Drafter
Clerk 01/20/2026
Title
AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Auburn Water System Plan dated July 2025.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. King County has adopted K.C.C. chapter 13.24, which requires approval of comprehensive plans for water and sewer utilities that provide service in unincorporated King County as a prerequisite for operating in unincorporated King County, receiving approval for annexation proposals, being granted right of way franchises, and being given approval for right of way construction permits. K.C.C. chapter 13.24 prescribes the requirements for approval of such plans, including consistency with state and local planning requirements.
2. The city of Auburn's last water system plan was approved in 2016.
3. The city of Auburn's water system has a service area within unincorporated King County and has adopted a water comprehensive plan update ("the plan").
4. King County has adopted a Comprehensive Plan that includes water supply policies in its provisions for facilities and services, which are policies F-306, F-402, F-406, F-480, F-483, F-494, and F-497 through F-500, that call for consistency with other adopted plans, support for regional water supply planning, pursuit of reclaimed water, water conservation, timely and reasonable water service, and protection of water resources.
5. K.C.C. chapter 13.24 requires the utilities technical review committee to review the requirements in K.C.C. chapter 13.24, to determine the plan's consistency with the King County Comprehensive Plan, and to make a recommendation to the King County executive and council on the plan. The utilities technical review committee has reviewed the planning data, service area policies, and system operations and has found:
a. The plan utilizes growth projections reflective of the adopted zoning and growth targets;
b. A portion of the system's service area is in unincorporated King County;
c. The capital facility plan is adequate to meet anticipated facility and service needs;
d. The plan is consistent with applicable Washington state water quality laws; and
e. The plan is consistent with other pertinent county adopted plans and policies.
6. Washington state Department of Health approval is pending upon the King County council's approval of the plan.
7. Under the State Environmental Policy Act, the city completed an environmental checklist on August 15, 2024, and issued a Determination of Nonsignificance for the plan on October 8, 2024. There were no appeals.
8. The city's operations and facilities meet multiple existing statutory, administrative, and planning standards. As the city's operations, facilities, and planning meet King County Code requirements and are consistent with the King County Comprehensive Plan, the utilities technical review committee has recommended approval of the plan.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. The city of Auburn 2024 Water System Plan dated July 2025,
Attachment A to this ordinance, is hereby approved as a comprehensive water system plan.