Utility board previews large water-supply line project, votes to request King County update on sewer work
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Summary
The board reviewed a tentative 2026 calendar that includes a multi-stage water-supply line project entering construction in spring and scheduled franchise and rate discussions; the board also unanimously approved a motion to request King County provide a public update on a long-running sewer project affecting the north end of Mercer Island.
The Mercer Island Utility Board discussed a draft 2026 work plan on Jan. 13 that lays out monthly briefings and previews a major water-supply line construction project slated to begin in early spring and continue for about two years.
“...we have a really, really big water supply line project that's coming into construction, next year, early spring,” Jason said while presenting the calendar and project timing. He said the board will receive multiple updates on the supply-line construction and related contract amendments, and he noted the current solid-waste contract (signed in 2019) expires in 2029 and will require multi-year planning.
The draft calendar includes a February supply-line update, a March presentation on stormwater and NPDES permit work, an April briefing on a PSC franchise-agreement redline, a May contract-amendment review, June board elections, summer site tours and a fall series of rate meetings. Jason said staff and outside counsel are engaged in franchise- and contract-related resiliency conversations with utility partners.
Board members also raised questions about community impacts from other regional projects. Several members said residents remain concerned about a long-running King County sewer project on the island’s north end. Staff described prior county construction issues and recommended formally requesting a county update. A motion to request King County attend a future meeting and provide an update was moved and seconded (second by Craig Olsen) and carried on a voice vote.
Jason characterized the county’s effort in blunt terms while explaining the board’s rationale for an update request: “They made some mistakes in their construction. They're having to redo things,” he said, noting the county has therefore remained longer on the island than originally anticipated. The board approved the motion to ask King County for a status report; members emphasized the request is driven by community concern and a desire for direct answers.
Jason also flagged several items staff will schedule for board briefings during 2026, including recurring supply-line check-ins, franchise-agreement negotiations, contract-amendment reviews and capital-program previews leading into the 2027–28 budget/biennium work the board will inform.
The board did not take any formal land-use or budget votes on the supply-line project at this meeting; staff committed to follow up and to invite external partners when appropriate.
