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County wins grants to replace failing sewer in Flores Acres; Sequim may take over water system
Summary
Clallam County secured Department of Ecology funding to replace a failing private sewer system in the Flores Acres neighborhood; Sequim staff said the city could assume and upgrade the water system if available grants close, potentially lowering costs for residents and creating a path to annexation.
Clallam County has been offered a Department of Ecology funding package to replace the failing sewer infrastructure in the Flores Acres enclave surrounded by the city of Sequim, public works staff told council. The combined approach could include city takeover and upgrades to the neighborhood’s aging water system if complementary grants are awarded.
Public Works Director described Flores Acres as a small subdivision of roughly 54 homes built in the 1970s that is served by a common private well and an aging shared sewer/drain field. Field inspections and video showed the sewer collection piping in imminent risk of failure; staff described individual homes that would lose sewer service if the line collapses and would face emergency pumping or use restrictions.
Clallam County has applied for and received a Department of Ecology funding offer of $2,580,000 to replace the sewer collection system. City staff said approximately $1.9 million of that package is proposed as forgivable principal, leaving roughly $661,000 as repayable principal to be shared among the homeowners through a local improvement district (LID) or similar mechanism. County staff and the homeowners association are pursuing formation of an LID to manage repayment.
Separately, state Department of Health and a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program have funds available to upgrade small water systems. City staff said the city could apply for CDBG and state funds to replace Flores Acres water piping, add fire protection (hydrants) and tie the system into Sequim’s distribution. That path requires sequencing: several grant programs condition awards on combined water and sewer work to avoid digging the same street twice.
If the water and sewer work are completed as a single coordinated project, Sequim staff said the city could then accept ownership and operation of both systems, and residents could be eligible to annex into the city. Annexation would change connection-fee calculations (in-city fees and rates are lower than out-of-city), which staff estimated could reduce the homeowners’ repayment burden substantially. Staff added that proceeds from sale of parcel assets (the drainfield or well site) could also help offset resident costs.
Why this matters: Flores Acres’ utility failure risk poses an immediate public-health and quality-of-life threat to residents; the combination of federal and state funding with county loan support and a potential city takeover offers a financially practical solution that could stabilize service, add fire protection and limit long-term costs for homeowners.
Next steps: county and city staff will continue to coordinate grant applications and project sequencing. Staff said they will pursue grant funding for the water work and, if successful, manage design and construction so both systems are completed together. Council will be asked to approve any annexation or formal city assumption of the water system at a future hearing.
Sources: presentation by Sequim public works staff and updates from county and state agencies provided to council during the meeting.
