Summer Construction Project Provides Upgrades to Water System  

Beginning approximately June 3, construction will begin on the Sapp/Rural/Linwood Water System Improvement Project. These improvements will not only upgrade old and under-sized water mains, they will also create several efficiencies in the water delivery system to improve water service, even pressures throughout the service area, and save significant dollars in annual energy costs.

Homes and neighborhoods in the impacted zone will experience interruptions in traffic and water service throughout the summer. Although interruption will be kept to a minimum, several road closures are anticipated in order to complete the work. A project overview will be mailed to those homes and businesses in the construction zone, see attached map of impacted project area. 

The total cost of the project is estimated to be $1.5 million with the majority of funds coming from the water utility's capital facilities fund and approximately $50,000 in fees derived from fiber conduit leases.

Work is expected to begin on June 3rd, with project completion by the end of September.

Those interested in receiving project updates and notifications for anticipated interruptions are encouraged to sign up to receive the City's Construction Alerts and Updates email list (link below). Project updates will be available on the City's website throughout the summer as well. For more information, please call (360) 754-4140. 

The City of Tumwater has a commitment to sustainability, both in our City services and in our community. Last year, we conducted energy assessments on city facilities, partnered with Thurston Energy to encourage home energy audits, and along with Puget Sound Energy, conducted energy conservation visits to many Tumwater businesses.

As a result of this work, we've installed more efficient lighting at City Hall, and are in the process of upgrading the heating system in conjunction with the Police Department expansion.  And we've partnered with the Timberland Regional Library and Friends of the Tumwater Library to add a 2nd door to the library entrance to keep the heat in and the cold air out.  We think this work not only makes business sense, it also helps protect the environment, and makes our city more resilient to future increases in energy costs.

Our staff continue to look for opportunities to reduce our community's energy usage and use more sustainable forms of energy.  That's why we have decided to take on Puget Sound Energy's Green Power Challenge for 2013. Over 450 of your friends and neighbors already participate by buying green power.  If another 100 Tumwater households and businesses sign up for PSE's Green Power program by December 31, our city will earn $20,000 for a solar demonstration project. Tumwater is competing with Anacortes, Kirkland, Snoqualmie, and Bainbridge to enroll the highest percentage of new participants. If we do that we'll earn $20,000 more, for a total of $40,000. That's enough green to make Tumwater even more sustainable! 

To learn more, visit the City of Tumwater website.