Board sets March 4 public hearing for Dana Passage water system franchise request

Thurston County staff asked the board to set a public hearing for March 4 to consider an application from the Dana Passage Water System for a nonexclusive franchise to construct, operate and maintain a water distribution system within county right‑of‑way in northeast Thurston County.

Matt Osmond, Thurston County engineer, said the system runs off 80 First Avenue between Libby Road and Zangle Road. He said the existing system includes “79 water connections and nearly 3 miles of PVC pipe that is more than 60 years old, and the leakage rate is greater than 25%.” Osmond said the system is privately owned by an HOA and that the franchise process is one step needed for the HOA to qualify for grants to repair the system.

Nut graf: Staff said the franchise process is largely procedural but necessary for the private system to pursue outside funding and to formalize right‑of‑way access and maintenance responsibilities. Notices will be published and posted in local locations and the county will accept public comment at the hearing.

Commissioners discussed prior conversations with system representatives and staff said the county wants to be helpful because private systems sometimes become public‑works responsibilities when they cannot be maintained. A staff member noted the county previously had a PUD operate the system before it became private.

Ending: The board directed staff to place the public hearing on the March 4 docket and to finalize the hearing notice and postings.