The Kirkland City Council on Jan. 6 authorized staff to advance a temporary regional booster pump station (Alternative 4) intended to restore water pressure in the Upper Highlands neighborhood.

Staff presented a 30% design, describing three main components: a regional pump station sited at the north portion of the community, and two check‑valve isolation stations (north and south) to create a new 5‑10 pressure zone. Based on the 30% design, presenters estimated the project would cost about $1,450,000, with roughly $610,000 for the pump station and $840,000 for the two check‑valve stations. Staff labeled this a Class 3 estimate with an accuracy range of −20% to +30%.

Presenters told the council the schedule is compressed: procurement lead times (valves and pump equipment) can be about 12 weeks and Department of Health review times for temporary facilities can add weeks. To shorten delivery, staff proposed splitting the work into two contract packages (vaults first, pump station second) and seeking preauthorization to streamline award and construction. Staff also said they have initiated coordination with utilities (PSE) and DOH to reduce approval delays.

Council members pressed staff on risks of parallel construction (equipment‑to‑vault fit, longer procurement lead times, and utility relocations). Staff said mitigation measures include finalizing equipment specifications now, advance purchase orders if authorized, and a procurement strategy that allows vault work to begin while pump equipment is procured. The council voted 7–0 to include the temporary regional booster pump station project in the capital improvement program and authorize staff to proceed with final design and project delivery.

Staff said the city is drawing on an existing CIP fund previously allocated for water‑main replacement to cover the interim solution; available funding will be monitored and staff will return with a funding strategy for the permanent solution and any future appropriation needs.