The Finance and Personnel Committee on June 5 approved two related resolutions to advance a water transmission main along Highway 16, committing the city to front project costs so it can pursue reimbursement through the Safe Drinking Water loan program and related grant earmarks.

Director Gallagher said the project pairs federal earmark funds for PFAS mitigation with state Safe Drinking Water program funds; the approach shifts from treating individual contaminated wells to using “clean” wells and additional transmission capacity to distribute water that tests below PFAS limits. Gallagher said three French Island wells that previously required treatment had been taken offline and the new main would provide additional capacity and pressure to northeast areas where pressures are low.

Gallagher described the action as a timing-driven step: city staff had to commit to fronting funds so the city could be eligible for reimbursement and not lose the funding opportunity tied to an end-of-month federal/state deadline. The committee was told the city would be reimbursed if the grant/loan awards are finalized and the project meets program conditions; the resolutions are commitments to proceed and secure later reimbursement.

Council members asked technical questions about how the project mitigates PFAS; staff explained the main increases system redundancy, improves pressure, and allows the utility to rely on wells that test below PFAS thresholds rather than installing treatment on each affected well. Staff also confirmed ongoing wellhead protection planning and possible future well siting for redundancy. The motion (moved by Council member Janssen, seconded by Council member Northwood) passed unanimously.

The committee approved a companion resolution that moves forward the Safe Drinking Water loan program application that pairs with the same transmission-main project; that resolution passed unanimously as well. Gallagher said the immediate step was required by timing constraints in the funding process; final reimbursement is contingent on grant/loan approval.

The approved action allows the utility to proceed with design and to secure financing while preserving eligibility for the state and federal assistance programs.

Looking forward, staff said the city would return with project details, timelines, and the reimbursement schedule as grant/loan awards are finalized.