/ Public Works Engineering / Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Utilities
Water and Sewer Utilities
Forest Rim Reservoir Construction
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The City of Issaquah operates a water utility, a sewer utility and a stormwater utility. Public Works Engineering is responsible for planning, engineering and design of capital facilities associated with the three utilities, plus development and implementation of various programs that relate to their operation and maintenance.
The water utility provides over 6000 water customers with dependable, clean, and safe potable water; using a pipe system that maintains proper water pressure and insures positive fire protection through properly sized distribution and storage facilities. This system requires continual maintenance and upgrading, not only to replace aging facilities but also to upgrade facilities to meet established level of service standards and projected future growth. Given our varied topography, the water system is very complex, comprising of numerous water supply wells, booster pump stations, reservoirs, control valves, pressure reducing valves, and other facilities.
Currently about half of the City's water supply comes from groundwater wells that tap the Lower Issaquah Valley aquifer. That supply, while being sufficient for most of Issaquah's history, is limited by our permitted water rights. To meet future growth, the rest of our water is obtained from Cascade Water Alliance (CWA), a group of eight Eastside cities and districts representing over 50% of retail water sales in the region outside Seattle. CWA obtains its water from the City of Seattle, and in Issaquah it serves the Montreux, Talus, and Issaquah Highlands neighborhoods. CWA’s objective is to provide water supply to its members to meet current and future regional needs in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.
The sewer utility collects wastewater generated by these customers and delivers it to King County Metro's collection/treatment system. As with the water system, repairing aging facilities and upgrading the pipe system to meet current standards and future growth requires continual attention. There are appoximately 5500 customers served by the sewer utility.
The function of the stormwater utility, which serves approximately 7500 customers, is multi-faceted. Primary activities include maintenance and operation of drainage facilities on City streets and private easements, construction of stormwater system improvements, construction of flood control projects and flood warning systems, basin planning, wetlands/stream corridor restoration and preservation, and urban runoff water quality.
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Studies Conducted by Public Works Engineering
Public Works Engineering has prepared many plans and studies as part of capital project planning, utility management, and resource monitoring and protection. Some of these documents can be found by following the links shown above. A complete listing of all available on-line publications can be found at the Studies, Plans and Resources page.
Links to other Web sites of interest:
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