What's New

	Frequently asked questions about discolored water		News Releases
	Free showerhead and faucet aerator		WaterSense
	WashWise Clothes Washer Rebates		Improving the Green River Watershed for fish
	Automated Meter Reading pilot		2007 Water Quality Report
	Upcoming water distribution improvements

Frequently asked questions about discolored water

Free Efficient Showerhead and Faucet Aerator

WashWise Clothes Washer Rebate Program

Tacoma Water offers customers rebates on qualified clothes washer models. Click on the WashWise image to the left for a list of qualifying models and rebate forms.

WaterSense

WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. EPA, makes it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment. Choose quality, water-efficient products that have the WaterSense label. Many products are available and don't require a change in your lifestyle. Explore the link below to learn about WaterSense labeled products, saving water, and how businesses and organizations can partner with WaterSense.

Automated Meter Reading Pilot Project

Tacoma Water is implementing a two-year pilot program to evaluate automated meter reading. The project began in early 2007 and will be installed in the Wapato Lake area between South 61^st  St. and South 72nd St. and between Alaska St. and Park Ave. For an update click here. For other background click here.

(click on map to view)

Tacoma Water takes historic first step toward improving Green River watershed for salmon

For the first time in nearly a century, Tacoma Water will release salmon into the upper Green River watershed—a move that will prepare that part of the river for salmon spawning and survival well into the future.

Salmon have not had access to the 100 miles of river and streams in the upper Green River since Tacoma Water built its system in 1911. With the completion of the Second Supply Project pipeline, Tacoma Water modified its system to allow for fish passage. It will now move fish that have swum up the newly constructed fish ladder into holding tanks to a fish transport truck for release into the upper watershed.

The Green River fisheries co-managers, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, have identified several goals for releasing salmon into the river:

• Provide nutrients to benefit the aquatic food chain and upper Green River watershed ecosystem.
   

• Begin turning over and cleaning streambed gravels to reduce fine sediment levels and improve conditions for egg incubation.
   

• Provide Tacoma Water staff the opportunity to operate its newly constructed adult fish passage facility.

Tacoma Water will initially release pink salmon into the upper Green River to test its fish passage facility, and may see passage of other types of fish in the future.  The timing of the passage of these salmon species depends upon the completion and evaluation of downstream fish passage facilities currently under construction at the Howard Hanson Dam.

Howard Hanson Dam is an Army Corps of Engineers flood control project located about three-and-a-half miles upstream of the Tacoma intake. The reservoir behind the dam is about four miles long. Tacoma Water will release the fish into the Green River upstream of the reservoir. The release is far enough away from the municipal water diversion that Tacoma Water anticipates no adverse impacts on drinking water quality.

A map of the Green River watershed is available upon request.

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Upcoming Water Distribution System Improvements

Older parts of Tacoma Water's distribution system date back to the late 1800s and have served the customers well for more than a century. Over time, materials wear out, and as pipelines deteriorate the likelihood of a of a leaking pipe or significant break that can disrupt service increases. Over time corrosion build-up in cast iron pipes can obstruct water flow and contribute to concerns about water quality.

Tacoma Water budgets almost $12.5 million every two years  to improve water system reliability and water flow, water quality and pressure by replacing mains in problem areas. Our goal is to replace water mains on a 100-year cycle.

Necessary construction work to implement improvements can result in temporary inconveniences to roadways and cause traffic congestion. Tacoma Water makes every effort to keep inconveniences to a minimum and appreciates your patience and understanding.

 As of Feb. 2008, the following projects are now under contract or are ready to advertise:

• North 1st and G (PRP2007-14) – joint project with Public Works

Prime Contractor: NW Cascade
      Start Date: Sept. 2007
      Completion Date: Feb. 2008

For more info contact: Ryan Flynn, (253) 396-3111

• Canyon Rd. East, from 144^th St. East to 116^th St. East and Pump Station (2005-17), Joint Project with Pierce County

Prime Contractor: SCI Infrastructure LLC
Start Date: May 2006
Completion Date: Feb. 2008

For more info contact: Chris Johnson, (253) 502-874

• Salishan Housing Project Phase II, Area 3 (MRP 2006-72) – joint project with Tacoma Housing Authority

Prime Contractor: Gary Merlino Co.
Start Date: Dec. 2007
Completion Date: April 2008

For more info contact: Chris Johnson, (253) 502-8743

• South of Delin St. Bridge at I-5 (2004-24D) – portion across bridge

            Prime Contractor: Kiewett – WSDOT contract
            Start Date:  Aug. 2007
            Completion Date: April 2008

For moreinformation contact: Chris Johnson, (253) 502-8743

• South L St., et al (MRP 2006-17), South 5^th St. to South 27^th St., joint project with sanitary and storm

