USDA Loan Funded Projects

These projects are funded through our USDA Construction Loan. At present, these projects are planned to be completed from 2025-2027.

Distribution System Pipe Replacements

Starting in late 2025, we will be replacing a significant portion of our distribution pipe network to improve our fire suppression water facilities and increase the overall reliability of our water system. The pipe replacement project will upsize several portions of the system to enhance fire flow capacity throughout much of our system.

Additional details about this and other USDA-funded improvement projects are provided below:

USDA-Funded Projects Overview

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  • Replace 6-inch steel line on 115th/238th and hook up existing 8-inch main on 115th and 6-inch main on Bayview Dr
    • Steel main trunk line on 115th and 238th is at end of life and showing its age; will be replaced with 8-inch PVC to provide fire flow capacity potential for full system
    • An 8-inch PVC line was installed along a part of 115th but never put into service; similarly, a 6-inch PVC line was installed along Bayview Dr (to Camp Burton) but not all connections were switched over to it.
    • These are both operational risk reduction and fire flow improvement projects on the main trunk line.
  • Replace 6-inch asbestos cement (AC) line
    • The AC main trunk line is nearing the end of its typical useful life and is undersized to provide adequate fire flow. There is an upper segment (along 238th) and a lower segment (along Burton Drive). This project will replace both segments.
    • This project is both an operational risk reduction and fire flow improvement project on the main trunk line.
  • Create 6-inch PVC loop from 107th to Vashon Highway
    • The currently 6-inch and smaller diameter dead-end runs on 107th and north end of Vashon Highway are undersized for adequate fire flow. This project will connect those two dead-ends with new pipe along 228th with 6-inch PVC, creating a new loop which will improve fire flow capacity and also improve water quality (i.e., reduce stagnation in the dead-end runs).
    • This project is both an operational risk reduction and fire flow improvement project.
  • Complete 6-inch PVC loop around Burton Peninsula
    • The current main line around the peninsula loop includes multiple small diameter (1.5- to 2-inch) PVC segments, which are undersized for adequate fire flow. This project will replace those small diameter segments on the loop with 6-inch PVC, creating better flow capacity.
    • This project is primarily a fire flow improvement project.
  • Replace small-diameter galvanized iron and other pipe on Tillicum Lane and 227th with 8-inch PVC
    • Galvanized iron experiences reduced flow capacity and also begins to leak frequently with age. This section of old galvanized pipe is beyond its expected useful life and is a risk for ongoing maintenance. This project will replace this old pipe and other small-diameter nearby pipe with 8-inch PVC, improving flow conditions.
    • This project is both an operational risk reduction and fire flow improvement project.
  • Install additional fire hydrants on all improved fire flow lines to meet King County fire code standards

Co-op Funded Projects

These projects are funded directly by the Co-op, through Connection and Capital Improvement Charges, and any excess operating revenue.

Chlorination System Upgrade

The chlorination delivery system will be modernized to current regulatory standards to achieve adequate contact time for efficient disinfection.

System Pressure Improvements

Currently, the upper elevation portion of the system (generally west of 107th Ave) is under deficient pressure because of the current gravity-flow nature of the system. This project will add a booster pump at the well source area and re-plumb the large storage tank on 232nd St to provide for system pressure of at least 30 psi (pounds per square inch) in the upper portion of the system to meet current King County standards. Pressure reducing valves will be added to the main lines as they descend the Burton hill to keep the pressure in the lower elevation part of the system from being excessive. This project will be completed only after the old steel and asbestos cement main trunk lines in the upper part of the system (which have never been subjected to increased pressures) have been replaced.

Additional details about these and other Co-op-funded improvement projects are provided below:

Co-op-Funded Projects Overview

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  • Chlorination system upgrades and North Tank re-roofing
    • The chlorination system requires an update to meet current WDOH disinfection requirements, which will involve replumbing the two rectangular tanks at the wellfield into series and adding baffles to increase chlorine contact time. At the same time, one of those tanks needs a roof replacement. This is a high-priority project for the operator.
    • This project is a regulatory requirement and will also reduce operational risk. It is scheduled for 2025.
  • >30 psi solution for all customers – booster pump and pressure-reducing valve(s)
    • The upper part of the system (the connections on 107th Ave and west) currently requires booster pumps to provide adequate pressure because this area is close in elevation to the source tanks (i.e., not enough hydraulic head). The 107th Ave connections have one centralized booster pump. Other connections have individual booster pumps, which is out of compliance with WDOH regulations. This project will add a booster pump at the source area (i.e., the head of the system) to provide minimum required pressure to the upper part of the system. That will require pressure-reducing valves on the pipe going down the hill so the lower part of the system is not over-pressurized.
    • This project is a regulatory requirement and will also reduce operational risk. It is scheduled for 2025.
  • Create 6-inch PVC loop from 107th to Vashon Highway
    • The currently 6-inch and smaller diameter dead-end runs on 107th and north end of Vashon Highway are undersized for adequate fire flow. This project will connect those two dead-ends with new pipe along 228th with 6-inch PVC, creating a new loop which will improve fire flow capacity and also improve water quality (i.e., reduce stagnation in the dead-end runs).
    • This project is both an operational risk reduction and fire flow improvement project.
  • 8-inch line out of 150k gal tank at wellfield
    • The large storage reservoir located at the source area on 232nd is not currently plumbed directly into the distribution system. This project will make that direct connection by replacing the current 1.25-inch PVC pipe with 8-inch PVC and connecting it directly to the start of the distribution system. This will add storage volume that is directly available for regular service and fire flows. 
    • This project is both an operational risk reduction and fire flow improvement project for the entire system. It is scheduled for 2025-2030.
  • Replace remaining galvanized iron pipe
    • Galvanized iron experiences reduced flow capacity and also begins to leak frequently with age. These sections of old galvanized pipe are beyond their expected useful life and are a risk for ongoing maintenance. This project will replace this old pipe with 6- or 8-inch PVC, improving flow conditions.
    • These projects are both an operational risk reduction and fire flow improvement projects. They are scheduled for 2025 (NW corner of the peninsula, which is currently experiencing frequent leaks) to 2040 (south end of 115th Ave).
  • Upgrade small diameter PVC for fire flow improvements
    • Additional portions of the distribution system include multiple small diameter (1.5- to 2-inch) PVC segments, which are undersized for adequate fire flow. These projects will replace those small diameter segments with 6-inch PVC (where loops with fire hydrants are required) or 8-inch PVC (for dead-end runs to fire hydrants), creating better fire flow capacity. These projects are primarily fire flow improvement projects. Specific areas include:
      • 240th and 105th: planned for around 2040
      • Governor’s Lane: planned for around 2030
      • Vashon Highway south of Burton: planned for around 2035
      • Short segment uphill from yacht club: planned for around 2040
  • Other future projects (e.g., new/replacement wells)
    • There are numerous other projects that will be required over time, as system components age and need to be replaced or upgraded. Examples include new wells to replace the old shallow wellpoints at the source, a replacement storage tank for the 100k-gallon tank on 238th, and new source plumbing and controls.
  • Install additional fire hydrants on all improved fire flow lines to meet King County fire code standards