Projects

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Background Information

Current Capital Improvement (CI) Projects

Water Treatment/PFAS Contamination Remediation Projects

Emergency Water Dispensing Apparatus (Water Tree) Program

Project Documents (Legal Documents)

Completed Capital Improvement (CI) Projects

Thurston PUD Broadband Feasibility Assessment

Hazard Mitigation Planning

Background Information

Thurston PUD is a unique water provider - we own and operate 271 separate water systems throughout five (5) counties in western Washington. As you can imagine, funding and accounting for all the expenditures related to each water system can be challenging. To help explain our tracking system for budgeting costs and expenditures, information is listed below on Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) which are funded in part by capital surcharges and guided by the PUD's Asset Management Plan (AMP).

Want to learn more about Capital Surcharges and rate information? Click here to visit our Rates page.

What is an Asset Management Plan (AMP)?

An Asset Management Plan (AMP) is a multiyear financial planning tool we use to estimate when water system components will reach the end of their life cycles and what it will cost to fund that replacement. We predict costs which helps us determine how much we need to budget each year. PUD staff has created an AMP for each of the 271 water systems owned and operated by the PUD.

What is a Capital Improvement Project (CIP)?

A Capital Improvement Project (CIP) is a permanent structural change, addition, or alteration to infrastructure that adds to the value of the infrastructure or prolongs its useful life. CIPs are funded in part by capital surcharges which are paid monthly by all PUD customers - infrastructure costs are shared by all PUD customers.

Current Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)

Tanglewilde 600 Water System - Mainline Infrastructure Replacement Project Phases 1, 2, and 3 (2024-2030)

This project is the first of three projects and is funded at $10 million. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 with an estimated completion date in 2030. Funding for this project was provided by the Washington State Public Works Board.

Two additional major projects estimated at $20 million for both phases, will be required to replace aging infrastructure on the Tanglewilde 600 water system. These projects are projected to begin and be completed between 2030 and 2040.

The Tanglewilde water system was built in the 1950s and 1960s to provide drinking water to the Tanglewilde and Thompson Place plats. The system has been owned by Thurston PUD since the late 1950s. The Tanglewilde 600 system now provides water and fire flow service to almost 2,000 homes, apartment complexes, businesses, parks, and schools in the Tanglewilde-Thompson Place area within the Lacey urban growth area. Approximately 80,000 lineal feet of water mains are planned for replacement over the next 10 years; valves, hydrants, and service line infrastructure also needs replacement.

Thurston PUD has hired an engineering firm to develop comprehensive plans for this major project and a contractor will be hired to complete the work. Construction is anticipated to start in Spring 2025. Below is an image of the general area for each phase of this project.

Water Treatment/PFAS Contamination Remediation Projects (2025-2028)

Projects are estimated at $5,621,437

In 2021 and 2022, Thurston PUD took advantage of free funding, received from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), for PFAS testing for its Group A water system. PFAS has been detected above the federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for ten (10) water systems. In November 2023, funding for this project was provided by the DOH Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program.  

PUD staff requested funding from DOH for PFAS contamination remediation and was granted approximately $5.7 million to remove PFAS on six (6) of these water systems. Of the four (4) other water systems that were not awarding funding, two (2) systems were retested in 2024 and found to be under the MCL, so no further action is needed. As of April 2025, additional funding from a different source is pending for Sandra Avenue 627. PUD staff will continue to seek funding for the Spanaway 192nd 669 water system.

For important project documents, click here. For more information on PFAS, please click here. More detailed information on funding for each water system is listed below.

Pattison 500 Water System - DWSRF Water System Replacement Project (2023-2025)

Project estimated at $3.1 million

After conducting an assessment in 2020, Thurston PUD determined that equipment and facilities at the Pattison 500 water system needed to be improved or replaced. This project includes the following work:

• Drilling of the new Casebolt well

• Constructing a new booster pump station

• Constructing a new 720,000-gallon capacity reservoir

• Upgrading electrical equipment

• Constructing a new building for electrical equipment, chlorine generation equipment, and a booster pump station

• Constructing a new pump house, two new booster pumps, two new bladder tanks, and new electrical equipment at the Tri-Lakes well site (Completed - see the Completed Capital Improvement (CI) Projects section below)

Though not necessarily related to this project, a chlorine generation plant will also be constructed at the Pattison 500 water system which will allow the PUD to create its own chlorine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were chlorine shortages. The capability of the PUD to create its own chlorine will enhance the PUD's sustainability.

