded to at least 6-inch from the tank to the hydrant, which is not proposed in the near term.
4.4.9 Rockport Water System Source The Rockport water system was the District’s LUD #11 (see Figure 2.2). The town of Rockport was served by several water systems from various local streams. The systems were contaminated with parasites, were poorly constructed and had no storage. The District made an agreement with the State Department of Parks and Recreation to accept ownership of the Rockport State Park well and to serve both the State Park and the Town of Rockport. Through the LUD process in 1990, the District installed new water mains in the town connected to a new storage reservoir and the State Park well. The District obtained a loan from FmHA with grant assistance from FmHA, DCD and DOH. The high level of grants reduced individual LUD assessments from over $10,000 each to about $800 each. Water rights are addressed in Section 3 of this Plan.
Treatment Test results of groundwater indicated manganese at nuisance levels. The District funded a water filtration system to remove the manganese and offer chlorination of the finished water. The finished water meets all requirements of the SDWA. An assessment of the vulnerability of the groundwater to contamination has been addressed by the District in its Rockport Water System Ground Water Contamination Susceptibility Assessment of July 1994, under separate cover.
Transmission/Distribution The new water mains are of PVC and are gridded throughout the town of Rockport. PVC pipe was a requirement of the federal agency funding the project, though it is not the District’s standard. The highest service elevation in the town of Rockport is 345’ AMSL. The water mains are of sufficient size to supply the design domestic and fire demands of the town. The District’s hydraulic model of the distribution system produces information within the parameters listed below:
4-90
Pressure Meets Meets HGL Lowest Highest PHD? Fire flow? Comments 468’ 45 90 Y Y
Storage The District constructed a new storage reservoir with a total capacity of 60,000 gallons, adequate for the design capacity of the water system. About 48,000 gallons of the reservoir is standby storage, providing over 1,000 gallons storage per connected service area and at least 45 psi to the highest customer.
Fire Flow Fire hydrants were installed with the new water mains. Fire flow capacity exceeds the requirements for the residential areas.
4.4.10 Skagit View Village Water System Source The District assumed ownership and improved the Skagit View Village water system through LUD #27. The pre-existing system had been run by a homeowners group, and was named Wilderness Village. The Wilderness Village system had small plastic and galvanized lines incapable of delivering fireflow, and a 1000-gallon pressure tank provided insufficient standby storage. Also, naturally occurring carbonic acid in the Wilderness Village groundwater was leading to copper levels in excess of the MCL. The Wilderness Village system had acquired state loan money for system improvements – the District became involved while the improvements were under-design. With the District’s involvement, an adjacent development was added to the scope of the LUD project, reducing the assessments to all stakeholders.
Treatment The water source is treated to reduce the amount of carbonic acid in the system. Well water is pumped through a venturi which siphons air into the water, allowing the over- saturated carbon-dioxide to come out of solution. The water then passes through a de- gassing tower which significantly reduces the amount of carbon dioxide, and increases the pH. Thus far this treatment has not produced the desired results in that some samples continue to exceed the action level for copper. The District is working on a solution which may include adding a base to adjust pH, or increasing aeration to remove additional carbonic acid.
Transmission/Distribution The pipelines installed during the LUD are 6-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch ductile iron and are gridded throughout the community. The water mains are of sufficient size to supply the design domestic and fire demands of the community. The District’s hydraulic model of the distribution system produces information within the parameters listed below:
4-91 Pressure Meets Meets HGL Lowest Highest PHD? Fire flow? Comments 3164560YY
Storage The District constructed a new storage reservoir with a total capacity of 157,000 gallons. The majority of the reservoir is standby storage and will provide over 40 psi to the highest service in the water system. The standby storage of the reservoir is adequate for the design capacity of the water system.
Fire Flow Fire hydrants were installed with the new water mains. Fire flow capacity exceeds the requirements for the residential areas.
4.5 Water Quality Analysis System and Area
4.5.1 Judy Reservoir Water System The District administers a rigorous water quality monitoring program that includes both compliance and voluntary monitoring.
Bacteriological monitoring is required under the Total Coliform Rule. The minimum monthly routine coliform sampling requirement is described in WAC 246-290-300 and is based upon population size. The number of routine monitoring sites required according to the Coliform Monitoring Plan for the Judy Reservoir system recently increased from 50 sites to 70 sites in 2006 as the system population grew to 65,000 (WAC 246-290-300, Table 2). Bacteriological test results have been satisfactory for at least the last fifteen years.
Disinfection byproduct (DBP) monitoring has been conducted for many years in the Judy Reservoir system. The District met the 2002 deadline for monitoring under the Stage 1 Disinfection and Disinfection Byproducts Rule. Under Stage 1, there are 4 sites in the Judy System which are sampled quarterly for disinfection byproducts. The District is in compliance with the Stage 1 Rule, based upon the Running Annual Average across all monitoring sites.
The District has adopted the Stage 2 Disinfection and Disinfection Byproducts Rule, which was promulgated by the EPA in early 2006. Under Stage 2, the District submitted a Standard Monitoring Plan (SMP) to the EPA in April 2007, which was accepted. The District hired HDR, Inc. to assist with the development of the SMP. The SMP describes one year of increased bi-monthly monitoring at sixteen sites across the Judy Reservoir system. These locations of the monitoring sites have been mapped using GIS software. The dates and locations of Standard Monitoring are described in the plan, and will begin April 2008. At each site, a dual sample for TTHM and HAA5 will be collected. After the Standard Monitoring is completed, the District will review sampling results, which are
4-92 calculated as Location Running Annual Average at each Standard Monitoring Site. The District will submit an Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE) to EPA, describing eight Compliance Monitoring sites that will be permanently monitored quarterly for DBPs.
Results of inorganic chemical (IOC) analyses have been below the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) on all primary and secondary regulated compounds. The District is in compliance for regulated volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). A sample collected in late 2005 indicated presence of VOCs. However, this presence was attributed to the recent painting of the new clearwell and a repeat sample in early 2006 indicated no presence of VOCs. All other VOC sampling has been satisfactory. Radionuclide test results have been satisfactory. Synthetic organic compounds (SOCs) are required to be sampled two times every third year. Results of 2006 sampling indicated no presence of herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides. Asbestos sampling has been satisfactory. Water quality test results can be found in the Consumer Confidence Report in Appendix E.
The current requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act will continue to influence water treatment activities for the next five years.
The Lead and Copper Rule dictates that in the Judy Reservoir system lead and copper sampling be conducted at 30 homes once every three years. Results from 2006 sampling were satisfactory and are described in the 2006 Consumer Confidence Report.
The District continues to monitor for Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Mandatory raw water collection has been completed, and EPA/WaDOH has accepted the 24-month Long Term 2 Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2SWTR) data, establishing that the District will be positioned in Bin Category 1, meaning that no additional disinfection treatment is required. The District continues to monitor for Cryptosporidium and Giardia on a voluntary quarterly basis.
The 2006 Consumer Confidence Report for the Judy Reservoir water system is included in Appendix K. A summary of the District’s 2007 water quality monitoring requirements has been included in Appendix M.
4.5.2 Fidalgo Island Water System The source water quality for the Fidalgo island water system is controlled by the City of Anacortes, from whom the water is purchased. Water quality information for the Fidalgo Island system is addressed in its 2006 Consumer Confidence Report, included in Appendix E of this Plan.
The Fidalgo Island water system is required quarterly DBP monitoring at one site under the Stage 1 Disinfection and Disinfectants Byproducts Rule. The Fidalgo System is in compliance with the Stage 1 DBP Rule, based upon the Running Annual Average.
The Fidalgo System is also required to comply with the Stage 2 Disinfection and Disinfection Byproducts Rule, which was accepted by the EPA in early 2006. Under
4-93 Stage 2, Schedule 2, the District submitted a Standard Monitoring Plan (SMP) to the EPA, which was accepted. The SMP describes one year of increased quarterly monitoring at two sites across the Fidalgo system. The dates and locations of Standard Monitoring are described in the plan, and will begin November 2007. Since Fidalgo Island is considered a Subpart H system with a population of 500-3300, the District will be required to take individual quarterly TTHM and HAA5 samples (instead of a dual sample set) at the locations with the highest TTHM and HAA5 LRAA concentrations, respectively. After the Standard Monitoring is completed, the District will review sampling results, which are calculated as Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA) at each Standard Monitoring Site. The District will submit an Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE) to EPA, describing Compliance Monitoring that will be required for DBPs.
4.5.3 Remote Water Systems Water quality information for the Alger, Cedargrove, Potlatch, Rockport, and Skagit View Village Water Systems are addressed in their respective Consumer Confidence Reports, included in Appendix E of this Plan.
Results of the District’s lead and copper monitoring program indicate that corrosion control efforts in the Skagit View Village system must be improved. When the District took control of the Skagit View Village system in 2005, there was an existing corrosion problem that resulted in customers’ exposure to elevated levels of copper. In the spring of 2005, the District installed a non-chemical Venturi-aeration process in the pump house to help remove carbon dioxide from the pumped water, thus increasing pH and reducing corrosivity. This improvement is described in the 2006 Consumer Confidence Report. While the process has reduced corrosivity of the water, as of June 2007 a few homes in the testing program continue to exceed the action level for copper. The District has determined that it should use a calcite contactor for pH control. This project is planned for 2008.
Mountain View is the sole Group B water system that is operated by the District. Requirements of Group B systems are described in WAC 246-291. According to WAC 246-291-320, the District is required to conduct annual Bacteriological monitoring. The District elects to monitor quarterly, however. In June 2000, a routine Bacteriological sample indicated presence of total coliform. Three repeat samples were collected in July 2000; all were satisfactory. While the District is required one nitrate sample every three years, the District elects to monitor nitrates annually. The District has also monitored for arsenic in 2003, and iron and manganese in 2006. The sample results for these constituents have indicated a presence below the MCL.
The Marblemount system installation was completed in early 2007. Since the April 2007 start-up, the District has been conducting monthly Bacteriological tests. All Bacteriological test results since system start-up have been satisfactory. In addition, the District conducted a full inorganic compounds analysis upon system start-up. All primary and secondary regulated inorganics are below the Specified Reporting Limits. The District anticipates that the Department of Health will require additional testing for other
4-94 parameters beginning in 2008, including lead and copper monitoring, volatile organic compounds, herbicides and pesticides, and other standard monitoring requirements in accordance with WAC 246-290. Additionally, the first Consumer Confidence Report for the Marblemount system will be published in 2008, and will include a summary of all water testing conducted in 2007.
4.6 System Deficiencies Several deficiencies are noted in the District’s water systems. They are not critical to the function or operability of the systems but do need to be addressed. Both facility and operation/maintenance deficiencies are noted. Proposed corrections to noted facility deficiencies have been included in the Capital Improvements listed in Section 5 of this Plan.
4.6.1 Seismic Vulnerability A consultant hired by the District completed a seismic vulnerability assessment of the District’s major pumping and distribution storage facilities in the Judy Reservoir and Fidalgo Island water systems. The consultant used the ground motions for a 1991 UBC Seismic Zone 3 Design Base Earthquake (DBE) as a basis for estimating seismic vulnerability. The consultant also reviewed local surficial geology to identify areas of greatest potential for ground failure (liquefaction and/or landslide) and resultant damage to pipelines and above-ground facilities. The majority of the facilities reviewed were found to be adequate, though some deficiencies were noted. The consultant provided recommendations for improvements to correct these deficiencies, summarized as follows:
4.6.1.1 Pump Stations Non-structural elements (booster pumps, electrical cabinets, fire extinguishers, etc.) should be anchored to resist 1.0G lateral force (the weight of the equipment).
To accommodate the loss of commercial power, pump stations should be fitted with either electrical fittings to allow external emergency power from a portable generator or with plumbing fittings to allow an external booster to pump around the pumping station. This is a design requirement for new District pump stations.
4.6.1.2 Storage Reservoirs The wood stave tank on Fidalgo Island at Similk Beach is considered highly vulnerable and should be replaced. On-site replacement with steel tanks would be effective. The District has constructed replacement storage at an alternate higher location, using control valves to provide backup service to lower pressure zones; the wood tank may be replaced in the future.
The anchorage of the Bay View Standpipe is considered inadequate by current AWWA standards and should be upgraded. The District has constructed new storage in the adjacent 290’ HGL pressure zone, which could allow the Standpipe to be removed from service and avoid the cost of their repair. This is addressed further in Section 5, Improvement Program.
4-95
All steel storage facilities should be reviewed for movement potential, and retrofitted with flexible connections on connected piping where not already provided.
4.6.1.3 Pipelines Asbestos cement pipes, gray iron pipe, and unrestrained concrete cylinder pipe located in the flood plain of the Skagit Valley are moderately to highly vulnerable in a 1991 UBC Seismic Zone 3 DBE. This accounts for a large portion of the Judy Reservoir system’s transmission main system and a moderate portion of the District’s distribution system. While it is not cost-effective to replace these vulnerable lines for only seismic vulnerability reasons, the District has placed a higher priority on and has replaced a significant portion of its asbestos cement pipe since 1994. Furthermore, seismic restraints will be considered for new major transmission and distribution pipelines through alluvial soils where permanent deformation could occur.
4.6.2 Low Pressure The Judy Reservoir System experiences problems with low pressure at the remote north and south ends of the 214’ HGL pressure zone during peak summer demands. The solution to the problems at the north and south ends of the 214’ HGL pressure zone is to follow the proposed replacement sizing guidelines indicated in Figure 4.1. The 12 and 16-inch loop west of Mount Vernon, to Pleasant Ridge, to Conway and back to Mount Vernon will dramatically reduce peak hour head loss and improve pressures and flows. Likewise, the 16-inch and 12-inch extensions north of Burlington and the proposed high- pressure transmission line project from Sedro-Woolley to Burlington and north will provide superior pressures and flows to the north end of the 214’ HGL pressure zone.
4.6.3 Storage The District prefers to rely on its own storage of at least 800 gallons per service connection. The Conway area does not have adequate on-site storage and must rely on the storage in the City of Mount Vernon for a portion of their storage. The District proposes new storage for Conway as indicated on Figure 5.2 and as outlined in more detail in Sections 4.1.2 and 4.1.3. The Pleasant Ridge area, southwest of Mount Vernon, would also benefit by the presence of distribution storage, also indicated on Figure 5.2.
4.6.4 Material Fatigue Material fatigue is affecting a small portion of the District’s water mains and some principal mainline meters. Those waterlines requiring unusually high levels of maintenance or repair have been scheduled for replacement or major repair in Section 5, Improvement Program. Three major mainline meters are out of service in the Judy Reservoir System, and two other locations require new meters to properly account for use in different geographic areas. These five meters are itemized in Section 6, Water Use Efficiency, and their costs included in Section 5, Improvement Program. They will assist in regional accountability and provide the basis for water audits to improve District water use efficiency.
4-96 4.6.5 Flow Velocity Older District distribution pipelines were not sized to provide fire suppression flows. The District adopted design criteria in 1994 that included a maximum flow velocity of 10 fps in ferrous (iron and steel) pipes and 8 fps in non-ferrous (Asbestos Cement, plastic and other non-iron) pipes, at all conditions. The new higher fire suppression flows required under the CWSP exaggerate this difference, as evidenced by the District’s documented hydraulic modeling (see Section 4.1). While all these distribution pipelines meet DOH flow criteria, smaller pipes in several older pressure zones (in lower areas) are projected to exceed District velocity criteria during fire suppression flows. Accordingly, when Fire Marshals indicate that specific projects require fire suppression flows that exceed these velocity criteria, the District will work with developers to replace these undersized pipelines. All new District distribution pipelines in Section 5, Improvement Program, meet the District’s velocity criteria.
4-97 5 Improvement Program The following describes the improvement program for the District, including how facilities are determined to be eligible for replacement, construction of new facilities, and system specific projects proposed to be constructed over the next 6, and next 20-years.
