Snoqualmie to build reclaimed-water reservoir after state rule; construction to start in June

Snoqualmie public works staff said the city will build a reclaimed-water reservoir and upgrade its irrigation pump station after state Department of Ecology rules made the current practice of irrigating public spaces from Eagle Lake noncompliant.

The Planning Commission heard that the project is a response to the Department of Ecology's reclaimed-water rule, which limits use of surface-stored reclaimed water for public irrigation because of the risk of recontamination from stormwater and wildlife. Jeff Hamlin, Parks and Public Works staff, said the construction package has been bid, a low bidder identified and work is expected to begin in June.

The reservoir will intercept reclaimed water before it reaches Eagle Lake and store the supply for irrigation of public areas, the city said. Hamlin described the system and the rationale: "We produce what's called Class A. It's reclaimed water. We have a permit to do that up to 1,560,000 gallons per day... We can pump it up the hill to Eagle Lake... A good share of that about approximately 70% goes to the golf course. The rest irrigates public spaces in the business park region." He added that the reservoir and pump station upgrade will prevent about 25 million gallons a year of potable water from being used for irrigation.

City staff described the reservoir as a partially buried concrete storage tank sized at roughly 400,000 gallons. The reservoir will be located near the existing electrical transmission corridor; the design retains surrounding trees where possible and places much of the tank below grade, staff said. Hamlin said the project must be completed by June 30, 2026, under the Ecology compliance schedule.

The public works update also described an ongoing water-rights issue tied to a previously transferred well field. The city has pursued a proof-of-appropriation application to certify a water right that dates to the Weyerhaeuser-era development transfer; staff said the Department of Ecology had previously limited use of that right because some volume had been reserved to avoid impacts to Snoqualmie River flows. The city said the recent use of reclaimed water for irrigation complicated that picture because reclaimed water used offsite is treated as consumptive and does not return directly to the river. Hamlin said the city filed documentation seeking certification and is prepared for further negotiations with Ecology.

Commissioners asked technical questions about reservoir siting and about whether tribal or other reservations share or hold separate water allocations; Hamlin said the casino and hotel use reservation-permitted wells that are separate from city-operated water rights.

Staff said the irrigation-reservoir construction bid results were close to engineers' estimates and that the city expects to proceed with the low bidder. Work is scheduled to begin in June and the city will notify the public about construction timing and any related road or trail impacts.

The update did not include any formal council vote at the meeting; staff said procurement steps were underway and that contract award paperwork and construction scheduling are in progress.