Pierce County Council refers 2025 Unified Sewer Plan to 90‑day review

The Pierce County Council on April 21 unanimously adopted Resolution R2026‑117 to refer the 2025 update to the Unified Sewer Plan (USP) to a Sewerage General Plan Review Committee and to the Planning Commission for a 90‑day review.

Erica Rhett Hunt, senior policy analyst with council staff, told the council the USP is the county’s long‑range plan for sewer utility infrastructure, operations and growth management. She said the current plan dates to 2010, the update has completed an environmental impact statement and extensive stakeholder engagement, and the review would begin on May 1. "Our unified sewer plan is essentially the county's long range plan that documents everything related to the sewer utility," Hunt said.

The resolution appoints committee members as prescribed by state law and asks the Sewerage General Plan Review Committee to convene during the 90‑day period to recommend any amendments, deletions or additions to the draft plan and return a recommendation to the council. Hunt said the committee’s review and the Planning Commission’s report would be expected back in fall for council consideration.

No members of the public spoke during the comment period for the item. The council took the vote by roll call; the clerk recorded seven ayes and zero nays and the motion was adopted.

What happens next: the committee and Planning Commission will review the draft, consider suggested changes, and report back to the council after the 90‑day review. The resolution does not set rates or fees; staff emphasized it is a programmatic planning document.

Provenance: topic introduced at SEG 711 and discussed through SEG 909.