Tacoma Water presents proposed wholesale contracts with Cascade Water Alliance; committee hears infrastructure and revenue details

Tacoma Water staff told the Infrastructure Planning and Sustainability Committee on Feb. 12 that proposed wholesale agreements with the Cascade Water Alliance would supply northern utilities beginning in the early 2040s, would shift the city's future resource mix toward more groundwater use in high-demand years, and would require coordinated infrastructure and capital planning.

Deputy Superintendent Jessica Knickerbocker described the proposals as a long-term regional partnership. She introduced senior staff to explain system impacts; Sean (last name recorded in the briefing materials) and Mark Powell led the technical and revenue discussion.

What was proposed: staff described two complementary agreements under negotiation. One agreement would reserve 12 million gallons per day (mgd) average with a 15 mgd peak allocation; a second would reserve a 12 mgd average with a 17.5 mgd peak. Tacoma's system-wide peak day demand in 2024 was about 73 mgd. Staff said Cascade does not need deliveries until the early 2040s and is responsible for constructing pipeline connections to the north; Cascade will also contribute to the corridor pump-station costs associated with…