The PUD received $3,141,500 in funding for this project with a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan with 50 percent loan forgiveness, meaning that the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) "forgives" half of the initial loan amount, so the PUD only needs to pay the remainder of the loan (the other half). DWSRF loans are federally funded and provided to governmental and not-for-profit entities at low-interest rates.

Emergency Water Dispensing Apparatus (Water Tree) Operations Program

Thurston PUD is creating an emergency preparedness program to utilize water trees, at reservoirs that are 10,000+ gallons, to help ensure our customers have access to potable water during a large emergency or disaster event. Thurston PUD will pre-deploy water trees to water systems to enable customers to have access to drinking water after a large local or Cascadia level earthquake. We will provide the material and training to our customers to be able to utilize this program. This is a new program being implemented in phases starting in 2025.

What is a water tree?

A water tree is a pipe or piece of PVC pipe that has nozzles on it to distribute water into containers. The water tree is hooked into a valve or hydrant that provides water from a reservoir. The water tree’s size will be made to fit the number of customers on a system.

Why do we need water trees?

After a large earthquake, water in reservoirs that are 10,000+ gallons in size may be the only water available for drinking purposes for up to 30 days. Many water mains may be broken, and many reservoirs may not make it through a large earthquake.

What is this program?

We work with volunteers from customers on our water systems who will be responsible for the water trees in an emergency. Thurston PUD will train volunteers on how to use the water trees. We will provide generic step-by-step instructions on installing, using, and decontamination processes. Citizens approved as volunteers will be provided access to the storage area of the water tree equipment and will be provided annual training. Water jugs will also be issued.

Pictured above: a one-gallon water jug

Pictured above: example of a water tree connected to a fire hydrant, dispensing water

Country Club 680 Water System - Green Cove Creek Culvert Removal (2023-2025)

Project estimated at $652,000

Thurston PUD provides water to approximately 65 homes on the north side of Green Cove Creek - this service is provided via a six-inch water main that crosses the creek at Country Club Road NW. In Fall 2021, inspectors with Thurston County found that the Green Cove Creek culvert at Country Club Road NW had partially collapsed and emergency repairs were made. The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved removing the culvert and constructing a bridge to improve the fish habitat and the spawning ecosystem in the area.

Construction on this project began in July 2024, and Country Club Road NW was closed to facilitate construction. The closure is expected to last 14 months while the culvert is removed in 2024 and the bridge is installed in 2025. Thurston PUD is responsible for providing temporary water service to our customers during construction and reinstalling permanent water service during and after the County's work is completed. Temporary water service was installed in August 2024.

U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland was able to secure funding for 80 percent of the PUD's estimated cost for this project. The PUD hopes to receive funding for the remainder of this project through a 2024 appropriation in the Washington State Capital Budget - $1 million in funding is expected to be shared between six (6) public utility districts, including our PUD, for fish barrier removal projects.

For more information on the project, please visit the Thurston County Public Works website here, click on Projects, then click on Green Cove Creek Fish Barrier Removal.

Prairie Ridge Consolidation Project (2025-2027)

Project estimated at $1,463,813

This year, PUD staff has started to plan for a consolidation project of the Prairie Ridge 605, Tolmie Estates 239, and Hawk Acres 607 water systems to update aging infrastructure, simplify management, and increase reliability for these systems. The PUD has received $1,463,813 in funding for this project through a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan. DWSRF loans are federally funded and provided to governmental and not-for-profit entities at low-interest rates for 20 years. A public meeting was held on March 17, 2025 to provide customers with additional information about the project - click here to review the presentation.

Completed Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)

Meadows 690 Water System - Generator Installation (2023-2024)

$127,300

In 2023, Thurston PUD received loan funding through the Washington State Military Department and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to install a new generator at the Meadows 690 water system and to acquire two portable generators for use during emergencies and natural disasters. The loan funding was received at 90 percent forgiveness, meaning that 90 percent of the initial loan amount will be "forgiven," so that the PUD only needs to pay back 10 percent of the loan after the work is completed.

CCE 521 - Infrastructure Replacement (2023-2024), New PUD Water System

$756,400

Residents of the Country Club Estates (CCE) 521 water system, a water system in Thurston County that was not a member of Thurston PUD, asked if the PUD could make infrastructure improvements on their water system and assume ownership. The customers understood that they would need to pay for all improvements so the cost of these improvements did not impact current PUD customers so that the system came into the PUD "whole."  In 2021, Thurston PUD assumed ownership of the CCE 521 system. A surcharge was enacted for each customer on the CCE 521 water system to repay the estimated debt obligation from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan the PUD received to fund capital improvements on the system necessary to bring the system to standard. This project involved complete replacement of the Country Club Estates 521 water distribution system, including installation of approximately 3,300 lineal feet of water lines (main and service), sample stations, and valve assemblies.

