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Ecology reviews ASR feasibility study; city awaiting pilot testing approval and has partial funding
Summary
The public works director said the state Ecology has given positive marks to the city's Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) feasibility study but asked detailed questions, delaying pilot testing; Ecology funded the study with more than $500,000, city staff remain optimistic about securing additional water rights through the project.
City staff told the Parks and Public Works Committee that the state Department of Ecology has completed an initial review of the city’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) feasibility study, offering generally favorable comments but asking many questions that must be addressed before the city can proceed to pilot testing.
The public works director said Ecology reviewers “gave us high marks” for the feasibility work but requested additional information because ASR projects are uncommon on the state’s West Side. The director said Ecology provided more than $500,000 toward the feasibility study and that the city is responding to follow-up questions so Ecology can complete its review.
Staff said the feasibility results increase confidence the ASR pilot could succeed and could yield a significant amount of additional stored water and an increase in water right capacity for the city’s use, but pilot testing cannot start until Ecology completes its review. The director said the city will continue to answer Ecology’s questions and that the study’s funding by Ecology covers much of the costs of the analysis.
No formal decision or council action occurred at the committee meeting; staff said they will return with additional documentation once Ecology’s review is complete and a pilot-test window is scheduled.