5.1 Improvement Criteria Any water system will eventually deteriorate without maintenance, but even the best- maintained water system eventually requires periodic facility replacement. Innovative technology and water quality requirements usually also lead to improvements to keep the water system operating cost-effectively. The Improvement Program in this Section consists of two components: Replacement and New Construction. The District will size new and replacement water plant and facilities based on the District’s design criteria (Section 4) and sound engineering judgment, considering projected system demands in and adjacent to an area being improved.
Land use along the route of any improvements shall be considered, but shall not drive sizing; hydraulics must be paramount, especially when transporting water through rural areas to meet water demands at a remote location.
5.2 Replacement Program The District assumes its new water lines have a life span of 50-years and has adopted material and installation criteria to ensure this. Much of the District’s existing water plant is reaching its life span, and some has exceeded it (See Figure 5.1). Older and undersized waterlines are continually stressed by the increasing demands on the system, and require increased maintenance and repair. The District has in recent years stepped up its replacement of such older and undersized water lines to offset increasing and more expensive individual repairs. The District has looked across the breadth of its water system replacement projects and established the following as its prioritized criteria for replacement of existing water lines:
1. Waterlines requiring excessive maintenance (leaks, breaks, etc.). 2. Waterlines that contribute to water quality problems (galvanized steel, unlined steel and iron, etc.). 3. Waterlines whose size restricts the capacity of flow available to an area; primarily relates to domestic flow, but may also relate to fire flow requirements. 4. Waterlines of material more susceptible to breakage, especially in a seismic event (ABS, thinwall PVC, AC, CI, CCP, etc.)
Combinations of the above criteria may accelerate the date at which a waterline is replaced. Fire hydrants are automatically considered on all replacement projects to ensure an area meets current requirements. Hydrant locations are coordinated with the Fire Marshall having jurisdiction.
5-98 5-99
5.3 New Construction Water system growth is usually driven by population and commercial growth, and will require expansion of the District’s infrastructure over time. There are also examples of water system growth which are driven by grant funding to address public health issues or environmental issues, such as the extension of a water pipeline into a low-flow basin.
The District is dedicated to coordinating District growth with local City and County governments to ensure there is an adequate supply of water in growth areas where the District has service responsibility. Specific projects, such as construction of new storage reservoirs or treatment facilities, or expansion of existing related facilities, are addressed to the extent growth projections require. New Remote Systems are addressed separately in Section 10 of this Plan, Satellite System Program. New Construction activities may carry its own individual installation and permitting requirements, similar to Construction replacement activities.
5.4 Identification of Improvements The District foresees the individual and groups of projects (indicated in Table 5.2 – Capital Improvement Plan) over the next 20 years. Capital improvements are indicated in Figure 5.2.
5.4.1 Judy Reservoir System Improvements
5.4.1.1 Source As explained in Section 3, the District currently has municipal water rights and perfected registered claims adequate for its 2020 average day capacity needs. As a follow-up to the Skagit River MOA, the District has received funding from the State Public Works Board for a replacement source from the Skagit River, to be used when instream flows set on the Cultus Mountain streams limit the withdrawal available for District use. The new Skagit River Diversion and Pipeline to provide up to 35.8 mgd of supplemental water from the Skagit River to Judy Reservoir is scheduled to be complete by 2008.
The District will pursue engineering and environmental analysis of options to increase the District’s source capacity for beyond year 2020 (listed in Section 3).
5.4.1.2 Treatment Treatment improvements include both quantity and quality of water processed. As follow-up to the Skagit River MOA, the District has received funding from the State Public Works Board for additional filtration basins and associated improvements for the Judy Reservoir WTP. These improvements are scheduled for completion by 2008.
The Safe Drinking Water Act, with all its associated Rules, is expected to drive the requirements for additional treatment of both surface water and groundwater for many
5-100 years to come. The District will continue to evaluate the best treatment methods for the sources available to provide the highest possible quality water for the price.
5.4.1.3 Transmission Pipelines As stated above, the District assumes its waterlines have a 50-year useful life span. Portions of the transmission line loop will be reaching this 50-year hallmark during this 20-year planning period.
Table 5-1 below identifies these portions:
Table 5.1 - TRANSMISSION LINE LIFE CYCLE End of 50 Year Pipe Date of Life Location Material Installation Span WTP to River Crossing CCP 1970 2020 Overhead River Crossing Steel 1958 N/A River Crossing to Sedro Woolley DI 1977 2027 Sedro Woolley to Burlington CCP 1977 2027 Burlington to Mount Vernon CCP 1967 2017 Mount Vernon to WTP CCP 1961 2011
This Plan identifies improvements required for the period 2007 though 2027. Based on growth projections and waning transmission line lifespans, the District has applied for, and was awarded funding from the State for a replacement transmission pipeline between Judy Reservoir and Mount Vernon. However, due to significantly increased construction costs, only a portion of the pipeline will be replaced. The District is currently working on plans to better assess the condition of the transmission pipelines, and determine if replacement dollars can be better allocated to distribution improvements.
The overhead river crossing near Sedro-Woolley installed in 1958 is not subject to the 50-year life span criteria as it receives regular inspections and preventative maintenance to keep it serviceable. However, the District plans to study a trenchless crossing of the Skagit River as a long-term replacement.
5.4.1.4 Distribution System To correct the deficiencies identified in Sections 4, the District developed a gridding plan for the urban and rural areas. This “pregrid” will provide adequate domestic and required fire flows for the foreseeable future and was used to complete the improvement schedule in Table 5.2. See Figure 4.1.
5-101 5.4.1.5 Storage The projection of service connections indicated in Section3 was used to estimate future additional storage. Additional storage will be required in the Mount Vernon area by the year 2010 and Conway by 2020.
5.4.2 Fidalgo Island System Improvements
5.4.2.1 Source The District serves its Fidalgo Island system with potable water purchased from the City of Anacortes’ water system: future treatment improvements are the City’s responsibility.
5.4.2.2 Distribution System Many of the distribution lines in the District’s Fidalgo Island system are older and/or of lesser quality materials than the average waterlines in the Judy Reservoir system; however, they are in good condition and require little maintenance. The standard line replacement in the Fidalgo Island system will be of 8-inch ductile iron. This facilitates fire flow capacity in residential cluster areas and provides water transfer capacity between pressure zones. Some larger lines will form an arterial system, allowing flows along greater distances with minimized frictional losses. Table 5.3 addresses specific projects identified for the Fidalgo Island system.
5.4.2.3 Storage The District’s storage facilities on Fidalgo Island consist of one steel, one wooden and three concrete tanks, with a total capacity of 800,000 gallons. As indicated in Section 4, the District intends to replace (or abandon) the remaining wooden tank, for increased storage capacity and to minimize the potential for seismic damage.
5.4.3 Remote System Improvements
5.4.3.1 Alger The Alger water system is relatively new and is not expected to require major improvements. The Samish Water District (formerly Whatcom County Water District No. 12) may pursue a waterline extension along Old Highway 99 North Road that would link the Alger water system to the Judy Reservoir water system at Bow Hill Road. This would provide water service potential from the Judy Reservoir system through Alger to Lake Samish.
5.4.3.2 Cedargrove The Cedargrove water system is in good condition and is not expected to require any major distribution system improvements.
5.4.3.3 Marblemount The Marblemount water system is in good condition and is not expected to require any major distribution system improvements. Work on the ‘pump-to-dump’ mitigation
5-102 pipeline controls and SCADA are expected to become compliant with the DOE water rights mitigation plan.
5.4.3.4 Mountain View The Mountain View water system is in good condition, however requests for service continue in the general area. Because the system is almost to its allowable capacity of 14 connections, the District intends to pursue connection of the system to the adjacent Judy Reservoir water system through a waterline extension.
5.4.3.5 Potlatch The Potlatch water system is in adequate condition and is not expected to require any major distribution system improvements.
5.4.3.6 Rockport The Rockport water system is in good condition and is not expected to require and major distribution system improvements.
5.4.3.7 Skagit View Village The Skagit View Village water system is in good condition and is not expected to require any major distribution system improvements. Routine maintenance to the existing well and treatment housing building is expected. Treatment improvements may include replacement of the existing aeration equipment, or the addition of a base to adjust pH.
5-103
5-104 5-105 5-106 5-107 5-108 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: 2007 - 2013 Major Capital Improvements
Name Description Total Year High Press 4.1-mile 18-inch Cook Road Transmission Pipeline transmission pipeline 2007 Raw water pump station on Skagit Skagit River Pumping Station/Pipeline River & pipeline to Judy Reservoir 2006-08 WTP Filters Double Judy WTP Filter capacity 2007 WTP Improvements Parallel 1.6-mile 36-inch transmission pipeline w/in Mount Transmission Line, Judy - MV (Phase 1) Vernon $ 5,000,000 2008 High Press 3.2-mile 16-inch Josh Wilson Transmission Line transmission pipeline $ 3,500,000 2009
E. Division Tank 5 MG tank adjacent to exst 1MG tank $ 6,000,000 2009 E. Division Pump Station Standby PS to support 560 Zone $ 500,000 2008 Pleasant Ridge Area Tank 0.2 MG Tank, 290' $ 250,000 2009 Bulson Road Area Tank 0.5 MG Tank $ 600,000 2009 N Sedro Woolley Reservoir #2 (430'/600k) 0.6 MG Tank $ 600,000 2010 SCADA $ 1,000,000 Hansen-Thomas Creek Pipeline
Parallel 5-mile 36-inch transmission Transmission Line, Judy - MV pipeline from WTP to Mount Vernon 2023 Dukes Hill Pump Station (214-459) $ 150,000 2015
5-109 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: 2007 - 2013 System Revenue Development Routine Non-Facility Work Annual Budgets Fund Fund Year Hydrant Upgrades $ 20,000.00 2007-2013 Blanket Work Orders $ 300,000.00 2007-2013 Computer Equipment/Software $65,000 2007-2013 Dam Financing $ 250,000.00 2007-2013 District Surveying/Mapping $ 40,000.00 2007-2013 Equipment $ 200,000.00 2007-2013 Fencing @ Judy Reservoir $ 10,000.00 2007-2013 General Upsizing $ 120,000.00 2007-2013 Mainline Meters $ 10,000.00 2007-2013 Office Equip / Furniture $ 30,000.00 2007-2013 WQ/Supply Improvements 2007-2013 Other LUDs (Samish River Park, Fonk Rd, etc) $ 500,000.00 2007-2013 Right of Way Clearing 2007-2013
Other Special Projects Reservoir Cathodic Protection Telephone System Misc. Building Improvements $ 50,000.00 Remove Similk Tank
5-110 5-111
5-112 6 Conservation Program
6.1 Water Conservation Program The District was required by WAC 246-290-830 to set measurable six-year Water Use Efficiency Conservation Goals that maintain or reduce water use. These goals were adopted on January 22, 2008 by the District’s Board, and are as follows:
1. Reduce unaccounted for water by one percent in the next six years.
2. Reduce consumption per Equivalent Residential Units from 178 gallons per service per day to 175 gallons per service per day in the next six years.
3. Reduce the summer peak flows from 1.7 times Average Daily Demand to 1.6 times Average Daily Demand.
If we assume successful water use reductions in keeping with the goals; Goal 1 should reduce the water consumption by 1/6th percent for each of the next 6-years (assuming that this unaccounted for water is leakage). Goal 2 would result in a 1.6-percent reduction in residential demand at the end of 6-years. Residential demand constitutes around 58-percent of the Judy System demands, and close to 100-percent of the satellite system demands. Goal 3 would decrease the maximum day from 1.7-times ADD to 1.6 times ADD. A determination of 2027 demands is difficult to extrapolate from the conservation projections because new customers are likely to use less water per capita owing to required efficient fixtures; however for the purpose of this extrapolation, it is assumed that this would manifest as a percentage decrease of the total.
Projected Production Without Efficiency Measures (1000's of Gallons) System 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2027 Judy System 2,962,317 3,014,303 3,067,201 3,121,027 3,175,798 3,231,530 3,288,241 4,122,711 Fidalgo Island 50,638 51,125 51,617 52,113 52,615 53,121 53,631 60,737 Alger 8,962 9,120 9,280 9,443 9,608 9,777 9,949 12,473 Cedargrove 21,730 21,939 22,150 22,363 22,577 22,795 23,014 26,061 Rockport 3,748 3,784 3,821 3,858 3,895 3,933 3,971 4,501 Skagit View Village 3,227 3,258 3,289 3,321 3,353 3,386 3,418 3,874
Projected Production With Efficiency Measures (1000's of Gallons) System 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2027 Judy System 2,952,798 3,004,617 3,057,345 3,110,998 3,165,593 3,221,146 3,277,674 4,109,464 Fidalgo Island 50,419 50,904 51,393 51,888 52,387 52,890 53,399 60,474 Alger 8,924 9,080 9,240 9,402 9,567 9,735 9,905 12,419 Cedargrove 21,636 21,844 22,054 22,266 22,480 22,696 22,914 25,948 Rockport 3,731 3,768 3,804 3,841 3,878 3,916 3,954 4,482 Skagit View Village 3,213 3,244 3,275 3,307 3,339 3,371 3,403 3,857
6-113 6.1.1 Water Use Efficiency The District’s existing Water Use Efficiency Plan was developed with the Conservation Planning Requirements manual, which was written jointly by the Washington Water Utilities Council, DOH and DOE. The District’s Water Use Efficiency Plan includes three basic elements: Water Use Data Collection, Demand Forecasting and a Water Conservation Program. Water Use Data Collection and Demand Forecasting are addressed in Section 3; this Section addresses the District’s Water Conservation Program.
6.2 Evaluation of water use efficiency Measures The District’s Water Use Efficiency Program does not include emergency/drought- related short-term regulatory or mandatory measures: those are characteristic of an emergency response plan, and are addressed in Appendix H, Emergency Response Plan. This Program, rather, deals with water use efficiency as a long-term source of supply. As recommended in the Conservation Planning Requirements manual, the District has evaluated public education, technical assistance, system measures, incentives and other water use efficiency measures in the development of its Conservation Program. These measures are all addressed as follows with regard to current and planned implementation.
6.2.1 Public Education Program
6.2.1.1 School Outreach The District staff visits classrooms of local elementary schools and provides the children with guided tours of a stream diversion and Water Treatment Plant on the average of 2 times per school year. The District has made a standing offer to the local Educational Service District (ESD) for further school involvement to help the schools meet their State mandated environmental education requirements. The District has been active in this school outreach program since around 1980.
6.2.1.2 Speakers Bureau The District has historically provided information to local civic, commercial and water- oriented organizations since its inception. Water use efficiency has become a requested topic at these presentations most noticeably since 1987. The District staff averages 2-3 such presentations per calendar year.
6.2.1.3 Program Promotion The District uses its quarterly newsletter to customers, its website, its political relationships to the County and local cities, and its service relationship with its customers to promote its water use efficiency program.
Handouts: The District maintains a stocked display of free water use efficiency handouts in the customer service area of its headquarters office in Mount Vernon. These may include publications by the State Building Code Council, DOH, Washington State Energy Office and AWWA. The District also offers Water Conserving Fixture information to new customers; the District offers this same information though the County and local city
6-114 building departments and permit centers. Handouts have been available from the District since around 1992.
News Media: District executive and staff members have appeared in the local newspapers and on local radio spots and shows dealing with water issues. The interview topic will sometimes turn to water use efficiency. The District supports water use efficiency as an avenue for reducing customers’ water consumption and mitigating the need for additional water source development; both of these will lead to slower long-term growth of utility bills.
6.2.2 Technical Assistance
6.2.2.1 Purveyor Assistance The District wholesales water to two customers: the Samish Farms Water Association and the North Fir Island Water Association. The District has ensured both customers have copies of this Conservation Program and the Water Conservation Requirements manual for their own use, and has offered assistance in the development of their respective water use efficiency plans, if needed.