The PUD received Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan with 50 percent loan forgiveness for this project, meaning that the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) will "forgive" a portion of the loan so that PUD is responsible to pay back half of the initial loan amount. DWSRF loans are federally funded and provided to governmental and not-for-profit entities at low-interest rates. The customers of CCE 521 water system are paying for all costs for these infrastructure improvements and are coming in "whole" to the PUD.

Because the project came in under budget, PUD staff was able to recommend that the surcharge for CCE 521 customers be reduced from $48.35 per month to $27.40 per month. A Public Hearing was held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, and the reduction in the CCE 521 surcharge was adopted by the PUD Board of Commissioners effective September 1, 2024.

Glen Alder 522 Water System - Infrastructure Replacement (2023-2024), New PUD Water System

$517,480

Residents of the Glen Alder 522 water system, a water system in Thurston County that was not a member of Thurston PUD, asked if the PUD could make infrastructure improvements on their water system and assume ownership. The customers understood that they would need to pay for all improvements so the cost of these improvements did not impact current PUD customers so that the system came into the PUD "whole." In 2021, Thurston PUD assumed ownership of the Glen Alder 522 water system. A surcharge was enacted for each customer on the Glen Alder 522 water system to repay the estimated debt obligation from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan the PUD received to fund capital improvements on the system necessary to bring the system to standard. This project involved complete replacement of the Glen Alder 522 water distribution system, including installation of approximately 4,200 lineal feet of water lines (main and service), sample stations, and valve assemblies.

The PUD received Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan with 50 percent loan forgiveness for this project, meaning that the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) will "forgive" a portion of the loan so that PUD is responsible to pay back half of the initial loan amount. DWSRF loans are federally funded and provided to governmental and not-for-profit entities at low-interest rates. The customers of Glen Alder 522 water system are paying for all costs for these infrastructure improvements and are coming in "whole" to the PUD.

Because the project came in under budget, PUD staff was able to recommend that the surcharge for Glen Alder 522 customers be reduced from $85.78 per month to $68.10 per month. A Public Hearing was held on April 23, 2024, and the reduction in the Glen Alder 522 surcharge was adopted by the PUD Board of Commissioners effective May 1, 2024.

Pump House Rebuilds (2021-2023)

$294,805

In the last few years, PUD staff have worked to rebuild pump houses at the end of their useful lives at three water systems: Brown South Prairie 249, Garden Acres 1 601, and Marshall 228. The PUD received Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF) loan funding for these rebuilds at low-interest rates.

A list of CI projects completed can be accessed at the links below:

• Completed 2024 CI Projects - Coming Soon!

• Completed 2023 CI Projects (Total Dollar Amounts by Task)

Thurston PUD Broadband Feasibility Assessment

In February 2021, the Thurston PUD Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution 21-04 which was created to support a needs assessment in pursuit of evaluating and determining the telecommunication accessibility gaps throughout Thurston County, and in what way, if any, Thurston PUD could assist in mitigating those issues. The assessment summary was presented to the PUD Board of Commissioners in April 2022.

The General Manager recommended that the PUD not enter the broadband line of business for several reasons, including:

• Established Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have extensive facilities and markets throughout Thurston County.

• Large, private ISPs are well-established and dominate the market.

• Local ISPs had recently received millions of dollars in funding to upgrade their facilities.

• Private and public partnerships had already gained traction to provide upgraded services to urban and rural communities.

The assessment summary, presentation, and information on an earlier broadband study is shown below.

Telecommunications/Broadband Feasibility Assessment - April 2022

Telecommunications/Broadband Feasibility Assessment Presentation - Presented to the PUD Board of Commissioners in April 2022

Broadband Feasibility Study with Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey - July 2015

Hazard Mitigation Planning

Hazard mitigation is a process aimed to reduce or eliminate the long-term risks to life, property, and infrastructure from natural and human- caused hazards. Here at Thurston PUD, it's an ongoing process that we manage before disaster can occur to help break the cycle of damage and repair in hazardous areas. Below, you will find the Hazard Mitigation Plans for the Thurston and Lewis County regions and an update for the plan for Pierce County.

Thurston PUD Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Thurston County Region - 2023

Thurston PUD Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Lewis County Region - 2023

Thurston PUD Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Pierce County Region - Projected to start September 2024 with a completion date of May 2025