Prime Contractor:  Northwest Cascade
      Start Date:  March 2008
      Completion Date:  Oct. 2008

For more info contact: Chris Johnson, (253) 502-8743

• Broadway Avenue, et al, LID (MRP 2004-8) joint project with Public Works

Advertise early Jan. 2008
Bid Open: Feb. 19, 2008

Prime Contractor:  TBD
Start Date:  March 2008
Completion Date:  Dec. 2009

      For more info contact: Chris Johnson, (253) 502-8743

• Stadium and Borough (MRP2007-09) –– Ryan Flynn

Advertise: Jan. 2008
Bid Open:  Feb. 19, 2008

Prime Contractor:  TBD
Start Date:  March 2008
Completion Date:  Dec. 2009

Tacoma Ave. from North First Street to North Sixth St.
Borough Rd. from Tacoma Ave. to Stadium Way
Stadium Way from North Third St. to Borough Rd.
800 Block of Stadium Way
North Seventh St. from North E St. to Borough Rd.
North Fifth St. from North G St. to North C St.
North C St. from Borough Rd. to Stadium Way
North D St. from Borough Rd. to Stadium Way
North E St. from Borough Rd. to Stadium Way

      For more info contact: Ryan Flynn, (253) 396-3111

• Elwood Drive West from 29^th St. West to 27^th St. West and 29^th St. West from Elwood Dr. West to Grandview Dr. West (PRP2007-60)

Advertise: Jan. 2008
Bid Open:  Feb. 19, 2008

Prime Contractor: TBD
Start Date: March 2008
Completion Date: Dec. 2009

For more info contact: Chris Johnson, (253) 502-8743

• SW 322nd and 40th Pl. SW – Federal Way Overlay 2008

Advertise: Jan. 2008
Bid Open: Feb. 19, 2008

Prime Contractor: TBD
Start Date: March 2008
Completion Date: Dec. 2009

For more info contact: Chris Johnson, (253) 502-8743

• South Tacoma Way, South 38^th to Lawrence (PRP2006-65) –

Advertise early Feb. 2008

Prime Contractor: TBD
      Start Date:  Feb. 2008
      Completion Date: Summer 2008

For more info contact: Ryan Flynn, (253) 396-3111

Design work is underway on the following projects:

• North 40^th from Baltimore to Bennett, North Mason from 35^th to 36^th, North Cheyenne from 37^th to 38th - Public Works LID8642 – Advertise –Feb. 2008 - Ryan Flynn

• North Washington from 16^th to 18^th, South Wapato from 50^th to 51st - Public Works  LID8643 – Advertise –Feb. 2008 - Ryan Flynn

• South 69^th St. from Madison to Proctor and Proctor from South 69th to 270 feet north (LID5727) – Advertise Feb. 2008 – Chris Johnson

• South Thompson (PRP2007-17) – Wright Ave to S. 35th St. and Wright Ave. from Pacific to C and final piece of Delin Street Bridge project – Advertise April 2008 - Chris Johnson

• North 30th – McCarver to Steele, (PRP2007-34) – Advertise Feb. 2008, Ryan Flynn

• 128^th and Woodland – Advertise – Feb. 08 – Chris Johnson

• Canyon Road – 176th St. E. to 160th St. E. (PRP2007-50) -  Advertise June 2008 – Chris Johnson

• Galvanized Main Replacement 2 – (MRP2007-37) –  Various Streets - Advertise July 2008 – Chris Johnson

• Tacoma Landfill Water Main Relocation at South 40th and Orchard St. (2004-36) Advertise March 2008 – Ryan Flynn

• Tyler Street, South 38th St. to South 56th St. (PRP 2006-63)  - Advertise – Spring 2009 – Ryan Flynn

• Hylebos Bridge (PRP 2006-64)  - Advertise to TBD– Chris Johnson

• 176th St. East – 38th Ave. to 51st Ave. E. (PRP2007-46) – Advertise Feb. 2009 – Ryan Flynn

• Martin Luther King – S. 3rd St. to S. 27th St. (MRP2007-43) – Advertise Jan. 2009

• 104th Ave. East and Portland – Advertise TBD - Chris Johnson

• East 64th St. and East F St.– Joe Eltrich

• South 64th and J– Chris Johnson – Spring 2008

• Fife Heights – new tap off Pipeline 5 – Chris Johnson  - TBD

• 115th and 117th –Joe Eltrich - TBD

• St. Helens LID II – Chris Johnson

• Palisades II – NE Tacoma - Chris Johnson

• Caledonia – Chris Johnson

For more info on these or other distribution main improvements contact Chris Johnson, (253) 502-8743, cjohnso2@cityoftacoma.org

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 Updated: August 18, 2008