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Oak Harbor plans $1.95M federal sewer rehab, water main upsizing and well testing amid 2026 paving projects
Summary
City staff told the council they received a $1.95 million EPA community project grant for sewer repairs that will line or replace roughly 11,600 feet of pipe, reported a lower bid on an upsized water main/pavement project, and outlined a Well 9 replacement plan requiring a 24‑hour 250 gpm pump test before final design.
Oak Harbor public works staff detailed several capital projects planned for construction in 2026, including a federally funded sewer rehabilitation, a water main upsizing and street rebuild, a well replacement and testing program, and pavement preservation funded partially by a state TIB grant.
Sewer rehab and federal grant: Project manager Andy Walsh said the city won an EPA community project grant worth $1.95 million to address sewer inflow and infiltration east of Midway and south of Woodby. Engineers identified about 11,600 linear feet (roughly 2.2 miles) of pipeline in poor condition; the plan mixes open‑cut replacement and trenchless fiberglass/epoxy lining to limit surface disturbance. Walsh said the rehabilitation will reduce groundwater intrusion, protect treatment capacity and reduce the risk of sewer backups and environmental discharges to Oak Harbor Bay.
Water main and street work: Walsh also described a Southeast Gleno and SE 4th water main replacement that upsizes roughly 3,100 feet of 4‑inch main to 8–12 inches to improve flows, including fire flows. Because the water work exposed broader pavement and storm needs, staff combined the utility work with a rebuild or overlay of SE 4th from Midway to Gleno; the low responsive bid was about $1.5 million, below the $2 million engineer’s estimate.
Well 9 replacement: City archaeologist and project manager Gideon Kaufman outlined plans to retap Well 9 at Kimble Park after years of intermittent repairs; the well currently produces about 25 gpm while system planning anticipates 250 gpm. The project requires a mobilized drilling crew and a 24‑hour pumped test at 250 gpm to size the permanent pumping system; staff said they are testing stormwater capacity in the neighborhood to prevent any localized flooding during the test.
Paving and pedestrian improvements: The city is moving a pavement preservation project for SE Bington Drive (Highway 20 to SE 8th) to construction with a TIB grant of about $669,000 and a small local match; staff plan to replace some defective sidewalks (notably near the police department), upgrade curb ramps and add improved crosswalk devices and bicycle striping. Project timing will be coordinated with Cascade Natural Gas work, a nearby multifamily development (Bay View Vista), and the sewer rehabilitation schedule.
Traffic control and outreach: For most projects staff said they will coordinate public outreach, pedestrian safety at schools and traffic control, including temporary detours and contractor signage.
What’s next: staff will advance design-to-bid steps and return to council as projects are packaged for construction contracts and budget adjustments.