6.2.2.2 Customer Assistance The District provides limited leak detection assistance to its customers, both from its headquarters office in Mount Vernon and from District employees in the field. Free dye tablets are available to customers to check for toilet tank leaks, as are copies of the District’s step-by-step checklist that customers can follow to determine if they have a leak in their service line or plumbing. This service has been available since around 1987.
6.2.2.3 Bill Showing Consumption History
Prior to 1991, the District’s utility billing was done by a consultant based on meter readings done by District personnel. In 1991, the District purchased the necessary computer and accessory equipment and began performing utility billing in-house. At that time, the billing configuration was changed to include a block on the bill for consumption history. Bills produced now show up to 12 past bills, including billing date, consumption during each cycle, number of days in each billing cycle, and average daily consumption for each cycle. The District believes this will help customers identify seasonal use patterns and limit peak consumption, easily identify substantial increases and help the customers identify leaks they may have on their side of their water meter.
6.2.3 System Measures
6.2.3.1 Source and Mainline Meters. The District has metered its diversions from the streams, its production from Judy Reservoir and wells, and mainline flow within the system since the District began operation. All source meters and mainline meters are read on the first working day of each month. Meter records dating back to 1971 are in a standardized format and are on
6-115 file available for review in the District’s Engineering Department. The District’s Water Treatment Plant for the Judy Reservoir system went on line in 1989, complete with an automated trending package for flows and process functions. The District has used the historical data gathered from this data accumulator to calculate the average day, peak day and overall peak production demands of the Judy Reservoir system; those figures are used in this Plan. The newest source and mainline meters in the District systems are modern positive displacement and turbine meters (Sensus), paddlewheel meters (Data Industrial), and reversible-flow magnetic meters (Toshiba); many of the older mainline meters are propeller (Sparling) meters. The District has identified some of these older mainline meters which are not functional at the writing of this Plan, and others whose accuracy may be in question. In support of future water audits, the District is continuing its meter rehabilitation/replacement program that will ensure high reliability and accuracy of mainline meter readings.
6.2.3.2 Service Meters.
All water services in the District’s water systems are metered. Service meters range in size from 5/8-inch positive displacement water meter (the standard residential service) to 8-inch fireline meters with detector check assemblies. All new service meters, other than for single family residential water services, are sized based on the IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code. The District tracks high use meters to check up on their accuracy, and meter readers routinely replace service meters which show signs of inaccuracy and failure. Approximately 680 service meters 1-inch and under were replaced in 2000, plus 21 meters between 1-1/2-inch and 4-inch. The District has recently started to track annual flow through its meters as a gauge of meter accuracy, and is looking at testing/replacing the 280 identified service meters that exceed the meter manufacturer’s warranted volume.
During 2006-07, the District has significantly increased its service meter replacement program. Over 6,000 radio-read meters were installed, which will both reduce the workload associated with reading meters, and also increase the overall accuracy of the system resulting in a decrease in unaccounted for water.
6.2.3.3 Unaccounted-for Water/Leak Detection
The District’s recorded unaccounted-for water (fire flows, hydrant testing, water system flushing, unmetered consumption and leaks) had averaged around 25 percent for the period 1984 through 1990, peaking at 26.59 percent at the end of 1990. In 1991, the District established an in-house water accountability program. District field employees, especially water quality technicians, followed up on suspected leaks and tested ponded and flowing water near existing District water lines for chlorine residuals. Several large leaks were discovered and repaired. The District reduced the 12-month average from over 25 percent in 1990 to under 15 percent as of October 1992. The District actually produced less water in 2000 than in 1990 while providing service to approximately 4,000 additional customers. The amount of water unaccounted for in 2006 averaged 7-percent for the year for all District water systems.
6-116
The next proposed step in reducing unaccounted-for water is to perform a water audit. Each District water system is divided into subareas based on the placement of source and mainline meters in each water system. The District will follow the guidance in the AWWA M36, Water Audits and Leak Detection manual, to identify areas with meter inaccuracies and/or leakage losses. Once these areas have been identified, the District will first verify and reinstate as needed the accuracy of large meters and second, if water loss is still greater than AWWA allowable leakage standards, have a consultant perform leak detection analysis of transmission and distribution pipelines in the subarea. Identified leaks will be verified and repaired. These measures are dependent on the District repairing and/or replacing deficient mainline meters as identified above. Also, the District’s existing customer billing information is insufficient to audit by subarea. An update to the Districts billing system should allow for an opportunity to audit on zones of the system measured by master meters.
The District has also hired a leak detection service in 2004 through 2006 to investigate approximately 25-miles of pipeline annually. This leak detection service investigates the sounds of leaks, and overall has found the District’s facilities to be in good condition.
Table 6.1 – Unaccounted water all District Systems Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Production (MG) 2,978 2,879 2,952 Total Unaccounted (MG) 260 282 197
Percentage Unaccounted 9.7% 9.9% 7.0%
As evidenced by Table 6.1, the District has averaged less than 10-percent unaccounted water for the past 3-years on an all system basis.
Table 6.2 presents unaccounted water on a system-specific basis. The District is investigating anomalies in the readings for many of these systems. The majority of the systems have a three-year average of less than 10-percent unaccounted for water. These systems will not require a water-loss control action plan. If the corrected data reveals that there was over 10-percent unaccounted for water for any system, a water-loss control action plan will be written and implemented.
6-117 Judy System Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Production (MG) 2,881 2,793 2,861 Total Billed 2,670 2,529 2,659 Total Unaccounted (MG) 212 264 202
Percentage Unaccounted 7.4% 9.4% 7.1%
Alger System Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Production (MG) 8.03 8.38 8.66 Total Billed 6.49 6.28 7.81 Total Unaccounted (MG) 221
Percentage Unaccounted 19.1% 25.0% 9.8%
Cedargrove System Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Production (MG) 14.87 5.62 3.17 Total Billed 8.66 8.08 9.16 Total Unaccounted (MG) 6-2-6
Percentage Unaccounted 41.8% -43.7% -189.3%
Fidalgo Island System Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Production (MG) 58.62 56.42 54.82 Total Billed 48.88 43.48 46.05 Total Unaccounted (MG) 10 13 9
Percentage Unaccounted 16.6% 22.9% 16.0%
Marblemount System **System not online until 2007 Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Production (MG) Total Billed Total Unaccounted (MG)
Percentage Unaccounted
Mountain View System Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Production (MG) 1.04 1.07 1.16 Total Billed 1.05 1.10 1.20 Total Unaccounted (MG) -0.01 -0.03 -0.04
Percentage Unaccounted -0.7% -2.9% -3.3%
Potlatch System Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Production (MG) 0.62 0.45 0.46 Total Billed 0.52 0.72 0.43 Total Unaccounted (MG) 000
Percentage Unaccounted 16.0% -60.0% 4.9%
Rockport System Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Production (MG) 3.68 3.24 3.81 Total Billed 3.47 3.45 3.83 Total Unaccounted (MG) 0.21 -0.06 -0.01
Percentage Unaccounted 5.6% -2.0% -0.2%
Skagit View Village System **System not online until 2006 Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Production (MG) 3.17 Total Billed 2.90 Total Unaccounted (MG) 0.09 Percentage Unaccounted 2.7%
6-118 6.2.4 Incentives/Other Measures
6.2.4.1 Effects of Water Conserving Fixtures on Future Demand. The Washington State Building Code, RCW 19.27, was revised in 1989, requiring all plumbing fixtures installed in new construction and remodels on or after July 1, 1993 to meet specified water use efficiency standards. The District’s 2007 single family residential consumption averaged 178 gpsd.
As indicated in Section 3, the District’s projected growth is expected to be predominantly from new construction. The District expects new homes to average approximately 150 gpsd.
A more complete analysis of the role of conservation, including existing customer remodels will take place during the District’s development of the water conservation program responding to the Municipal Water Law requirements. Copies of conservation literature utilized by the District have been included in Appendix O.
6.2.4.2 Single-family/Multifamily kits. As addressed above in Program Promotion and Customer Assistance, the District already provides assistance to its customers on request. This assistance is currently limited to providing access to water use efficiency literature at its headquarters office and through local building departments and providing free toilet tank leak detection dye tablets on request. The District is developing a list of simple water conserving retrofits, their approximate cost, local suppliers and payback potential. This list will be distributed to existing customers as a billing insert, and will be provided to new customers when they sign up for a service.
6.2.4.3 Nurseries/Agriculture The District has identified its largest water consumers to be commercial and agriculture customers with large demands for process water, livestock and irrigation watering (see Section 4). Many of the agriculture irrigation customers are already using drip irrigation systems to optimize water use; several of these irrigators have interruptible flow contracts with the District, requiring them to stop consumption if their high demands are adversely impacting domestic use in their area of the distribution system. The District requires new large irrigation customers to submit Blaney-Criddle Water Balance calculations to the District for review before the new irrigation service is approved and installed.
6.2.4.4 Landscape Management/Playfield The District has developed a demonstration garden in the front of its Mount Vernon headquarters facility, replacing portions of the grass area behind the existing fountains. This garden is an educational tool for local residents, public agencies and commercial enterprises; focusing on low maintenance, low water use, and native plants.
The District hopes to include water use comparisons and other information for the various landscape scenarios presented. The garden may also present information on
6-119 evapo-transpiration (ET) rates for the area and include a small weather station and soil moisture probes to control the District’s irrigation system. The District is also considering sponsoring workshops for low water-use landscaping, possibly using a portion of the garden as a training site.
The District has a water contract with a 730-acre golf course/country club which identifies their peak projected irrigation demands, requires that they have an interruptible supply for irrigation, and allows the District to provide recycled water at the District’s discretion for irrigation purposes. The District has similar irrigation agreement with commercial agriculture customers. While these “interruptible supply” terms are more for emergency response to a water shortage, they send the strong message to these customers that their individual actions towards water use efficiency and reductions in peak demands will mitigate emergency shutoffs. The District’s design standards require submission of Blaney-Criddle water balance calculations for large irrigation services to ensure water use efficiency planning.
6.2.4.5 Conservation Pricing
The District had historically used a declining block scale for its water rates, as recommended by consultants from the 1960s and before.
The District calculated that single and/or elderly customers on a fixed income use approximately 300 cf of water per month. Rate structures had offered the first 300 cf of water “free” every month for the minimum charge (based on meter size). This first 300 cf was considered by the District to be “survival water”. Water over 2,000 cf was available at a lower unit cost as it was relatively inexpensive to produce. Skagit County appeared to have a plentiful water supply and water use efficiency was not a strong consideration in the past.
The 1999 rates through 2,000 cf/month are more than twice that of the 1981 rates, but are about 4 times the 1981 rate over 2,000 cf/month. As a result of the 1992 and subsequent rate increases, some of the larger customers have reduced their overall water consumption.
6.2.4.6 Recycling/Reuse As indicated above, specific commercial enterprises are pursuing reusing water in their processes in an effort to reduce their utility bills. There is increased interest in Skagit County regarding recycling/reuse of sanitary wastewater per the new Interim Wastewater Reuse Regulations. An engineer for a local golf course/housing development has indicated that the reclaimed water from the proposed homes surrounding the golf course will be used for irrigating the course; irrigation demands exceeding available reclaimed water supply will be augmented by potable water. This approach is consistent with over 1,000 similar systems nationwide, and will be supported by the District to the extent that
6-120 District operations associated with the system remain economically viable and financially feasible, and meet State water quality requirements.
Local municipalities are largely leading the effort for wastewater reuse, as they own and operate wastewater treatment facilities within their jurisdictions. The City of Burlington and the City of Sedro-Woolley are both in the preparation stage to use recycled effluent for irrigation of some of their parks.
Figure 20 indicates the current sewage treatment facilities within Skagit County. These facilities are all operated by local government groups other than the District. The District is supportive of the use of recycled effluent, but has not been directly involved because the District does not process wastewater.
Per the interim planning guide for the municipal water law; the water system plan should include the following minimum elements:
• An inventory of large water users: The District identified it’s largest water customers in Table 4.4 of Section 4. • Identification of potential reclaimed water users: Of these customers, three are irrigation customers which could potentially be users of reclaimed water: Northwest Horticulture, Skagit Gardens Inc, and the Eaglemont Golf Club. • Estimates of how much water could be saved by development of reclaimed water projects: By billing designation, approximately seven-percent of water produced by the District is used by an irrigation customer. This does not include water used for irrigation purposes by other accounts (commercial, residential, governmental, etc).
• Identification of opportunities that your system intends to pursue within the next six years: As mentioned in this section the District does not own any wastewater treatment facilities. Therefore the District does not own the rights to use this effluent as reclaimed water.
6-121
• A brief analysis of the financial and operation feasibility of identified opportunities Currently this is not-applicable to the District for the reasons mentioned above.
6.3 Water Use Efficiency Alternatives
6.3.1 Mainline Meter Rehabilitation/Replacement Program Description: Repair/replace all mainline meters which are not functional and install new meters where there are none. At the writing of this Plan, there are 4 dead mainline meters in the Judy Reservoir system which will be replaced or repaired:
Blodgett Rd PRV meter SR 20 and District Line Road Clear Lake reservoir 9th Street 214 Meter
All source and mainline meters in all other District water systems appear to be running accurately. However, repairs and replacement are often required on a non-predictable basis.
Schedule: As indicated.
Budget: $10,000 per year.
Monitoring Requirements: The District will continue to check mainline meter readings monthly.
Target Water Savings Projections: None initially. This is the first step in performing the water audit and reducing unaccounted-for water.
6.3.2 Water Audit Description: Perform a water audit of all District water systems.
Schedule: In 2010, assuming new billing software is functional.
Budget: 2010 engineering budget will allot time for District staff to perform audits on Judy Reservoir water systems. This audit requires the implementation of new financial software which will track consumption by location more accurately than the current system.
Monitoring Requirements: District engineering and operations staff must monitor fire, flushing and meter reading operations in the year prior to the audit to ensure maximum accountability of water produced.
6-122 Target Water Savings Projections: None initially. This is the first step in performing the water audit and reducing unaccounted-for water.
6.3.3 Meter Accuracy Check/Transmission Line Leak Detection Description: The District will calculate the total allowable leakage per AWWA standards by area. Once these areas of higher calculated loss have been identified by water audits, the District will check major service meters for inaccuracies. Once satisfied of meter accuracy and if more than the allowable loss remains, the District will schedule a pipeline leak detection service.
Schedule: Those areas with more than the allowable loss should be prioritized based on water lost, and meters tested in that priority. It is expected that all large meters in an area would be tested and verified/replaced within 3 years after that area was identified with excessive losses. It is also expected that those areas with remaining losses should have a leak detection survey completed within 2 years after completion of meter accuracy checks. The Judy Reservoir systems may take up to 10 years to complete leak detection if all subareas of the system are involved.
Budget: No specific budget has been allotted. Meter accuracy checks are considered “maintenance”, as are leak detection activities. Actual leak detection activities may not commence until the year after meter checks are complete to allow for budget adjustments. Leaks detected will be repaired as soon as practical and financially feasible.
Monitoring Requirements: District engineering staff performing the original audit will regularly follow up on the progress of meter accuracy checks, and will prepare budgets and monitor progress of any leak detection activities.
Target Water Savings Projections: None initially. This is the first step in performing the water audit and reducing unaccounted-for water.
6.3.4 Selected Water Use Efficiency Activities Selection of the most cost-effective water use efficiency alternatives from the list above is based on evaluation of each alternative as a source of future water. Through the public process required by the Municipal Water Law, additional water use efficiency activities will be evaluated by the District and be included in future water system plan updates.
6-123 7 Source Water Protection
7.1 Cultus Mountain Raw Water Diversions The Judy Reservoir system currently receives all its raw water from four streams on the Cultus mountains (Turner, Mundt, Gilligan and Salmon Creeks). These streams have a tributary area as shown in Figure 7.1.
