Pierce County outlines multi‑year Day Island sewer project; residents asked for public input

Pierce County sewer staff and consultants described a multi‑year replacement and pump‑station project for Day Island during a June 6 council update and at a nearby community meeting, councilmember Kathy McCluskey said.

McCluskey, who attended a Day Island public meeting with project manager Bob Vogel and an engineering representative from RM2, told the council the current pump station is near the end of its service life and subject to tidal corrosion and flooding. "They're thinking of elevating it up or placing it in a different location, elevating it up probably about 15, 18 to 19 feet, something like that above the floodplain," McCluskey said.

The project schedule presented to residents calls for surveying and detailed design work in 2026 and staged construction rolling toward 2027–2032. McCluskey said the county has hired an outreach firm, Triangle, to conduct an intensive public‑engagement campaign and that the engineering team will coordinate with utilities and possible local street improvements.

Key technical and cost details - Grinder upgrades: County staff said each home on the system was expected to receive a new grinder unit; McCluskey told the council the per‑home equipment cost estimate discussed at the meeting was about $40,000. "This will actually shred and grind at the same time. It will be the cost of 40,000 per home," she said. - Pump station elevation and flood resilience: Staff told residents the pump station is vulnerable to salt water intrusion and king tides, and the project will consider elevating or relocating the facility above historic high tides. - Timeline: Initial surveying expected in 2026, with design and phased construction between 2027 and 2032, according to the briefing McCluskey described. - Cost impact to Day Island customers: County presenters told residents there would be no increase in sewer billing to Day Island households beyond existing countywide rates, McCluskey said; the council article notes the claim was presented at the public meeting and will require confirmation through final project financing and county board approvals.

Public outreach and coordination Project staff plan targeted outreach to Day Island property owners regarding right‑of‑way needs, temporary construction access and sequencing. McCluskey said residents asked the county to consider undergrounding overhead utilities where feasible and to coordinate street, water and sewer work so neighborhoods are not repeatedly dug up.

What the council will do next Councilmembers asked staff to keep the city informed and coordinate where the city may help with permitting or street work timing. The city did not take a formal vote; the briefing was informational and councilmembers advised staff to monitor county engagement and financing details.

Ending Project staff and county consultants will return during future design stages and after the public‑engagement process; councilmembers urged timely notice to property owners for meetings and individual consultations.