November 8

• We have completed the engineering design and construction bid package for the new groundwater well and received a letter of conditional approval from USDA-RD on October 22, 2018.  The well project is now on hold pending federal and state funder approval of the Environmental Review process. We received the Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) from the USDA-RD on October 12, 2018. The publication of this on November 14, 2018 completes the environmental review process for the federal grant application.
• We are working with the funding agencies to obtain final approval for the grant applications. Once this approval is received we can work on finalizing the grant contracts.
• We provided public notice for the water right application. The 30 day comment period expired on October 25,  2018. No comments were submitted on this project.
• Valley Water District completed repairs to several leaks in PVC piping inside the Kapowsin Booster Station 
• View the leaking pipe, the fixed pipe and installed a new Spring Pump check valve.

August 22

• We are working on finalizing the Department of Ecology Cost Reimbursement Agreement for processing the water right application.
• We received well drilling approval from the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) on 8/3/18.
• We are working with the funding agencies on requirements to finalize the two grant applications; including discussions on State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requirements.
• We met with the Muckleshoot Tribe on 8/16/18 to discuss the new well project and water rights transfer from a surface water right to groundwater right. 
• We are negotiating land acquisition from Tacoma Public Utilities for the new well site.
• We have almost completed well design and bid specifications and anticipate sending this to the funders for review in early September and going out to bid in early October.
• We are still working on preparing new water utility administrative regulations.
• Graham Fire and Rescue installed a new Knox Box to facilitate quicker entry to the fire pump system.  

July 12
New Well Source

• Our consultant is developing the drilling specifications for the new well and we are targeting August or early September to go out for bid. We are in negotiations with Tacoma Public Utilities on acquiring the right of entry to drill the new well on the property where the Water Treatment Building is located. This site reduces the distance needed between the well and treatment location but requires Tacoma Pierce County Health Department approval of a variance to the wellhead protection radius area from 100’ down to 75’. 
• An application was submitted to WA Department of Ecology for new groundwater rights to go with the new well.  DOE has provided us a checklist of the items needed to address in the well drilling project.
• We met with our Tribal Relations Manager regarding Government to Government relations on the new well project. Information was provided on this project.

Funding

• We applied for additional funding from the WA Department of Health Emergency Grant.  The application has been received by DOH and is in the process of being reviewed.  DOH expects to issue a decision about awarding this grant in a few months.
• Fire System
• We met with Graham Fire & Rescue and the Pierce County Fire Marshal regarding the Kapowsin Water District fire system.  We evaluated how much flow could be taken from the water system without any negative impacts to the drinking water supply. The engine driven fire pump was tested and functions properly. The hydrant at the end of 296th was used to flush the line.  After running the pump and flushing until the water was clear, all bags were removed from the hydrants in the system except for the damaged hydrant on the east end of Griggs Rd. Valley is exercising each hydrant just to be certain they function properly.
• We evaluated the potential to make automations to the fire pump system, but it is too costly right now. We are exploring additional grant opportunities to help pay for fire system upgrades.

Maintenance & Operations

• Valley Water District mailed a copy of the Annual Customer Report to each customer and submitted the required annual DOH report. You can also view the report for Rainer View Water Company which is the water used for trucking while the transmission line was broken here.
• We met with DOH regarding water quality sampling at KWD.  We then authorized Valley Water District to install one distribution sampling station so that they have a water quality withdrawal point that is not subject to contamination.
• There was a break in the valve that brings the raw water into the water treatment plant (click here to view a picture). VWD made emergency repairs and we have authorized VWD to replace these plastic fittings with new ductile iron components that will be less susceptible to breaking under the pressure flowing through this point.  

May 3
Community Meeting — Wednesday, May 2, 2018 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kapowsin Elementary Multipurpose/Commons room, 10412 264th St. E., Graham, WA .

• Meeting handout 1
• Meeting handout 2
• Meeting minutes
• Flyer
  

April 25
A community meeting is planned to discuss the Kapowsin water system and bring customers up to date on the this ongoing project to provide a long-term more sustainable solution of a new groundwater source. Flyershave been sent to customer's homes.

March 23
Testing results of the drinking water was received and residents are no longer on a boil water advisory.

March 15
Pierce  County Sewer Division maintenance and operations staff located and repaired the break in the surface water source transmission line. Valley Water District, the system operator, will perform start up procedures, do water quality sampling, and make sure the plant is operating properly. Valley hopes to have the spring source back on line Monday morning, March 19, 2018.  

Boil Water Advisory Beginning Monday, March 19, and until further notice, you are advised to boil water for 1 minute at a rolling boil then let the water cool before using.  This Boil Water Advisory is in place until Valley Water District is confident the distribution system and treatment plant are working properly. This advisory is a precaution and is being issued for your protection. Please contact your doctor if you experience one or more of these symptoms:  nausea, cramps, diarrhea, jaundice, headache and/or fatigue.  People with chronic illnesses, infants and the elderly may be at a higher risk and should seek medical advice.

If you have additional questions regarding this matter please contact Sean Vance or Brian Thompson at VWD at 253-841-9698. 

March 6
We are making progress on funding sources. On February 6, 2018 Pierce County received a letter from USDA-Rural Development indicating the application for the $500,000 emergency grant for Kapowsin Water District receivership was approved and funds have been set aside for the new well project. Pierce County also submitted grant applications with both WA Department of Health (State Revolving Fund-emergency funding) and Pierce County Human Services (Community Development Block Grant).

Pierce County met with their engineering consultant who is preparing the scope, schedule and budget for the Kapowsin project which includes a new groundwater source. We continue to investigate the feasibility of repairing the broken transmission line, however, for now we continue trucking in water and rates remain at $150/month. 

In mid-February, Graham Fire and Rescue requested the County to place a bag over the fire hydrants in the water district while they are inoperable. The fire hydrants will remain bagged until the fire flow system is fully operational.

Pierce County plans to provide a more formal status update to the KWD customers in late March or early April. In the meantime, check here for updated information.

January 10
Valley Water District filed a Creditor’s Proof of Claim against Kapowsin Water District in Pierce County Superior Court on January 10, 2018 in the amount of $87,627.03. This claim will be addressed as part of the receivership process.