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Council approves $158,700 study to probe intake pump station seismic risk
Summary
The council authorized a not‑to‑exceed $158,700 contract with HDR Engineering to study retrofit alternatives for the 1970s water treatment plant intake station after a condition assessment flagged pile failure risk in a design‑level seismic event.
The Anacortes City Council voted Aug. 10 to authorize the mayor to sign contract C2026‑0218 with HDR Engineering Inc. for an alternatives analysis of the water treatment plant intake pump station, not to exceed $158,700.
Water System Manager Terry Nemeth told the council the intake station was built in the early 1970s and that a 2025 condition assessment concluded the piling supporting the structure “could fail in a 2021 IBC design seismic event,” which could lead to overall failure of the intake. Nemeth summarized the contract scope as an analysis of retrofit feasibility, permitting needs and high‑level cost estimates to avoid a $20–$30 million full replacement.
Council questioned timing and scope. Councilmember Fantini summarized the tradeoff: “We’re gonna spend a $157,000 to hopefully find a plan that is gonna cost us a lot less than millions of dollars to replace the entire building,” and Nemeth confirmed the analysis should not require a separate budget adjustment. Nemeth estimated any actual construction would likely occur in 2027 or 2028, with this analysis delivered earlier.
Why it matters: the intake supplies raw water to the treatment plant; staff said maintaining or retrofitting the intake is essential to avoid service loss during a large seismic event. The analysis will deliver recommended retrofit options and inform potential subsequent design and construction contracts.
Speakers quoted or cited: Terry Nemeth (Water System Manager); Councilmember Fantini.
