Drafter
Clerk 04/23/2009
Title
AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Pacific 2008 Water System Plan.
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 distribute or obtain water, or provide sewer collection or treatment, 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. 13.24.060 prescribes the requirements for approval of such plans, including consistency with state and local planning requirements.
2. RCW 43.20.260 requires that water system plans for any new industrial, commercial or residential use be consistent with the requirements of any comprehensive plans or development regulations adopted under chapter 36.70A RCW or any other applicable comprehensive plan, land use plan or development regulation adopted by a city, town or county for the service area. King County has adopted a comprehensive plan that includes water supply and wastewater policies in its provisions for facilities and services (policies F-226 through F-254) that call for consistency with other adopted plans, support for regional water supply planning, pursuit of reclaimed water and water conservation\ and protection of water resources.
3. Both Washington state Department of Health ("DOH") and King County regulations require water system plans to be updated every six years; the city of Pacific ("the city") has been pursuing an update of its water system plan ("the plan") for the past several years.
4. The city's service area is located in the southwestern part of King County and the northernmost part of Pierce County and includes parts of unincorporated King County. In 2006, the city provided service to a population of 6,303, equating to 2,447 total equivalent residential units within its retail water service area. The projected annual average day demand (water consumed) for 2007 was approximately 0.62 million gallons per day, with peak day consumption (generally during the hottest summer/fall period) during the same time estimated to be approximately twice the average day demand.
5. The city's service area in King County remains the same as identified in the 1989 South King County Coordinated Water System Plan ("CWSP"). The purpose of the CWSP, which includes individual water system plans, is to identify present and future water service needs, and to set forth the means for meeting those needs. While the plan does not directly discuss the city's duty to provide service within its "retail water service area," it provides sufficient information to conclude that the city has both the intention and capacity to do so. The city will only provide water through direct service connection to the existing water system. The city has a policy specifically prohibiting satellite systems within its service area.
6. The city's plan identifies a set of measures that it has implemented to pursue water conservation within its service area, pursuant to DOH 1994 planning guidance. The plan notes that the city already collects water use data, the key to evaluating the effectiveness of any conservation or efficiency measures. The plan outlines a number of recommendations that the city should begin to implement to enable it to comply with the Water Use Efficiency Rule adopted by the DOH.
7. Pursuant to King County Comprehensive Plan policies F-208, F-211 and F-212, utilities that provide service in unincorporated King County must have financing strategies to show the ability to meet projected needs for facilities and services in accordance with the Growth Management Act and the King County Comprehensive Plan. The city's plan describes a six-year capital improvement program ("CIP") costing approximately $8,597,700. The city states that CIP projects will be funded by rates, general facilities charges, various grant and low-interest loan programs, and general obligation and revenue bonds. Total operating revenues for the city in 2006 were $1,140,636.
8. K.C.C. chapter 13.24 requires review of water system plans by the utilities technical review committee, and a recommendation made to the King County executive and council on the plan and 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 city operations and hereby finds:
a. The plan is consistent with population and employment forecasts developed by the Puget Sound Regional Council and demonstrates an ability to meet growth targets agreed to by the city under the Growth Management Act for its service area.
b. The plan appropriately uses King County land use classifications;
c. The capital facility plan is adequate to meet anticipated facility and service needs;
d. The plan is consistent with applicable state water quality laws, including the evaluation of reclaimed water use; and
e. The plan is consistent with other pertinent county adopted plans and policies.
9. The DOH has not yet approved the city's water plan, pending approval by King County. Approval from the DOH is expected after the King County council acts.
10. The city completed a state Environmental Policy Act checklist and issued a determination of nonsignificance for the issuance of the plan on March 3, 2008.
11. The city's operations and facilities meet multiple existing statutory, administrative and planning standards. As the city's operations, facilities and planning meet the requirements of the King County Code and are consistent with the King County Comprehensive Plan, the utilities technical review committee recommends approval of the plan.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. The City of Pacific 2008 Water System Plan, Attachment A to this ordinance, is hereby approved as a comprehensive water system plan.
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