The tributary area is predominately industrial forestry land, though there is some low density residential development in the Janicki Road area. Much of the forestry land is owned and managed by Longview Fibre. The District has an agreement with Longview Fibre regarding the management of this land which includes minimizing spray used in this area. District staff also conducts an annual watershed tour with Longview Fibre to discuss issues related to the watershed.
Diversions from the Cultus streams are regulated by water treatment plant staff. The turbidity in the streams is monitored, so that water is not taken when the stream has high- turbidity such as following large rainfall.
The Districts Cultus Watershed control plan is included in Appendix J. There has not been significant progress from the 1994 plan. The District continues to have regular input and communication with Longview Fibre regarding the maintenance activities in the watershed; however, no new written agreement has been executed. The District intends to have our Environmental Services Coordinator pursue such an agreement within calendar year 2008.
7.2 Skagit River Watershed Protection Plan In 2003, the City of Anacortes and the District entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to jointly conduct a watershed control plan for the Skagit River. This plan was prepared by EES and written in 2004. This report identifies hazards to the Skagit River water quality, and contact information for emergency responders (such as WSDOT for chemical spills).
The District and Anacortes intend to enter into Memorandums of Understanding with Cities that discharge effluent to the Skagit River to be notified of any unusual events. The District has not begun to utilize the Skagit River Diversion, and will likely not begin to use the diversion until 2009. The District will work with the City of Anacortes to have these agreements signed prior to operation of the diversion pump station. The Skagit River Watershed Protection Plan is included in Appendix J.
7.3 Remote Systems Wellhead protection The Source Water Control Program for the wellheads at Alger, Cedargrove, and Rockport are covered in Appendix J. Additional plans for the District’s newly acquired systems at Skagit View Village and Marblemount are under development. The District plans to submit a WHPP to DOH and conduct education/notification for Skagit View Village and Marblemount within calendar year 2008.
7-124 7-125
7-126 8 Operation and Maintenance Program This section of the Water System Plan discusses the District’s Operation and Maintenance Program, including Operator certification, operating procedures, maintenance schedules, emergency response, water quality monitoring, and cross- connection control. It covers all District water system infrastructure, interties and the Skagit Regional Supply System.
8.1 Routine Operation Procedures The General Manager performs the day-to-day executive operation of the District, including directing emergency response to major disasters. The Finance Manager oversees all financial, information systems and storekeeping operations of the District. The Auditor prepares all budgetary estimates and oversees fiscal and inventory control processes. The Engineering Manager oversees all engineering design, plan checks, surveying, water quality, cross-connection control and water supply operations of the District. The Operations Manager oversees distribution system operations and the management of District construction contracts. The Planning Manager oversees all long range planning and supports various engineering functions. The Superintendent oversees the Construction Department and coordinates all field construction, maintenance and meter reading operations by District personnel. Figure 8.1 identifies the current organization of the District.
8.1.1 Staffing and Operator Certification The Washington State Water Works Certification Program requires minimum levels of operator competency at various stations within the District organization to ensure the water systems are run prudently and the water supplies meet minimum standards. The Mandatory Water Works Certification Law requires that each individual responsible for daily technical operation of the water system(s) be certified as a Water Distribution Manager. The Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Board of Examiners has adopted a policy which requires shift supervisor positions, any position which involves sole decision-making authority for major water quality control programs, and any position which involves the overall daily technical operation of a public water system, distribution system, or purification plant to be staffed by individuals who hold the appropriate operator certificate. Table 8-1 indicates the staff members currently certified.
The District supports the certification program by educating its employees when it is practical and/or the training is required. The District works closely with the local AWWA subsection and the Washington Environmental Training Center (WETRC) to ensure employees receive their required triennial 3.0 continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their certifications. Personnel are encouraged to attend local (within 100 miles) programs when they are offered, provided the session is applicable to the employee’s position at the District. The District also funds attendance at training outside the state of Washington if the benefits to the employee and the District are significant.
8-127 Figure 8-1 – District Organization Structure
8-128 Table 8.1 – District Staff Waterworks Certification Certification: Required Actual Cert. Position Cert. Cert. Number Name Level Level Water Distribution Manager: General Manager N/R WDM4 10370 Johnson, Dave Engineering Manager WDM4 WDM4 2791 Peterka, Greg WTP Superintendent N/R WDM4 2794 Hamilton, Greg WTP Operator N/R WDM3 4988 Esser, Russ WTP Operator N/R WDM2 949 Weaver, Jim WTP Operator N/R WDM2 3874 Wardell, Dale WTP Operator N/R WDM2 4760 Drummond, Don WTP Operator N/R WDM2 Brusseau, Thad Inspector N/R WDM2 6820 Birkett, Tom Water Equip Maint Worker N/R WDM2 8444 Bos, Todd Water Equip Maint Worker N/R WDM2 8234 Fox, Mike Engineering Technician N/R WDM2 7738 Felix, Dan Engineering Technician N/R WDM2 7647 Hiltz, Tim Info/Communication Admin N/R WDM2 7621 Chrysler, Gary Constr Superintendent N/R WDM4 10183 Spangler, Brad Asst Construction Superintendent N/R WDM2 10154 Kennedy, Gary Asst Construction Superintendent N/R WDM2 10127 Deleeuw, Don Constr Crew Supervisor N/R WDM2 10175 Sheahan, Ron Constr Crew N/R WDM2 McCoy, Ed Constr Crew N/R WDM2 Lee, Jim Constr Crew N/R WDM2 Staniford, Al Carpenter/ Constr Crew N/R WDM2 Cook, Lorry Constr Crew N/R WDM2 Humerickhouse, Ron Constr Crew N/R WDM2 Middleton, Jerry
Water Distribution Specialist: Surveyor/Locator N/R WDS2 7672 Ness, Kerry Water Quality Technician N/R WDS1 8251 Holmstrom, Dar Water Equip Maint Worker N/R WDS1 8234 Fox, Mike Yeager, Darrell
Cross-Connection Control: WTP Operator N/R CCS1 949 Weaver, Jim Inspector N/R CCS1 7865 McConnell, Doug Inspector N/R CCS1 7891 Shepherd, Guy
Backflow Assembly Tester Contract Administrator N/R BAT1 7865 McConnell, Doug Inspector N/R BAT1 7891 Shepherd, Guy Inspector N/R Campeau, George
Water Treatment Plant Operator: WTP Superintendent WTPO4 WTPO4 2794 Hamilton, Greg WTP Operator WTPO2 WTPO4 949 Weaver, Jim WTP Operator WTPO2 WTPO4 Moore, John WTP Operator WTPO2 WTPO4 3874 Wardell, Dale WTP Operator WTPO2 WTPO3 4988 Esser, Russ WTP Operator WTPO2 WTPO3 Brusseau, Thad WTP Operator WTPO2 WTPO2 Segebrecht, Bob Water Equip Maint Worker N/R WTOPIT 8234 Fox, Mike Info/Communication Admin N/R WTOPIT 7621 Chrysler, Gary
8-129
The District has sponsored an average of two classes per year for the last four years through WETRC, supporting CEUs for its employees and those of other public water systems in the area. Class subjects sponsored by the District have included Water System Construction Inspection, Competent Person Training, Pipeline Corrosion Control, Management of Small Water Systems, First Aid and CPR, Defensive Driving, and Design Consultant Selection and Management.
8.1.2 Water Treatment Facilities The District operates water treatment facilities for its Judy Reservoir, Alger, Cedargrove, Mountain View and Potlatch water systems and is in the process of adding a treatment facility for the Rockport water system. The Fidalgo Island system receives treated water from the City of Anacortes.
8.1.2.1 Judy Reservoir Water Treatment Plant The Judy Reservoir Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is a direct filtration facility and was placed in service in 1990. The WTP has an average capacity of 12 mgd with a peak capacity of 18 mgd. At the time of this Water System Plan writing, construction is underway for the addition of filters and flocculation basins to increase the capacity of the WTP to 24 mgd average production and 30 mgd peak production.
8.1.2.1.1 Filtration Process In general, the raw water impounded in Judy Reservoir flows by gravity from one or more gates of the intake tower in Judy Reservoir to the raw water pumping station (see Figure 8.2). The raw water is disinfected with chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and pumped up to the control building; carbon dioxide and coagulant aids are also added at this stage. The water flows through an in-line static flash mixer to two 2-stage flocculation basins. The water flows from there to the filter basins. There are four filter basins, 500 square feet each, utilizing a high speed filtration process through coal and sand filter media. The filtered water is disinfected again with chlorine and flows by gravity to three finished water reservoirs (clearwells) near the WTP; these include one steel 3 MG tank and two steel 1.22 MG tanks. Caustic soda (NaOH) and ammonia (NH3) are added before the clearwells to produce a chloramines residual. Finished water from the clearwells flows by gravity down the transmission lines to the distribution system and the District’s customers.
The WTP filters are alternated to maintain finished water production, and backwashed regularly to remove suspended solids, including micro-organisms, which are trapped by the filter media. The filter backwash water is diverted to the backwash water recycle basin; filter-to-waste water is also diverted to the recycle basin. Two recycle pumps send the backwash and filter-to-waste water from the recycle basin to one of two 19,000 square foot settling lagoons. The majority of the water from the lagoons is decanted back to Judy Reservoir and the backwash solids remain. The District contracts for the solids to be removed and disposed of off site.
8.1.2.1.2 Staffing
8-130 The WTP is semi-automated to allow for unattended operation, although there are operators on site 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Operators work in three shifts: a. The Day Shift Operator works from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and is directly responsible for the WTP operation while on duty. The Operator must collect all pertinent readings and perform all lab checks, dosage checks, equipment inspections, routine operations and maintenance, and other tasks as assigned. Day Shift Operators change shifts every five weeks. b. The Night Shift Operator works from 8:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and is directly responsible for the WTP operation while on duty. The Operator must collect all pertinent readings and perform all lab checks, dosage checks, equipment inspections, routine operations and maintenance, and other tasks as assigned. Night Shift Operators change shift every five weeks. c. The Relief Shift Operator works from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is directly responsible for WTP operations until the Day Shift Operator comes on duty at 10:00 a.m. After that, the Relief Shift Operator takes care of maintenance and repair operations that the oncoming operator would have difficulty starting and finishing in a timely manner without interruptions of routine operations. On weekends, the Relief Shift Operator checks the boat house, stream diversions, stream gauges, and performs grounds and vehicle maintenance and other tasks as assigned. Relief Shift Operators change shifts every five weeks.
The Operator on duty is required to completely fill out the Weekly Operator Checklist for their period of duty, record all chemical feed data, record all completed maintenance tasks in equipment logs, calculate and log CT at the end of the shift, and record a brief description of shift events on the daily calendar.
The WTP Superintendent schedules work shifts, oversees the day to day operation of the WTP and assumes operator duties as scheduled. The control building at the WTP is centrally located (see Figure 8.2), allowing Operators to control and monitor WTP functions and receive WTP alarms. The control system includes trending software to log data regarding WTP processes and production. The WTP control system is the basis for the District's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, providing monitoring and alarm indication from remote water facilities, remote data logging and control of specific functions at the remote sites. The SCADA system will be covered in more detail later.
WTP Operators visit the four Cultus Mountain streams daily during the regular work week to check diversions, take flow measurements, read the stream gauges and perform routine maintenance.
8.1.2.1.3 Shutdown and Startup Operations A brief summary of planned WTP shutdown and startup procedures are as follows:
8-131 PLANNED WTP SHUTDOWN
1. At the main control panel (CP-1), switch all sample pumps (except finished water) to “manual”. 2. Turn raw water pump(s) off. 3. Close all filter effluent valves. 4. At the main control panel (CP-1), switch all caustic soda and ammonia pumps to “off”. 5. Close both chlorine cylinder valves. 6. Close PAC and CAP feed lines at the application points before the static mixer raw water pipeline. 7. Close carbon dioxide gas and feed water (**do not close application point**) 8. Check fail-to-close valves at ammonia and caustic soda have indeed closed. 9. Verify W-2 feed water is off at each system; verify bypass water is also off. 10. Verify that chlorine dioxide system is off, that makeup water is off and that chlorinators have shut down. 11. If plant effluent sample pump is to be turned off, turn analyzer “off” (inside key pad chamber)
WTP STARTUP
1. If Panorama system has been shut down, switch both W-1 pumps and Surface Wash pumps to “manual” at the pump station (to prevent the automatic sequence of the pump systems). 2. Disinfection start-up: a. Open chlorine cylinder valves b. Switch volume regulators to (1) operating (1) reserve c. Set chlorine dioxide generator to “local start”. d. Open chlorine dioxide generator feed water slowly e. Turn trim pot on chloramatic valve “off” (clockwise). f. Use thumb screw to set chlorite flow to anticipated pounds per day. g. Set generator chlorinator to “manual” and adjust Cl2 as above with +/-.
3. Chemical feed start-up: a. Open CAP and PAC application points b. Open CO2 feed water c. Slowly open CO2 gas d. Open Cl2 bypass valve e. Open any miscellaneous CAP and PAC valves that are closed f. Start CAP and PAC manually and set to desired RPM setting g. Verify that feed water and bypass water are open and flowing h. Start FAP system manually
4. Verify caustic and ammonia are still in the “off” position. 5. Start raw water pump.
8-132 6. Start chlorine to filters; start filter to waste; do not overload Cl2 to plant effluent without flow; if required, close plant rotameter; if Cl-17 analyzer was “off”, switch to “on”. 7. Start ammonia and caustic soda when filters are on line. 8. Return chlorine dioxide generator to “remote start”; trim pot to desired gain; switch chlorinators and chemical feed to “auto”; switch sample pumps to “auto”.
A detailed description of Water Treatment Plant operations are included in Appendix G, Water Treatment Plant Operations Manuals. Maintenance and operations of specific WTP components are included in manuals at the WTP.
8-133 8-134
8.1.2.2 Alger Water Treatment System Test results indicated that the dissolved manganese in the Alger groundwater was slightly above the MCL, however the previous system had not chlorinated the water and it had not been a problem. With a new chlorinator being planned for the Alger system and the District's past experience at Cedargrove, the District planned for and installed an ATEC Model 18-48-04 Iron and Manganese Removal System. A chlorinator is installed in the pumphouse at the wellsite, and automatically injects chlorine into the source water upstream of the filter system whenever the well pump is running, precipitating the dissolved manganese. The chlorinated groundwater then flows through the filter media in its four 18-inch diameter pressure vessels, removing the precipitated minerals. The ATEC system operates at about 45 gpm and backwashes after 65,000 gallons of production for 3 minutes for each of the four pressure vessels. The system is over 90 percent efficient, dropping the iron from 0.012 ppm in the raw water to 0.001 parts per million in the finished water, and dropping manganese from 0.096 ppm in the raw water to 0.006 parts per million in the finished water. The O&M manual for the filtration system is included in Appendix G. Even after the filtration system, the chlorine residual of the finished water averages 0.50 ppm at the pumphouse and about 0.05 ppm at the most remote point in the water system. The well system is controlled by the SCADA system, allowing the District remote control at any time and immediate response to specific alarms/failures. See Section 9.3, Emergency Response Procedures. The District monitors the well system, chlorinator and filtration system regularly, and water quality samples are taken as required.
8.1.2.3 Cedargrove Water Treatment System As a precautionary measure, the District had opted to chlorinate the source water for the Cedargrove water system. This chlorination acted to precipitate the dissolved iron out of the groundwater. Though the dissolved iron was below the MCL, iron precipitate would settle out in the waterlines and in the distribution reservoir, damaging customers' laundry and causing aesthetic problems in the distribution system. As a result, the District has recently installed an ATEC Model 24-48-04 Iron and Manganese Removal System and will soon be adding a chlorine generator. The existing chlorinator installed in the pumphouse automatically injects chlorine into the source water upstream of the filter system whenever the well pump is running, precipitating the dissolved iron and manganese. The chlorinated groundwater then flows through the filter media in its four 18-inch diameter pressure vessels, removing the precipitated minerals. The ATEC system operates at about 130 gpm and backwashes after about 62,000 gallons of production for 3 minutes for each of the four pressure vessels. The system is over 75 percent efficient, dropping the iron from 0.122 ppm in the raw water to 0.030 parts per million in the finished water, and dropping manganese from 0.094 ppm in the raw water to 0.009 parts per million in the finished water. The O&M manual for the filtration system is included in Appendix G. Even after the filtration system, the chlorine residual of the finished water averages about 0.8 ppm at the pumphouse and 0.3 ppm at the most remote point in the water system. The well system is equipped with a telemetry alarm system, which notifies the District of specific failures at any time. See Section 8.4,
8-135 Emergency Response Procedures. The District monitors the well system, chlorinator and telemetry weekly, and water quality samples are taken as required.
