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Orting consolidates water system plan funding to meet federal AWIA requirements and state rules
Summary
City staff asked council to approve a consolidated scope and budget to complete a comprehensive water system plan, including required risk‑and‑resilience and emergency response components under the America’s Water Infrastructure Act. Council approved the consolidated budget within previously authorized 2025 funds.
Orting’s city staff told the council on Jan. 15 that the city needs an expanded, consolidated water system plan to meet state Department of Health expectations, Growth Management Act obligations and the federal America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) requirements for a risk and resilience assessment (RRA) and an emergency response plan (ERP). Council approved the recommended scope and budget consolidation on consent.
Scope and timing: Staff explained the city previously budgeted an update but that new federal requirements and a broader asset and hydraulic assessment made a more comprehensive approach prudent. The consolidated request folded prior invoices and an expanded scope into a single amendment so the work would not be duplicated. Staff described three components: the comprehensive water‑system plan (asset inventory, condition assessment, hydraulic modeling and capital improvement plan), an RRA and an ERP that must be in place to satisfy AWIA deadlines. Staff said the project will be completed within the contract schedule (project duration extended 12 months from notice to proceed) and that federal certification deadlines drive the ERP/RRA work.
Budget: Council materials show an overall consolidated budget in the mid‑$300,000 range; staff said $56,282 had already been expended and the remaining consolidated amendment is within the 2025 budget approved by council. The additional AWIA‑specific work was described as a separate amendment in staff materials but will be integrated into the consolidated contract; CA Larson said the required federal elements are functionally complementary to the water system plan update and that doing them together is more efficient.
What happens next: Staff will issue a notice to proceed once the consolidated scope is authorized and expects to deliver the ERP and RRA well ahead of the federal certification deadline (staff cited the federal deadlines and said the target completion window is between June and December 2026 for the federally required components). The work is required for certain grants and will support future capital planning and grant applications.
Ending: Council approved the consolidated scope and budget on consent and staff will proceed to finalize the contract and begin the integrated water system and resilience planning work.
