Council reviews two-year extension of multi-agency wastewater agreement; staff to negotiate replacement through 2028
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Summary
Council reviewed a staff request to extend the city’s multi-agency wastewater contract (with Edmonds, Olympic View and Shoreline) for two years to allow negotiation of a new long-term agreement in 2028. Staff identified regional capacity issues, potential flow swaps with King County, sewer lining needs, and possible nutrient-treatment requirements that could affect capacity and costs.
Public Works Director Gary Shemick asked the council to approve a two-year extension to the interlocal agreement governing the community’s participation in the Edmonds-operated wastewater treatment plant, noting the 1988 agreement has been extended multiple times and that staff intends to negotiate a new 30-year contract to present in 2028.
Shemick said the extension provides time for partner agencies to evaluate options and noted three primary items staff expects to address in the next two years: (1) a potential King County flow swap that could redirect some flows to Brightwater and free capacity at Edmonds; (2) lining or replacing leaky sewer mains that carry infiltration and unnecessarily consume treatment capacity; and (3) proposed Ecology nutrient-treatment requirements that could reduce plant capacity or require costly upgrades.
Council members asked how future capital costs would be allocated and whether alternatives such as swaps could lower long-term costs; staff said those topics will be covered in a rate study and included in the 2027–28 budget conversations.
The council did not take final action on a long-term replacement at the meeting; staff requested direction and authorization to proceed with a two-year extension and to continue regional negotiations ahead of a new contract draft for 2028.