8.1.2.4 Marblemount Treatment System The Marblemount water system currently includes no water treatment.
8.1.2.5 Mountain View Treatment System An inorganic analysis of the groundwater source for the Mountain View water system indicates the presence of manganese over the maximum contaminant limit (MCL) and hardness of 115 mg/l. The well system installer provided an ion exchange treatment system to reduce the manganese and hardness in the finished water. The ion exchange system has dual resin tanks and is sized to serve a peak demand of 49 gpm from each tank. The counter in each tank’s controller keeps track of the volume of water passed and backwashes alternate tanks automatically after 15,000 gallons have been processed; this allows the second tank to serve while the first tank is being backwashed. The backwash cycle takes approximately 108 minutes and the water system can be adequately served from one tank alone for this duration. The District monitors the salt level in the brine tanks regularly, and measures the static well water level and reads source meter consumption on a monthly basis. Preventative maintenance on the ion exchange system is performed per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
8.1.2.6 Potlatch Water Treatment System The District constructed a reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration facility as a source of potable water for the Potlatch water system on the west shore of Guemes Island. Seawater is collected in an infiltration gallery below the marine water line and lifted to the RO facility above the high water line. The seawater is processed through a Vaponics Model VMMF-48F multi-media filter and an Osmonics Model OSMO-20SW- HR(PA)28K-DLX saltwater RO system, providing about 20 gallons per minute continuously while the system is running. The system effluent is returned to the shoreline through a gravity drain line. The facility was constructed to allow the filter media to be changed and other maintenance performed without dismantling the system. The O&M manual for the filtration system is included in Appendix G. The chlorine residual of the finished water averages about 1.2 ppm at the pumphouse and 0.2 ppm at the most remote point in the water system. The RO facility is controlled by the SCADA system, allowing the District remote control at any time and immediate response to specific alarms/failures. See Section 8.4, Emergency Response Procedures. The District monitors the RO system regularly through SCADA, and water quality samples are taken as required. All parts and inquiries about the RO system reference CFO# 430411/909278.
8.1.2.7 Rockport Water Treatment System The Rockport water system currently includes a filtration system by ATEC, Inc., the same manufacturer/installer as the Alger and Cedargrove water filtration systems. The system operates at approximately 40 gpm. An O&M manual is included in Appendix G.
8-136 8.1.2.8 Skagit View Village Water Treatment System The Skagit View Village includes an aeration treatment system to reduce the corrosivity of the source water.
8.1.3 Pump Stations District employees visit booster and well pump stations on a regular basis. Submersible well pumps are not removed from service for maintenance unless a problem is evident. Booster pumps are checked for power source and pressure inconsistencies, overheating and leaks 2 to 3 times per week, and preventive maintenance on motors is performed annually or as required.
The well systems / booster pumps at Alger, Bow Hill, Potlatch and Tinas Coma are monitored by the SCADA system, which notifies the District of specific failures at any time and allows immediate response via a computer connection at any time from almost any location (see Section 9.1.6). The District monitors these booster and well pump stations constantly and visits them as required, at least monthly.
The well systems / booster pumps at Gibralter Road, Rockport, Cedargrove and Lake 16 are each equipped with a telephone dialer telemetry alarm system, which notifies the District of specific failures at any time (see Section 9.1.6). The District visits these booster and well pump stations and their telemetry at least weekly.
There are portions of the District’s system which meet the definition of a ‘closed system’ per the DOH Design manual; meaning they rely on a single pump station for their source. In those closed systems which do not include storage, this means pressures will fall during a power-loss event.
The District has two standby generators, and transfer switches at most of its critical facilities. The priority during a widespread power loss would be refilling critical tanks in the Judy System and remote systems. If the power loss is limited to a closed system, the District would consider using the generators on booster stations depending on the duration of the outage, and the ability to avoid interference with electrical repair crews.
8.1.4 Reservoirs The District currently monitors each of its distribution storage reservoirs at least weekly. Since the 1994 Water System Plan, the District has developed a more regular schedule of interior and exterior cleaning for its reservoirs, with a painting schedule. Exterior cleaning is scheduled when a reservoir’s appearance is undesirable or when it becomes difficult to monitor exterior finish integrity.
Interior cleaning is more difficult to schedule, but is monitored in each reservoir at least every five years. For many of the District’s reservoirs, the following reasons make it impractical and costly to completely drain and remove them from service: the stored water would generally be wasted, a financial loss of both the treatment costs and potential net revenue,
8-137 drainage of large volumes of chlorinated water to surface sources can cause adverse environmental impacts, and the storage is vital to meeting diurnal demands of the specific pressure zone of the water system.
Recent technology improvements allow interior cleaning and repair of storage reservoirs while they remain in service. While this method is more expensive, it mitigates other negative impacts and makes the process more attractive than conventional methods. The District considers this option when selecting a maintenance method.
The reservoirs at Alger, Bay View Ridge, Bow Hill, Potlatch, Marblemount, Rockport, Lake 16, Dukes Hill, Gibralter, Fidalgo Heights, Skagit View Village, East Nookachamps, Thompson Road, Eaglemont and Tinas Coma are each monitored by the SCADA system. The reservoirs at Cedargrove, East Big Lake, West Big Lake, and Hoogdal are each monitored by a telephone autodialer telemetry alarm system. (see Section 8.1.6)
8.1.5 Meters and Utility Billing The District has over 22,000 consumption meters in its seven water systems, of which over 21,500 are active. It also has another 29 source and 46 mainline meters. All meters are read either monthly or bimonthly depending on consumption and billing cycles. All 16,000(+) single family residential meters and the majority of the multifamily and commercial meters are read bimonthly in six sequential cycles. Source, mainline and high volume consumption meter readings are made on a monthly basis. All consumption meters are read by the District’s meter personnel; source and mainline meter readings are taken by District operations personnel.
Until 1991, District meter personnel recorded consumption from service meters in meter books. The meter books were then transported to a service contractor who sent out the utility bills to District customers. In 1991, the District purchased an IBM AS-400 mini- mainframe computer system, ITRON hand-held meter recorders and accessory equipment to perform all utility billing functions in-house. With the rapid growth in the District, this investment has proven its benefits through increased meter reading efficiency and improved response to customer inquiries.
To further improve the efficiency and speed of meter reading, the District has equipped all new meters with “touch-read” capability since 1995. This uses a wand attached to the ITRON hand-held unit to read the meter, eliminating meter box cleanout to read the meter and decreasing the duration spent at each meter. The District is also retrofitting existing meters with “touch-read” sensors for uniformity and increased efficiency, and is reviewing the potential for “radio-read” meters in specific areas.
Utility billing is done on the same cyclic basis as the meters are read. The District produces and mails all customer water bills using in-house equipment and personnel. Additional information (“billing inserts”) such as a quarterly newsletter, conservation information, etc., may also be included in the same envelope with a water bill at various
8-138 times of the year. Customers may currently either pay their bill by mail using the envelope enclosed with the bill or may pay in person at the District headquarters in Mount Vernon or at any one of three designated branch offices of Skagit State Bank (one in Burlington, one in Mount Vernon, and one in Sedro-Woolley). The District also now accepts payment by electronic funds transfers from a customer's bank, and is considering internet-based billing, use history and payments as well as credit card payments.
8.1.6 SCADA and Telemetry Systems The District used telemetry systems starting in the early 1950’s to monitor the Ranney Well and specific reservoir levels. The telemetry provided feedback to the District on remote conditions, but the District could only respond if an alarm condition occurred and was noticed during the work day. These early telemetry systems were removed in the early 1980’s due to the age of the equipment and budget restrictions. In 1988, the Rockport water system was the first District system to offer 24-hour telephone-based telemetry to report alarm conditions in a distribution system. By 1994, the District had 24-hour telemetry alarm systems at Judy Reservoir, Rockport, Cedargrove, Lake 16, Dukes Hill, Hoogdal, East Big Lake and West Big Lake.
In addition to those telephone telemetry systems, the District has installed a Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, which allows control of the monitored systems from any location that has an authorized District computer connection. The SCADA system monitors and controls water system operations at Alger (well, WTP and reservoir), Bay View Ridge (intertie and reservoir), Bow Hill (pumps and reservoir), Fidalgo Heights (reservoir and pumps), Nookachamps Hills (pumps), Fir/Waugh (pumps), Lake 16 (pumps and tank), Potlatch (well, RO system, pumps and reservoir) Skagit View Village, Rockport, Marblemount, and Tinas Coma (pumps and reservoir). SCADA base stations are located at both the District Headquarters facility and at the Judy Reservoir WTP, allowing 24-hour coverage. The District has received funding from the Public Works Trust Fund to expand the SCADA system within the Judy Reservoir water system. The proposed improvements will reduce District operational costs by reducing both travel time required to visit and monitor water facilities and wear and tear on District vehicles, while also reducing response time to problems, tracking operational trends and generally optimizing the system’s operational capabilities.
8.2 Preventative Maintenance The District adheres to a system of preventative maintenance on specific elements of the District’s assets, specifically those that are most difficult to replace or have a high incidence of failure if left unattended. Maintenance of these elements, most notably reservoirs, pumps, valves, construction equipment and vehicles, are discussed in the following paragraphs (Table 8-2 lists a recommended schedule for preventive maintenance of District assets):
8.2.1 Reservoirs Reservoirs are all checked on a regular basis to ensure they are intact, working properly and the water is cycling adequately. The majority of the District’s reservoirs are located where they can obtain the best hydraulic advantage, in many cases remote from dense
8-139 population. This is an advantage in that catastrophic failure would not normally physically damage a large area or populace.
8.2.2 Pumps Pumps at District treatment facilities, groundwater sources, and distribution systems are checked on a regular basis to ensure their power source is intact, their input and output pressures are within range, and there are no indications of imminent failure. Pump motors are maintained annually or as required.
8.2.3 Valves The District adheres to a cyclic valve maintenance program. The District Superintendent maintains a log of all gate and butterfly shutoff valves in the distribution systems and when each was last exercised.
District employees exercise and perform repairs on valves and casings area by area. Repairs requiring asphalt removal and replacement are coordinated with the Superintendent. Shutoff valves which are found to have failed in the closed position are repaired immediately. District employees report faulty valves whenever discovered and they are repaired as soon as practical. The District’s goal is to maintain the three year maintenance cycle on all valves in the system.
Automatic control valves are monitored by the District on a regular basis. These valves are normally associated with mainline meters (pressure reducing valves between pressure zones) and reservoirs (altitude valves), and are monitored with these other facilities as scheduled. Control valves are repaired or rebuilt as deemed necessary by the District. Control valves are listed in Table 4-3 and are principally of the diaphragm-type. New diaphragm valves are ordered with an interior epoxy coating and stainless steel trim to minimize maintenance requirements.
8.2.4 Equipment The District has 95 pieces of equipment, including 4 vehicles for personnel transportation, 83 pieces of construction-related equipment, and 8 pieces of facility support equipment. All equipment not under warranty or requiring specialized service is maintained on a regular schedule by a full-time District mechanic.
8-140 Table 8-2 Maintenance Schedule for District Facilities
DESCRIPTION MINIMUM FREQUENCY Reservoirs Site security (fence, hatch, ladders) Once every site visit Tank integrity (roof, vent, walls and Once every site visit drain outlet for holes & insect / animal / bird resistance) Interior inspection Cursory Once annually Detailed Based on cursory inspection Interior cleaning As recommended by interior inspection Painting (interior/exterior) As required for coating integrity and water quality
Pumps Test Once annually Amp draw monitoring Once annually (during test) Lubricate motor Once annually (prior to test) Check packing; repack as required Once annually (after test)
Gate & Butterfly Valves Locate / Exercise Once every 3 years
Control Valves Exercise Once every 5 years (or when suspect) Rebuild When valve won’t open or fully close during exercise
SCADA Test all functions Once weekly
Telemetry Test all functions Once annually
Cathodic Protection Systems Measure and log stray current and protection levels Once annually
Equipment/Vehicles Rolling stock Per manufacturer’s recommendation Non-wheeled equipment Per manufacturer’s recommendation
Emergency Systems Test UPS Once annually Test motor generator(s)* Once annually
*Maintain per manufacturer’s recommendations in O&M manual
8-141
8.3 Water Quality Analysis Operations
8.3.1 Background The District has historically carried out an aggressive water quality monitoring program. Bacteriological test results have been acceptable for at least the last fifteen years. Trihalomethane (THM) levels in the Judy Reservoir distribution system have been reduced substantially since the District’s disinfection procedure was changed from using free chlorine to monochloramine disinfection techniques in 1990. Results of inorganic chemical analyses have been well below the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and, in many cases, below the laboratories’ detection limits. Regulated volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) have been below the MCLs in all 7 water systems since the District testing began in 1988. Radionuclide test results have been acceptable, as well as a pesticide vulnerability scan (Methods 515, 525 and 531) which has shown no measurable levels as late as July 2001. Asbestos levels of raw water in Judy Reservoir were undetectable. Treated water at the most remote site in the Judy Reservoir system has also tested asbestos-free, except for one single fiber. See Section 4.5 and Appendix M for more detailed information.
The District has the required number of coliform monitoring locations for each of its systems, and collects samples as required. The District is transitioning to fixed test-stations, and has installed 23 thus far in its Judy System (see map, Appendix M).
A coliform monitoring plan has been completed for the Potlatch system and has been included in Appendix M. For other systems, these plans, tables and maps are partially complete. The District’s water quality coordinator is working towards completion of these plans. Plans and maps for all systems are expected to be completed at the end of calendar year 2008.
8.3.2 Sampling Procedures The District estimates that more than 24,000 water quality related tests take place on the Judy Reservoir water supply system annually. Many of these tests are conducted at the water treatment plant for quality assurance, and a large number of tests are carried out within the distribution system. Water testing which takes place as a direct result of the Safe Drinking Water Act comprises a small percentage of the tests which the District conducts each year.
Inorganic chemical analyses are conducted each year for the Judy Reservoir System. The last test was conducted in April 2001, and all test results were well within the requirements of the regulations. Analyses were also conducted in Alger (April 2000), Cedargrove (April 1999), Mountain View (April 2001), Potlatch (March 2001), and Rockport (April 1999). An initial inorganic analysis was conducted for the Mountain View water system by the developer. Since this is a Group B water system, follow-up sampling is at the discretion of the State, but select organics are tested by the District.
8-142 Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC) were collected for all District water systems according to DOH requirements. Regulated compounds were all below the MCLs.
Soluble Organic Chemicals (SOC) for the Judy Reservoir system is ongoing. All regulated compounds have been below the MCLs.
Giardia and Cryptosporidium testing began on a voluntary basis in 1993. No Cryptosporidium oocysts have been detected in the raw water or the finished water. One Giardia cyst was detected in the raw water sample in the third sample period. This raw water cyst could not be identified as a viable cyst by the testing laboratory. The District will continue testing for these protozoa on a voluntary quarterly basis until the IESRTR takes full effect. The District has complied with the grandfathered rule which has been accepted by DOH and EPA.
