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AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Snoqualmie Water System Plan dated November 2023.

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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 Snoqualmie's last water system plan was approved in 2013.  King County regulations require water system plans to be updated every six years.

3.  The city of Snoqualmie'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-210, F-231 through F-254, that call for consistency with other adopted plans, support for regional water supply planning, pursuit of reclaimed water, water conservation, and protection of water resources.

5.  K.C.C. chapter 13.24 requires the utilities technical review committee to review and make a recommendation to the King County executive and council on the plan, the requirements under K.C.C. chapter 13.24, and consistency with the King County Comprehensive Plan.  The utilities technical review committee has reviewed the planning data and system operations and has found:

  a.  The growth projections in the plan are not currently consistent with the growth targets adopted through the 2021 King County Countywide Planning Policies.  The city adopted Resolution No 1680 which seeks a revised 2044 housing growth target and formally requests a King County reconciliation of the established target.  Furthermore, the plan states it will be reviewed in the future for consistency with the city's required Growth Management Act comprehensive plan update;

  b.  A portion of the system's service area is in unincorporated King County;

  c.  The plan identifies a water source capacity deficiency by 2030.  Additional information was provided to the utilities technical review committee relative to the city's water supply that is not currently in the plan which illustrates the projected annual water usage is greater than the actual annual water usage by the system, and there does not appear to be an increase in water usage despite an increased population;

  d.  The Washington state Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water correspondence notes that the water system will have a source capacity deficiency by 2030 that will need to be resolved in a subsequent water system plan that is reviewed and approved prior to 2030;

  e.  The plan is consistent with applicable Washington state water quality laws; and

  f.  The plan is consistent with other pertinent county adopted plans and policies.

6.  Washington state Department of Health approval is pending upon King County's approval of the plan.

7.  Under the State Environmental Policy Act, the city completed an environmental checklist and issued a SEPA Addendum on March 6, 2023, to the DNS issued on June 25, 2012, for adoption of the 2012 Snoqualmie water system plan.

8.  The city's operations, facilities, and planning meet the requirements of the King County Code and takes affirmative steps to achieve consistency with the King County Comprehensive Plan through a request to amend the city's growth targets as adopted through the King County Countywide Planning Policies.  The utilities technical review committee has recommended approval of the plan through the year 2030 and subject to a subsequent water plan being reviewed and approved before 2030.

                     BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:

                     SECTION 1.  The city of Snoqualmie Water System Plan dated November 2023, Attachment A to this ordinance, is hereby approved as a comprehensive water system plan through the year 2030.