Chehalis hears wastewater comprehensive-plan update; biosolids handling and plant electrical systems flagged as top priorities

Chehalis City Council received a mid-course update on the city' wastewater comprehensive plan on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, as consultants from KJ Engineering reviewed preliminary risk findings, capacity projections and options for biosolids and reclaimed-water management. The presentation covered a 20-year planning horizon and next steps toward a final capital improvements program that will be submitted to the Washington State Department of Ecology.

KJ Engineering's interim project lead, Andrew, said the plan "does satisfy a requirement of the Washington Administrative Code" and is intended to "position the facility for long-term resiliency and ongoing compliance with current and potential future regulations." He described the project as a multi-phase effort that includes data collection, condition assessments, system analysis and a risk-based prioritization exercise.

The consultants said the plan uses a three-factor risk calculation (consequence of failure x business vulnerability x likelihood of failure) developed in multi-day workshops with city staff. The highest-priority items to date include…