Asbestos in the Judy Reservoir water system does not appear to be a problem. In anticipation of the Information Collection Rule (ICR), the District tested for asbestos at three locations. The ICR requires one sample to be taken at the remote end of the system with maximum contact with existing asbestos cement piping. The District selected the Fir Island test site west of Conway as the required site. No asbestos fibers were detected at this location as well as the treated water leaving the treatment plant. A single asbestos fiber was detected in the Judy Reservoir (raw water) sample, carried out in April 1994.
The District purchased a spectrophotometer for determining UV 254 readings. The District has also been tracking total organic carbon levels since 1994. Haloacetic Acid (HAA) and maximum HAA levels have been documented at the treatment facility and at the Fir Island remote site. Testing for other disinfection by-products will be scheduled for the future as testing laboratories become certified to perform these compounds. The District plans on exceeding the minimum requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
Bacteriological sampling is an ongoing program. Records indicate that the distribution system provides water free from bacteria to all systems.
Chlorine residual levels within the distribution system have been monitored on a weekly basis at eighteen select sights within the distribution system. Additional monthly samples are collected. Records indicate that a measurable chlorine residual is easily maintained throughout the majority of the distribution system throughout the year. The District has been granted a waiver by DOH to verify daily chlorine levels at the time bacteriological samples are drawn, even though weekends and other days go without chlorine testing. In addition to this routine monitoring system, temperature and pH levels are also monitored from throughout the distribution system each month. The District’s water quality technician utilizes a laboratory-quality pH monitor in her service vehicle to assure accurate and useful readings. Routine calibration of the pH monitor takes place at the water treatment plant.
8-143 The Rockport and Cedargrove water systems both produced satisfactory test results during all rounds of testing
Aside from bacteriological testing and lead/copper testing, very few additional tests are conducted for the Fidalgo Island water system. The City of Anacortes provides the District with source water for this water system. City test results are provided to the District from the Anacortes Water Treatment Plant on a regular basis. The first round of lead/copper testing was completed in November, 1994, and results were below the action levels for lead and copper. Test results indicate that the corrosiveness of the City of Anacortes water is not an issue. The District will be investigating the likelihood of combined testing with the City, who has been permitted to reduce the number of lead and copper tests due to the excellent test results from their first and second round of testing.
8.3.3 Operator Certification The Table below indicates the required certification levels, and those certified operators and managers who are operating these systems. Distn Distn Cert WTP WTP Cert WTP System WS ID# Contact Requirement Operator Level Operator ID# Requirement Operator Level Operator ID# Position Judy 79500E Peterka WDM 4 Spangler WDM4 10183 WTPO 4 Hamilton WTPO4 2794 primary WTPO 3 Esser, Jr WTPO4 4988 shift WTPO 3 Weaver WTPO4 949 shift Fidalgo 00932Y Peterka WDM 2 Fox WDM2 8234 N/A NR NA NA Cedar Grove 119174 Peterka WDM 1 Bos WDM2 8444 N/A NR NA NA Rockport 736006 Peterka WDS Bos WDM2 8444 N/A NR NA NA Mountain View 03744Y Peterka N/A Fox WDM2 8234 N/A NR NA NA Alger 01400K Peterka WDS Fox WDM2 8234 N/A NR NA NA Potlatch 1 69034L Peterka WDM 1 Fox WDM2 8234 WTPO 2 Hamilton WTPO4 2794 Skagit View Village 968795 Peterka WDS Bos WDM2 8444 N/A NR NA NA Marblemount AA6423 Peterka WDS Bos WDM2 8444 N/A NR NA NA 8.3.4 Cross-Connection Control Program The District closely monitors its CCCP. The program is built within the structure and all elements of the WAC 246-290-490 and enhanced with the guidance of CCC Manual – PNWS- AWWA “Yellow Manual.” The District also has upgraded the program by requiring RPBA at most commercial and industrial installations of domestic water service. The District’s top priority is Severe Health Facilities, and also all Table 9 Facilities. Thus far the District has completed all medical centers and wastewater plants, and continues to work on all other Table 9 facilities.
Several engineering technicians and water construction inspector’s possess their CCS certification. This aids the Districts CCC Coordinator to effectively administer the program. The District electronically tracks and sends notices and reminders to test all backflow devices at least annually and hard copies of tests are kept for five years. Inspections occur on a regular basis of severe health facilities, high health, fire systems and irrigation. BAT Contractors are closely monitored to update their certifications and gauge calibration report. The ASR is sent to DOH each year.
Over the past two years the District has experienced a high level of mobility in the position of Cross Connection Control Coordinator (CCCC). Within the past month the District has recently acquired a new CCCC who has identified additional ways of augmenting the current Cross Connection Control program.
8-144
The backflow prevention software (Tokay) used by the District is a high quality program. It has numerous features that allow data to be stored, tracked and retrieved for proper application of Cross Connection Control program. However, several problem areas have been identified within the program (most likely due to the transient sate of the personnel in the CCCC). The District’s goal is to clean up the existing data and insure consistent and proper data input from this point forward. It is the intention of the District to collaborate with City and County planning, building and permitting departments in order to insert the District’s new water service requirements and procedures at the beginning of the permitting process. It is believed that early involvement in the permit process will allow the CCCC to properly evaluate any real or possible cross connections.
It is the intention of the CCCC to employ, in the next six years, at least one full time inspector dedicated to survey new and existing services for real or possible cross connections and properly functioning backflow prevention. This additionally assists in the goal of identifying 100% of Table 9 hazards.
8.4 Emergency Response The following is a brief overview of the District’s procedures in response to various emergencies. This overview is not intended to be used as guidance during an actual emergency. A more detailed description of points of contact, duties and procedures can be found in the District’s Emergency Response Plan, under separate cover. In general, any form of emergency will involve the General Manager directing staff, with contacts to be made to 911 and state and local health departments. Other contacts will be made as appropriate to the type of emergency.
8.4.1 General Every emergency situation provides some potential for hazard to District employees. All District employees are cautioned to remain alert to potential hazards, especially in emergency situations. District employees are trained in emergency first aid and CPR; safety is stressed as the District’s NUMBER ONE priority at monthly all-hands safety meetings. Staff and operations personnel participate in scheduled “system exercises” at least annually, maintaining familiarity with system control and training new personnel.
8.4.2 Command, Control and Communication
8.4.2.1 Command During an emergency, the direct operational control of each District work unit shall remain the same as during normal working conditions, unless directed otherwise. In the absence of a supervisor and direct orders to the contrary, the ranking employee will take charge.
Overall management of the District will be in the following order of succession:
8-145 Title Name General Manager Dave Johnson Assistant General Manager Mark Fredlund Engineering Manager Greg Peterka Construction / Maintenance / Operations Manager Brad Spangler WTP Superintendent Greg Hamilton
8.4.2.2 Control Optimally, the District will establish 2 separate Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs). The primary EOC will be located at the District main facility in Mount Vernon, assuming the facility is fully functional. The alternate EOC will be located at the Judy Reservoir WTP, east of Clear Lake. Each EOC will be equipped with radio and telephone communication assets to allow direction of the District’s work units during the emergency.
EOC Composition The primary and alternate EOCs will be placed on ALERT status under the following conditions: Declaration of a pre-emergency flood condition Receipt of a flood watch announcement from the National Weather Service As directed by the General Manager In an ALERT status, all EOC and field equipment will be prepared for an emergency but personnel will not be on duty in the EOC.
The primary and alternate EOCs will be placed on ACTIVE status under the following conditions: Declaration of a flood emergency Receipt of a flood warning announcement from the National Weather Service Occurrence of a severe earthquake As directed by the General Manager
In an ACTIVE status, two or more persons will be on duty in the primary EOC and one person in the alternate EOC, and Support Groups will be on duty as required.
The General Manager or his/her designee will establish a work schedule for the EOCs, and may place certain staff members on standby and/or send certain staff members home during the normal working day for after-hours return and staffing of the EOCs. Staff will be reimbursed for all such and similar duties performed during emergency operations. Reimbursement for work performed during emergency operations will be per adopted District procedures as authorized by the General Manager.
Support Group Composition
8-146 Support Groups will operate primarily in the field. Support Groups will include, but are not limited to, an Earthquake Inspection Team, a Field Patrol Team, and District Water Controllers.
General EOC Activities The EOC in control shall monitor the status of all District facilities and the available facilities of other agencies including, but not limited to, rain, streamflow, reservoir level, wind, and evaporation gauges, meters, piezometers, seismographs and radar, as required. Monitoring shall be sufficient to provide basis for decisions during emergency operations and to ensure accurate data is obtained during the emergency. Monitoring should include the use of telemetry equipment that enables the user to receive data over the telephone and/or through the computer at either EOC.
Sufficient and concise records shall be kept to provide continuity between staff members assigned on a rotational basis to each EOC. Records should be kept readily available and displayed when appropriate so members of the duty EOC personnel have access to the most current information.
8.4.2.3 Communication District Operations District personnel shall conduct District operations on the District normal operating radio network (48.060 MHz) and through the use of cellular telephones. Normal telephone operations may be limited or interrupted during emergency operations and should not be relied upon as a definite communication asset.
Public Information The District’s Special Projects Coordinator is the Public Information Officer (PIO), and shall be the principal point of contact for all media releases. The District must release reliable and timely information. City and County emergency service offices must also be kept abreast of the emergency information disseminated under this Plan. The following news media is available in the District’s service areas for emergency information: Newspapers Anacortes American Courier Times Skagit Argus Skagit Valley Herald
Television KCPQ Seattle (Ch 13) KING Seattle (Ch 5) KIRO Seattle (Ch 7) KOMO Seattle (Ch 4) KSTW Tacoma/Seattle (Ch 11) KVOS Bellingham (Ch 12)
8-147 Radio Stations KAPS Mount Vernon (AM 660) KBRC Mount Vernon (AM 1430) KISM Bellingham (FM 92.9) KLKI Anacortes (AM 1340) KSVR Mount Vernon (FM 90.1)
8.4.3 Emergency Preparation and Response The District’s water service and facilities may be disrupted at any time by natural and man-made disasters. Floods, droughts, earthquakes, electrical storms, power outages, volcanic or nuclear activity, material fatigue, human error and sabotage can each constitute or contribute to an emergency situation. The following specific conditions can result from one or a combination of these factors.
8.4.3.1 Water Supply Shortage (Please see section 3.6.1 for a discussion of measures to be used based off instream flow levels).
Preparation: Public education is the key to survival in a water shortage scenario. School and media programs will stress the importance of conservation (water use efficiency) as an everyday activity and interact with audiences to present various water use reductions possible for the various levels of water shortage response. The District will also prepare leaflets that can be distributed to customers at the time an emergency arises. The District has also established a good working relationship with the City of Anacortes and has standard procedures for activating their interties.
Response: Response to a water shortage will be based on the level of emergency. The goal is to optimize the use of a limited supply of potable water while maintaining public health and safety. Enforcement will be coordinated between the District and local City and County governments. Interties with the City of Anacortes water system will be activated to the maximum extent possible, given the regional extent of the shortage.
a. Normal water supply status will allow the District’s customers to enjoy their everyday level of service and water rates.
b. First Level Water Use Reduction: Domestic and public customers will be requested to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 10 percent for that time of year. Commercial and irrigation customers will be required to reduce their consumption in accordance with their respective contracts, but by not less than 25 percent of their average consumption for that time of year. Water rates will remain unchanged.
8-148 c. Second Level Water Use Reduction: Domestic and public customers will be required to eliminate discretionary water use (lawn watering, outdoor water- related cleaning activities, etc.) to reduce their water consumption by at least 15 percent for that time of year. Commercial and irrigation customers will be required to reduce their consumption in accordance with their respective contracts, but by not less than 50 percent of their average consumption for that time of year. Water rates will be uniform for all customers at the standard first block rate.
d. Emergency Level Water Use: Domestic and public customers will be required to eliminate all unnecessary water use. Commercial and irrigation customers will be required to reduce their consumption in accordance with their respective contracts. Water rates may be increased to a summer surcharge rate (up to 50 percent above the standard first block rate).
8.4.3.2 Transmission or Distribution Main Break Preparation: The majority of the District’s transmission lines are of concrete cylinder pipe; the remainder are of ductile iron. The District’s distribution lines range from 3⁄4-inch through 16-inch nominal diameter pipelines; materials include various plastics, AC, steel and iron. The District keeps parts on hand for repairing leaks and catastrophic failure of 16, 18, 20, 24 and 30-inch concrete cylinder pipe, plus repair bands for 16, 18 and 24-inch ductile iron transmission lines and the full span of distribution lines.
Response: At the direction of the Operations Superintendent or his/her designee: 1. Identify the section(s) of leaking or failed pipeline; 2. Mobilize a repair crew to respond to the scene with materials for the most probable repair; 3. Isolate the leak/failure (shut down slowly to minimize surge pressure/water hammer); 4. Set up necessary barriers to prevent erosion, siltation and added water flow from damaging or harassing any fish / wildlife habitat or private property; 5. Notify any critical customers that will be affected by the shutdown (hospitals, kidney dialysis patients, major commercial customers, etc.); 6. Excavate as necessary and repair the leak/failure. Transmission and major distribution line failures may require temporary repairs and subsequent shutdowns for permanent repairs. Identify the cause of the leak/failure; permanent repair shall be made to mitigate future leak/failure recurrence; 7. Upon completion of the repair, flush the system to a non-environmentally sensitive area, neutralizing any chlorinous compounds to prevent damage or harassment of fish / wildlife; 8. Clean up in a manner that continues to protect the area / environment from latent effects of the construction.
8-149 8.4.3.3 Pump Station Failure Preparation: District Engineering and Operations staff will review all pump stations and ensure each station is fitted with either a power supply transfer switch or plumbing fittings to allow either an emergency generator or an external mobile booster pump to support the failed pump station.
Response: Pump station failure may be deduced by any number of methods, including customer pressure complaints, routine visits to storage facilities or pump stations, or telemetry alarms. District Operations personnel will evaluate the cause of failure (lack of power, pump failure, etc.) and respond accordingly to ensure upstream pressures are maintained. The solution may be as simple as resetting controls, may involve the use of temporary emergency power, or may require replacement of portions of or the complete booster pump itself.
8.4.3.4 Water Treatment Plant Chemical Overdose Preparation: The WTP Superintendent and Operators are responsible for routine checks and controls of the Judy Reservoir WTP; District Operations personnel are responsible for the routine operation of treatment systems for all District satellite water systems. These personnel are responsible for checking, maintaining and repairing the respective chemical metering and control systems.
Response: The WTP and Operations Superintendents control the response to any chemical overdoses at the Judy Reservoir WTP and satellite water systems, respectively. Response procedures to specific overdose incidents will depend on the nature and quantity of the overdose, and may include neutralization, dilution, system flushing, or any combination thereof. Public health and safety, followed closely by environmental impacts, shall be the primary consideration.
8.4.3.5 Hazardous Material Spill Preparation: The District has identified all hazardous materials it has in stock at the District’s main facility in Mount Vernon and at the Judy Reservoir WTP, and it maintains Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) on site for the substances at each location. WTP and Operations personnel are aware of the nature of all such substances. The only reportable quantities of hazardous materials are kept at the WTP. WTP Operations personnel are trained in the response to spills of the hazardous materials maintained on site. The District is in full compliance with SARA3 requirements.
Hazardous materials off-site are addressed in the Cultus Mountain Watershed Control Program and the Well Head Protection Plans for the various groundwater wells. Offiste spills are normally reported to local fire authorities, who respond to the spill and in turn notify the respective Emergency Management authority. All water sources are located outside UGAs and are therefore rural, so would be in the area addressed by Skagit County Emergency Management. The District has a good history of working with Skagit
8-150 County EM on various issues, and they notify the District of known spills in a timely manner.
