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Yakima Council approves $4.95 million Bureau of Reclamation grant to extend water and wastewater service to unserved neighborhoods
Summary
The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing a $4,949,298 Bureau of Reclamation grant to construct domestic water and wastewater systems serving unserved and low‑income areas; the project includes about $260,000 in local match and a bid opening set for Jan. 30.
Mike Shane, water irrigation manager for the City of Yakima, told the City Council the city’s application to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation was selected for funding to build domestic water and wastewater systems in areas that currently rely on private shallow wells and septic systems. “The application was chosen for an award of just over $4,940,000,” Shane said, and staff recommended the council adopt the resolution authorizing the grant agreement.
The council adopted the resolution by roll call vote, 7–0. Councilman Decio moved to adopt the resolution; Deputy Mayor Brown seconded.
Why it matters: the award funds construction of water and wastewater infrastructure in neighborhoods the city describes as low‑income and unserved. Shane told council the award amount is $4,949,298 and that matching funds or in‑kind services of just over $260,000 will come from the city’s water and wastewater capital funds. A bid opening for the construction contract is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2025.
Details presented to council: Shane described the project as the result of a 2023 design effort by the city’s water and wastewater divisions and consultant HLA. He said residents in the target areas currently use private shallow wells for drinking water and individual septic systems for wastewater. Shane said the current grant will serve primarily wastewater needs in some places where water service already exists, and estimated the current award would serve “close to 50” homes for wastewater service. He also said a second design for another area is about 60% complete and that staff submitted a separate Bureau of Reclamation application for that work.
Scope and geography: Shane identified the primary area for this grant as the northeast part of the city (north end of I Street and North First Street and nearby blocks) and another area near Mead south of Lewis and Clark Middle School. He said a separate design effort is underway around 30th and Fruitvale.
What the council voted on: the resolution authorizes an agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for a grant of $4,949,298 for the Water and Irrigation and Wastewater divisions for the “low income and unserved utility areas” project (project numbers AC‑2570 and SC‑2650). The motion passed 7–0.
Next steps and conditions: staff will proceed to advertise the construction contract with a bid opening on Jan. 30, 2025. The project’s construction and schedule will be subject to successful bids and standard contract approvals. Shane and council members noted additional applications are pending to fund other unserved pockets.
Council context: Council members thanked staff for the multi‑year effort; no substantive amendments or conditions were placed on the grant acceptance at the Jan. 7 meeting.
Ending: With the resolution adopted unanimously, staff will move into procurement and construction planning, and councilors said they expect further updates as bids and schedules are finalized.
