Anacortes reviews draft general sewer plan, $244.5 million wastewater capital program and looming revenue shortfall

Anacortes City Council members heard a technical briefing Sept. 2 on a draft general sewer plan and a 20‑year wastewater capital improvement program that together identify roughly $244,500,000 in potential projects and show a multi‑year gap between projected expenses and existing utility revenue. The presentation took place at City Hall during the regular council meeting.

Why it matters: The plan identifies near‑term work on aging equipment and pump stations, modeling tools that will inform where the city can accept new development, and a long‑range potential upgrade to remove nitrogen if state regulators require it — steps that could carry large capital costs and influence future rates, grants and permitting decisions.

HDR Engineering consultant Kenny Packard told the council the plan combines a new hydraulic model, flow monitoring and projected population growth to identify collection‑system and treatment‑plant needs. “We built a sewer model for the city,” Packard said, noting the city now has a calibrated tool to test wet‑weather events, future growth and how projects perform. Packard said the city’s system includes about 21 pump stations, a combined sewer in many older areas, and a wastewater treatment plant…