Response: The WTP Superintendent controls the response to any District hazardous material spills at the Judy Reservoir WTP and the Construction Superintendent controls the response to any District hazardous material spills elsewhere in the District’s service area. Response procedures to specific overdose incidents will depend on the nature and quantity of the overdose, and may include recovery, neutralization, dilution, or any combination thereof. The local fire department or fire district will be notified of spills of reportable quantities of hazardous materials. Public health and safety, followed closely by environmental impacts, shall be the primary consideration. If a spill jeopardizes a water source, the source may be shut down for the limited period that the spill could impair water quality. During such limited periods of shutdown, the District’s water systems can generally get by on standby storage, as all systems (except Mountain View, a Group B) have adequate standby storage for 4 average days of water use. The Mountain View well is deep within a well-confined aquifer and the potential of its groundwater being contaminated from a surface spill is extremely remote.
8.4.3.6 Computer System Failure Preparation: The District has identified various scenarios for PC and mini-mainframe failures, as well as identified personnel responsibilities for mitigating further damage and replacing systems, in its Information Systems Department Disaster Recovery Plan. Back- up disks and tapes are made regularly on each District computer system as scheduled and stored off-site from each system to minimize the potential for data loss.
Response: Execute the plans identified in the District’s Information Systems Department Disaster Recovery Plan, under separate cover.
8.4.3.7 Flood at District Headquarters Building, Mount Vernon Preparation: When FLOOD WATCH is announced, the District will brief all its personnel on flood response procedures and ensure all wheeled equipment is roadworthy. Determine which employees live within the projected flood zones and which will be available for emergency duty.
When FLOOD WARNING is announced, the floodwaters may be from 4-1/2 hours away (for a complete failure of Baker Dam) to 12 hours away (for flooding heading to the Skagit Valley from Concrete). The District will: execute floodproofing of the District’s Headquarters Facility (window batter boards, elevate computer and other moisture-sensitive equipment, elevate original legal copies of financial, business and personnel documents, etc.) and move wheeled equipment to higher ground. consider dividing the District’s employees equipment and personnel into two teams, one for each side of the Skagit River (to avoid traffic congestion and/or load restrictions at bridges).
8-151 require labor employees who have not had a tetanus shot in the last 3 years to get one. check Judy Reservoir drainage status and monitor all Cultus Mountain stream culverts (Gilligan, Salmon, Janicki, Turner and Mundt Creeks) for soundness. Provide proper tools for trash rack cleaning. check the Skagit River Diversion for damage.
Response: If the District Headquarters Building floods, many other areas in Skagit County will likely also be flooded. District employees will be responsible for maintaining water service to its customers and ensuring system integrity. The EOC in control will transfer to the alternate EOC at the Judy Reservoir WTP.
8.4.3.8 Bomb Threat Preparation: The primary consideration in bomb threat situations shall be to protect District employees and visitors against injury. Protection of physical property will be considered only after the affected facility is evacuated. Bomb threats may arise through discovery of suspected bombs or telephone/written threats received by receptionists or other staff. In any event, the receptionist is the person to notify law enforcement agencies and signal the emergency to key staff.
Response: The person receiving a telephone bomb threat will remain calm and make note of the caller’s voice (age, gender, accent), exact wording used, exact time of call and any background noises. The receiver will also try to find out from the caller the location, appearance, type and reason for the bomb and when it is set to explode. The receiver will then immediately notify the receptionist and his/her own supervisor of the situation. Written threats shall be handled similarly. If the suspected bomb is located, DO NOT TOUCH IT. For a bomb threat at the District headquarters facility, evacuate all personnel a minimum of 300 feet from the facility to a designated area and wait for the arrival of law enforcement officers. For a bomb threat at any of the District’s field facilities (reservoirs, pipelines, booster stations, meter vaults, etc.), a District employee familiar with the area will accompany law enforcement officials to the site and serve as a source of information; the District employee shall not participate in the search for, removal of or disarming of any bomb. Written bomb threats shall be treated as real and responded to using the same process as telephone threats.
8.4.3.9 Water Source Contamination Preparation: Water source contamination shall be considered an emergency if it is considered by the District Water Controllers to be an immediate risk to public health and safety. Contamination may occur naturally, or may be introduced by commercial, agricultural or other domestic interests or by saboteurs. Contamination may be discovered by District testing, customer complaints, anonymous tips, or admission of a saboteur.
8-152 Response: The District Water Controllers control the response to any contamination of surface water leading to Judy Reservoir and groundwater elsewhere in the District’s service areas. The contamination could be either short-term or long-term. Response procedures to specific incidents will depend on the nature and quantity of the contamination, and may include chemical treatment, filtration, or any combination thereof; District customers may be asked to stop consumption of District water if directed by the District Water Controllers. Public health and safety, followed closely by environmental impacts, shall be the primary consideration. Any specific surface source found to be the source of contamination should be bypassed and not diverted to Judy Reservoir.
8.5 System Vulnerability The District operates and maintains its water systems in a totally reliable and professional manner. The systems are no longer considered to be vulnerable due to any operations or maintenance activities or inactivities due to the preventive maintenance implemented as a result of this Plan (see also Section 4.6, Summary of Deficiencies). Physical system vulnerabilities that have been identified are due to changes in codes and installation practices since specific facilities and infrastructure were installed. However, mechanical and electrical equipment, no matter how well maintained, are still subject to failure; operator diligence is paramount to the success and safety of operations.
8-153 9 Financial Program
9.1 General The District operates several public water systems and has historically maintained a uniform schedule of rates for all of them, not differentiating based on geographic location. The District periodically reviews and adopts rates necessary to meet the systems’ overall revenue requirements. These requirements include the general administration of the systems, operation and maintenance costs, and new/replacement water plant and facilities necessary to operate the systems, maintain them in good condition, and meet present and projected customer water demands.
HDR prepared a water rate study for the District in 2005, coordinated with the projections of the 2001 Comprehensive Water System Plan. The District adopted a new rate methodology and structure based on the study. The District confirmed the rate- setting process and escalated its rates based on a six-year schedule, tied to the Capital Improvement Program. This section briefly summarizes the analyses, findings and recommendations of the study and recent confirmations, and provides projections for water rates through 2020 based on the projected customer demands from Section 3, Basic Planning Data.
This Section of this Plan is intended to provide a basis for future financial planning for the District. Any water rate adjustments must consider actual financial conditions and requirements in greater detail than will be presented here.
9.2 Existing Revenue
9.2.1 Revenue from Water Rates Prior to the 1992 rate structure revision, the District’s rates were based on a declining block scale. The District calculated that single and/or elderly customers on a fixed income use approximately 300 cubic feet (cf) of water per month; these previous rate structures had therefore offered the first 300 cf of water “free” every month to residential customers for the minimum charge (based on meter size). This first 300 cf was considered by the District to be “survival water”. Water over 2,000 cf was available at a lower unit cost as it was relatively inexpensive to produce. The 1992 EES water rate study found, however, that these earlier rate structures were not the most equitable method of recovering costs. EES recommended that a “cost of service analysis” be used to equitably distribute the District’s costs to the various customer classes. The District agreed. The EES rate structure proposed separated the meter charge from the water consumption charge and flattened the declining block structure severely. It still, however, offered a reduced rate for “survival water” for single family residential services.
9-154 WATER RATES 1986 Rate 1992 Rate Nov 99 Rate 2007 Rate Monthly Charge Min. ccf No Min. ccf Incl No Min. ccf Incl No Min. ccf Incl. Incl Meter Size: 5/8 or 3/4 3 $8.15/mo $8.00/mo $11.97 $15.45 1 11 16.85 13.35 20.60 25.80 1-1/2 21 28.40 26.65 39.80 51.40 2 35 40.85 42.65 63.63 82.15 3 81 79.85 80.00 119.33 154.00 4 168 133.00 133.35 198.82 256.50 6 410 266.05 266.65 397.53 512.95 8 797 479.00 426.65 635.93 820.60
Consumption Charge 0-300 cf $0.00/ccf $1.35/ccf $2.08/ccf $2.65/ccf 301-2,000 cf 1.15 1.35 2.08 2.65 2,001-10,000 cf 0.85 1.35 2.02 1.57 10,001 cf or more 0.55 0.8 1.21 1.57 Table 9-1
The operating results of the District for the four years preceding this Plan are as follows:
INCOME STATEMENT 2003 2004 2005 2006 Operating Revenues $10,514,794 10,920,790 11,020,962 12,030,201 Operating Expenses - 8,413,119 9,065,629 9,351,717 9,945,641 (Including Deprec. & Taxes) Net Operating Revenue $2,101,675 $1,855,161 $1,669,245 2,084,560 Other Income/(Deductions) + 485,543 449,913 1,141,158 1,669,044
Balance for Debt Service $2,587,218 $2,305,074 $2,810,403 3,753,604 Debt Service Interest - 711,849 589,903 515,565 535,010
Subtotal $1,875,369 $1,715,171 $2,294,838 3,218,594
Extraordinary Deductions - 0 0 0 0
Net Income $1,875,369 $1,715,171 $2,294,838 3,218,594
Table 9-2
9-155 9.2.2 Revenue from General Facilities Charges In addition to revenue from water rates, the District also receives revenue from new customers through general facilities charges, also referred to by the District as System Development Fees (SDF’s). The District overhauled it SDF structure in 1999 with its revenue structure, now charging meters 2-inch and larger, and any meter on a contract, based on its actual annual use. Meters that show a higher annual use than the customer paid for may be charged an added fee for their added annual use. Table 9-3 below lists the current incremental SDFs for various meter sizes. The SDF revenue is available only for capital improvements to source of supply, transmission, distribution, and storage plant which benefits large areas of the District and only with the authorization of the District’s Commission. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT FEES FOR 2007
Meter Size Incremental SDF * 5/8 $2,350 3/4 3,525 15,875 1-1/2 11,750 2 18800* 3 37600* 4 58750* 6 117500* 8 188000* Satellite Systems General Plant portion of SDF * Per increment Table 9-3
9.3 Cost of Improvements As outlined in Section 5, Improvement Program, the District maintains a goal of replacing 2 percent of its pipeline infrastructure per year. This allows a 50-year life span for all pipeline infrastructure. Other water plant and facilities, such as pump and pressure reducing stations and storage reservoirs, are scheduled for upgrades and replacement based on their ability to function safely and meet their local capacity requirements. This 2 percent replacement goal and other required improvements are balanced against the capital work budget to produce a list of capital improvements for each year.
9.4 Annual Operation and Maintenance Expenses The District’s annual operations and maintenance expenses are distributed as identified in Table 9-4 below, based on the District’s 2006 budget.
9-156
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
Supply 7.00% Treatment & Pumping 13.20% Transmission & Distribution 13.90% Commercial 7.90% General, Administrative and Engineering 26.10%
Depreciation 31.90% Table 9-4
9.5 Projected Revenue Requirements The District works to maintain a balance of at least 2.4 million dollars balance in the revenue fund at the end of each year. System revenue using existing rates (shown in Table 9-5 below) was projected for the six year planning period required for this Plan, through the year 2012, based on the low population forecast, as explained in Section 3.
SCHEDULED WATER RATES
SCHEDULED WATER RATES 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 County Population 113,100 115,362 117,669 120,023 122,423 124,872 127,369
District Population 65,000 66,300 67,626 68,979 70,358 71,765 73,201
District Services 22,400 22,848 23,305 23,771 24,246 24,731 25,226
Basic Charge: 5/8” (unit meter) $14.65 $15.45 $16.40 $16.97 $17.57 $18.18 $18.82
Consumption Charge: 0-300 cf (res. only) $1.77 $1.79 $1.81 $1.87 $1.94 $2.01 $2.08 0-300 cf 2.49 2.65 2.84 2.94 3.04 3.15 3.26 301-10,000 cf 2.48 2.65 2.84 2.94 3.04 3.15 3.26 10,001 cf or more 1.49 1.57 1.66 1.72 1.78 1.84 1.90
Table 9-5
This was compared to projected expenses based on current debt and proportional increases in operating costs. The results, shown in Table 9-6, indicate the District will have sufficient revenues from the existing rate structure to maintain its 2.4 million dollar balance of working capital for administration, operations, maintenance, and improvements as indicated in Section 5.
9-157
PROJECTED REVENUE AND EXPENSES BASED ON 2000-2006 RATE STRUCTURE 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Operating Revenues Residential $8,588 8,583 9,237 9,692 10,169 10,670 11,196 Commercial 2,270 2,273 2,529 2,656 2,788 2,927 3,073 Industrial 0000000 Farms 353 360 379 392 406 420 435 Municipal 345 342 372 388 407 427 449 Resale 66 65 70 72 75 78 80 Irrigation 348 320 365 383 397 411 425 Fire Services+ 60576567697274 OVERALL $12,030 $12,000 $13,017 $13,650 $14,311 $15,005 15,732
Operating Expenses - $9,324 10,303 10,285 10,661 11,050 11,455 11,872 (Incl. Depreciation) Taxes - 622 595 646 668 692 715 741 Net Operating $2,084 $1,102 $2,086 $2,321 $2,569 $2,835 3,119 Revenue
Other Income + $1,925 1016 915 920 920 920 920 Balance for Debt $4,009 2,118 3,001 3,241 3,489 3,755 4,039 Service
Other Deductions - 791 545 758 760 760 760 760 Net Income $3,218 1,573 2,243 2,481 2,729 2,995 3,279
Revenue Balance $4,742 8,331 6,774 6,895 7,321 7,533 8,008 Brought Forward Depreciation 2,972 3,025 3,100 3,224 3,353 3,487 3,627 Cust. Contributions + 1,819 1,615 1,865 1,921 1,979 2,037 2,161 Debt Service - 2,312 2,410 2,807 3,801 4,418 4,500 4,604 Transfers Capital Outlays - 2,108 5,360 4,280 3,399 3,431 3,544 3,657 Balance at End of $8,331 $6,774 $6,895 $7,321 $7,533 $8,008 8,814 Year
Debt Service 3.46 2.58 2.57 2.01 1.82 1.89 1.97 Coverage
9-158
9.6 Water Rate Adjustments Assuming the expense requirements as indicated in Table 9-6 are accurate, water rate adjustments should continue based on 1-1/2 percent growth and 3 percent cost escalation, to include year 2006. The District has the expertise in-house to evaluate expenses versus revenues and recommend rate adjustments, or they may opt to hire a qualified consultant.
9.7 Revenue Plan The administration, operations and capital improvements of the District are funded by water revenues from the District’s customers, augmented by SDF’s paid for system expansion and occasional grants from outside agencies. Based on service growth projections from Table 9-5, the District projects the total annual revenues for the financial planning period through 20012 as indicated in Table 9-7.
Projected Revenues ($000's) 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Water Rate 5.50% 5.50% 6.00% 3.50% 3.50% 3.50% 3.00% Increases Water Rate $12,030 12,000 13,017 13,650 14,311 15,005 15,732 Revenues:
Net Income: $3,218 1573 2,243 2,481 2,729 2,995 3,279
End-of-Year $8,331 6,774 6,895 7,321 7,533 8,008 8,874 Revenue Balance:
Debt Service 3.46 2.58 2.57 2.01 1.82 1.89 1.97 Coverage:
SDF $1,819 1615 1865 1921 1979 2037 2161 Contributions
Table 9-7
9-159 10 Satellite System Program
10.1 Authority Public Utility District No. 1 of Skagit County (District) functions as the primary Satellite Management Agency (SMA) for Skagit County per the CWSP. The District provides satellite service inside Skagit County (and outside the County in limited cases) to all areas not already designated as the service area of another State-approved water utility. The District’s goal as SMA is to maximize water availability and maintain satisfactory water quality, as well as to assist other public water systems (water systems serving 2 or more service connections) with technical and administrative tasks. The District runs a Satellite System Program, operating both large and small District-owned systems, assisting troubled and failing water systems, and providing other water systems by contract with various services. By operating more than one water system, economies of scale make it possible for the District to employ qualified personnel, provide good system management and operation, and meet the stringent standards required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The regulations and liability associated with providing adequate water service are becoming too complex, restrictive and expensive for many communities, homeowner associations and individually-owned utilities. Small public water systems are often unwilling or unable to develop and sustain the operating revenues that will finance needed capital improvements and operational/maintenance activities in a manner that is affordable to their customers, nor the Operating and Capital Cash Reserves required by the State to meet the test of financial viability. It is not the District’s intent to take over all small public water systems in Skagit County, but rather to support them in cooperation with the Skagit County Health Department (SCH). The District appreciates the pride many system owners display and believes they should continue service so long as their product meets drinking water quality standards and their physical water system meets DOH/SCH requirements.
This Satellite System Program is fashioned to allow some flexibility of service to water systems based on their viability. In addition, the District’s eligibility for State and federal funding assistance and its ability to issue bonds helps to assure reliable and high quality service at minimum cost for District-owned systems.
10.2 Satellite System Program Services The following outline of the District’s Satellite System Program provides current and potential customers with the philosophy, objectives and procedures associated with available services. A model contract for satellite management services is included in Appendix P.
The Satellite System Program provides four primary options of services for water systems:
10-160 a. Ownership Service: Ownership and operation of the remote water system by the District.
b. Management and Operation Service: Management and operation of the remote public water system by the District for the system owner, or
c. Contract Service: Delegation by the District of the system management and operation to the system owner or a third party; this option still requires the SMA to ensure that all functions of the system comply with applicable regulations.
d. Support Assistance: Support to existing viable systems for technical, professional or special services by the District.
Many water systems may be operating well and producing good quality water, but need help with monitoring or the cost of supplies; Support Assistance may be the best for them. Other water systems may not want to stay in operation or, because of inability to meet water quality requirements, may be forced by the courts to turn their system over to someone else; Ownership Service may be their best option. New systems may be served by Ownership, Management and Operation, or Contract Service by the District.
These options are designed to respond to the needs of differing water systems and to support a program of reliable water system operation throughout the County. Decisions on establishing a level of service will depend on CWSP Guidelines, direction from the County or State Health Departments, individual system needs, plans for improvement and growth pressures, as well as the ability of the District to provide the desired services in a cost-effective manner. Each situation will be carefully examined by the District with the Applicant interested in Satellite System service or support.
Existing systems that do not meet water quality standards would benefit the most from Ownership Service. The District may be required to assume specific regulatory liabilities for systems that transfer ownership; the interests of all District customers will be considered before any such transfer. The District will provide Ownership Service only for those systems that comply with its minimum water quality, construction and reliability standards. Systems initially failing to meet these standards must either be brought up to standards or pay the cash equivalent of such an upgrade prior to transfer of ownership, in accordance with this Satellite System Program policy. Different construction and reliability standards will be assigned to Group A and Group B systems as appropriate.
Systems requesting assistance must provide unrestricted access of system facilities to District staff. All system facilities must be on system-owned property or located on legal rights-of-way or easements.
Figure 10.1 indicates the procedures which the District uses in evaluating requests for either remote service (either Ownership, Management & Operation or Contract Service)
10-161 or Support Assistance. There are some common steps in each process regardless of which option is requested.
- Initial contact between the Applicant and the District: the Applicant can discuss needs of the water system and receive a copy of District policies and procedures pertaining to Applicant’s requests. The Applicant may contact the District on its own or by SCH or DOH referral.
- Applicant’s written request: this initiates the District’s formal evaluation of the system’s needs, capabilities and deficiencies. The Applicant’s request should include specific data and background information on the system using the Small System Survey forms in Exhibit H of this Plan.
- District procedures: The District will inform the Applicant of the procedures required for service or support, as indicated below.
The District’s Point of Contact for initiating SMA service is the Engineering Department, located at the District’s Mount Vernon office at 1415 Freeway Drive.
10-162 Figure 10.1
10-163
10.2.1 Ownership Service
10.2.1.1 Policy e. Applicants adjacent to or within another established public water system’s designated service area will be referred to that water system for Ownership service before the District will accept a request for Ownership service from the applicant (see Figure 10.1). If the adjacent water system denies the applicant service, the applicant may apply for Ownership service from the District.
f. Ownership Service can be provided for both Group A and Group B public water systems. The District will own and operate all new satellite Group A public water systems proposed within its satellite service area. The District will not typically own Group B public water systems. Instead: (1) the District will typically waive SMA service to all two (2) connection Group B public water systems; (2) the District will review potential for SMA management and operation (M&O) service to new Group B public water systems with more than two (2) connections. In general, the District will not provide M&O service to Group B water systems; and (3) unique exceptions will be considered on the recommendation of a governmental agency or the system owner.
g. The District considers a new system to be feasible based on the balance of its projected revenues to active service count, projected rate of growth to buildout, and operational requirements. An economic viability assessment will be performed on each system to be considered for ownership service. Ownership systems which are likely to be considered financially feasible include, but are not limited to: - those inside or within 1/2-mile of a UGA or rural village served by the District; or - those where a District water main is anticipated to be within 1⁄2-mile of the system within 20 years of the date the system begins operation. - In all cases, land use regulations shall govern the creation of new developments and determine the density therein.
h. Ownership Service requires transfer of ownership and operational responsibilities from either a new or existing water system to the District. The District shall assume complete responsibility for the water system following transfer.
10-164 i. The Applicant is subject to all District written policies and Resolutions, including but not limited to rates and fees, design and construction standards and line extension policies.
j. The Applicant is responsible for all costs of upgrade and transfer of system ownership to the District. The District will assist the Applicant in obtaining funding. The District will not make cash payments to acquire an existing or new system. Transfer of ownership will occur at no cost to the District.
k. Water systems that have been certified per WAC 246-290 as being designed and constructed in accordance with District, SCH and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) standards shall be considered “certified”; all other systems shall be considered “uncertified”. Certified and Uncertified systems shall follow the respective Review and Approval Procedures indicated below to implement the Ownership Service option. For Uncertified systems, this shall include survey and evaluation of the system and completion of all upgrades to minimum District standards prior to transfer of ownership to the District.
l. The District reserves the right to contract any or all of the survey and evaluation procedures and/or the final design of a water system to a professional other than the District who, in the mutual judgment of the District and SCH, is qualified.
10.2.1.2 Review and Approval Procedures a. Certified Existing Systems (1) Systems that are certified per WAC 246-290 to meet District, SCH and DOH standards for design and construction will not be subject to the survey, evaluation and upgrade process. (2) Systems that may desire Ownership Service by the District or connection to another District system at some future date should meet the following requirements during design and construction: Design and install the system per the District’s current urban design standards or rural design standards, as the District considers appropriate. See Section 4. Coordinate inspection of construction of the new system with the District. Prior to transfer of ownership to the District, have the system designer certify per RCW 248-54 that the system has been constructed per the approved design and that it meets District, SCH and DOH standards. (3) Transfer of water system ownership to the District shall follow the procedures outlined in the paragraph below.
10-165
b. Uncertified Existing Systems (1) For “uncertified” systems, a preliminary survey will be conducted by the District to establish the existing status of the water system. See Appendix H. The District may require a preliminary deposit prior to conducting the survey. The deposit will be applied toward the final cost of improvements tallied at the completion of work. If the Applicant withdraws the request for service for any reason at any time during the process, the District will retain a portion or all of the deposit to help cover costs. (2) Based on the data collected from this survey, the District will estimate the costs for required improvements and routine operation and maintenance (O&M). (3) A meeting or other appropriate method will be used to review the survey data and preliminary cost estimate with the Applicant. The Applicant may either withdraw the request for Ownership Service or continue the process by authorizing the District to prepare an engineering evaluation to more accurately determine the work and costs required to improve the system to and maintain the system at required standards. (4) The District engineering evaluation shall include a detailed analysis of the system’s operation, required capital improvements and projected O&M costs. It will also contain a preliminary financing plan for improvements based on: (a) Minimum improvements required to meet water quality, construction and reliability standards; (b) Required improvements to upgrade the system to District standards; (c) Additional improvements for storage, metering and fire flow (if not already required). (5) After review of the engineering evaluation with the Applicant, the Applicant may withdraw the request for Ownership Service or, with assistance from the District, pursue required improvements to the water system. Improvements required to meet minimum District standards, particularly those associated with water quality, safety and reliability, shall be completed prior to transfer of ownership. Less critical improvements may, at the District’s option, be deferred until normal repair or replacement occurs. (6) Improvement may be financed by the Applicant through rate surcharges, customer assessments, system development charges, and/or District-arranged financing. District-arranged financing may include State and/or federal grants, Local Utility District (LUD) bonds or other similar arrangements. (7) If necessary and found to be economically feasible, the District Commissioners may require the formation of an LUD in accordance with RCW 54. Once an LUD is formed and improvements completed, ownership of specified facilities, equipment and data shall be transferred to the District. (8) After completion of the improvements, the Applicant and the District shall pursue transfer of ownership. The District’s attorney will establish the appropriate authorization and legal instruments for the transfer of system ownership to the District. The items required for transfer or ownership may include, but are not limited to:
10-166
(a) Bill of Sale (b) Title Report and Property Deeds (c) Assignment of Easement and Franchises (d) New Easements, if required (e) Assignment of Water Rights (f) Authorization to Collect Rates and Fees (g) Hold Harmless Agreement (h) List of Owners, Customers and Service and Mailing Addresses (i) Maps, Records, Equipment Manuals and Data (j) Other information c. New Systems (1) Levels of Ownership Service. Service can be provided to a Satellite System through several scenarios, depending on whether the system will “stand alone” permanently or has potential for connecting to an existing District system (“temporary stand-alone”), and whether fire protection will be required for the development by the Fire Marshal in that jurisdiction. The District will own and operate the remote system in either case. (2) Permanent Stand-Alone System. A “permanent stand-alone system” is a remote system which is so far removed from another District system that there is no possibility of future connection/intertie. The permanent system shall be designed and built to meet or exceed District requirements as outlined in Figure 10.2 and “Ownership System Design Standards”, below. (3) Temporary Stand-Alone System. A “temporary stand-alone system” is a remote system which is more than 1/2-mile from a District water main that has the capacity to support the demand of the remote system but has a strong potential for hook-up within 20 years of the date the remote system starts operation. The system can be developed in one of two ways: - Completed to match current standards of the adjacent District system, allowing the eventual tie-in and integration into the adjacent District system without major modification of the remote system; or - Completed to minimum stand-alone standards with the written agreement of the developer that all or portions of the remote system will be upgraded to meet or exceed the standards of the adjacent District system at some future date prior to tie-in to the adjacent District system; selection of this option requires the developer to provide to the District the equivalent cash value of the intended future upgrade at the time the District accepts the system. The equivalent cash value shall be based on the District’s estimated cost of the upgrade; present worth is subject to negotiation between the developer and the District.
10-167 NOTE: Even though it will eventually be integrated into the adjacent District system, a Temporary Stand-Alone System must by definition be designed and constructed as a complete system to provide all the necessary service to its customers until such time as it is connected to the adjacent system. See “Ownership System Design Standards”, below.
(4) Ownership System Design Standards. Each Ownership System shall be designed by a Professional Engineer registered in the State of Washington and shall follow the sizing guidelines provided by the Washington State Department of Health. Each Ownership System shall be designed according to the District design standards, Appendix C of the Water Code. See also Figure 10.2.
Specific material and construction requirements and standard details are available in Section 4 and the District’s Water Code.
10-168 Figure 10.2
10-169
10.2.2 Management and Operation Service
10.2.2.1 Policy The District will not typically provide management and operation (M&O) service to a water system. In those cases when M&O service is provided, it will be under the terms of an SMA M&O service agreement. Each such “Satellite Service Agreement” will address: Detailed description of the area served and owners’ names, including a single point of contact regarding the Satellite Water System (SWS); Background leading to SWS formation and the District’s involvement; Terms, including: o construction/improvement and ownership of the water system by the SWS, per that system’s or per State and County Health Department standards, whichever is greater, at the cost of the SWS; o operation of the water system by the District (or a designated third party agreeable to both the SWS and the SMA, as delegated by the SMA) per State and County Health Department standards at the cost of the SWS; if operated by a third party, a compliance inspection of the water system by the SMA, at the cost of the SWS, to be performed at least annually; the SWS shall correct any deficiencies within a stated timeframe agreed between the SWS and SMA; the SMA shall correct any deficiencies not corrected in the timeframe specified and bill the SWS for such work; payment of charges by the SWS to the SMA for operation, scheduled inspections, administrative management, water quality sampling/testing, and/or all other work performed by the SMA; waiver of lien rights; method of recovering any delinquent SMA billings from SWS; and future expansion of the SWS. Hold harmless clause; Duration of the agreement (until the SWS is abandoned or connects to another District water system); Other factors deemed necessary; and Signatures of District and SWS representatives, notarized as required.
10.2.2.2 Rates and Charges Rates and charges for management and operation services shall be set as follows: For management and operation services, water rates and charges shall be subject to negotiation between the District and the SWS and ratification by the District Commission; Any compliance inspection fee shall be calculated and charged on a case by case basis to recover District labor and vehicle expenses; and Any fee for water quality testing shall be set by the General Manager on a case by case basis to recover the laboratory costs and District labor and vehicle expenses.
10-170 10.2.3 Contract Service
10.2.3.1 Policy The District may offer contract services to any water system to which the District has waived SMA service and/or does not have an SMA relationship. The District and such water system shall agree to scope of services and compensation by written contract prior to the District providing any contract services. The contract should include the same basic elements as indicated above for a Satellite Service Agreement.
10.2.3.2 Rates and Charges Rates and charges for contract services shall be set as follows: For contract services, water rates and charges shall be subject to negotiation between the District and the water system and ratification by the District Commission; Any compliance inspection fee shall be calculated and charged on a case by case basis to recover District labor and vehicle expenses; and Any fee for water quality testing shall be set by the General Manager on a case by case basis to recover the laboratory costs and District labor and vehicle expenses.
10.2.4 Support Assistance Service
10.2.4.1 Policy a. The Support Assistance program provides general assistance for improving water service within the District’s satellite service area. The intent of the program is to allow small water systems to remain independent and operate at reasonable expenditure levels. The District is willing to evaluate any form of assistance to help a water system improve its level of service. Primarily, the program is designed to support smaller water systems on a limited or non-recurring basis. b. “Limited” Support Assistance can include, but is not limited to: (1) Leadership and support to small utilities to ensure their views are considered in formulating local and state regulatory actions. (2) Opportunities for operator training and information system support; (3) Administration of programs for joint purchasing of equipment and supplies to achieve economies of scale (public agencies only); (4) Other information resources.
c. “Non-recurring” Support Assistance can include, but is not limited to: (1) Loan of equipment or supplies to a system to handle a special circumstance (public agencies only, except that the District may support a privately-owned utility in case(s) of emergency, in the interest of public health and safety);
10-171 (2) Providing engineering/or technical expertise to a system that lacks necessary staff for certain tasks (public agencies only); (3) Providing financial management/grant procurement assistance.
10.2.4.2 Review and Approval Procedures a. The Applicant shall first establish the utility’s eligibility for support and the scope of the service(s) desired.
b. The District shall provide an estimate of cost(s) for the service(s) requested.
c. The District and the Applicant shall execute a written agreement or formal contract that specifies the exact responsibilities (staffing, equipment, supplies, etc.) and charges for the service(s) that the District will provide. This process will be expedited in case(s) of emergency.
10-172 Appendix A – Water Facility Inventories
A
Appendix B – CWSP Water Service Area Agreement
B Appendix C – Joint Operating Agreement with City of Anacortes
C
Appendix D – District Water Code
D Appendix E – Land Use Maps
E Appendix F – Consistency Determinations
F Appendix G – Water Rights
G Appendix H – Emergency Response Plan
H Appendix I – Physical Capacity Analyses
I Appendix J – Watershed Control Plans – and Wellhead Protection Plans
J Appendix K – Consumer Confidence Reports
K Appendix L – SEPA Determination
L Appendix M – Water Quality Testing
M Appendix N – Sanitary Surveys
N Appendix O – Conservation Materials
O Appendix P – Standard Agreements for Service
P