Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Water and sewer systems in Boston Harbor and Tamoshan have been reinforced through a series of infrastructure upgrades designed to strengthen service reliability and protect Puget Sound from contamination.
In a statement issued on Friday, Oct. 24, the county said the improvements stem from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a federal program enacted to aid communities recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The county allocated its share of the ARPA funds to modernize the water and sewer systems in Boston Harbor and Tamoshan.
The funding prevented higher charges on customers, who would have carried the full expense of the upgrades without this support.
The Boston Harbor improvements were recognized during a community event held on Oct. 15. More than 6,000 feet of new water main now runs through Boston Harbor, replacing lines that once lost up to 15% of flow through leaks.
Septic tank effluent pump tanks were replaced to stabilize wastewater movement, and lightweight lockable lids were installed to improve safety and prevent saltwater from entering the system.
The Tamoshan system was inaugurated on Oct. 20, following a full rebuild of water service connections from main to meter.
Thurston County Public Works personnel inserted a protective liner through the sewer lines to block leaks and prevent collapse, while a continuous high-density polyethylene pipe replaced the old ravine crossing to reinforce reliability.
“These projects are about more than pipes and pumps,” said Thurston County Board of County Commissioners Chair Tye Menser at the completion event in Tamoshan.
“They’re about protecting the environment, improving reliability, and investing in the future of our communities. Whether you live in Boston Harbor, Tamoshan, or downtown Olympia, Thurston County is committed to finding creative funding solutions that benefit everyone.”
Meanwhile, Commissioner Carolina Mejia, who spoke during the Boston Harbor recognition, said the funding prevented higher charges on households and strengthened compliance with environmental standards.
“By investing American Rescue Plan Act dollars to update a 40-year-old system, we’re showing how federal and local partnerships deliver real benefits for taxpayers,” she said.
“Federal funding helps local governments like Thurston County meet future environmental standards, show our commitment to environmental stewardship, and mitigate costs our rate payers would otherwise have to pay.”
County Public Works Director Karen Weiss said the two projects show how targeted infrastructure investment supports long-term environmental protection.
“These projects show what happens when federal investment, local leadership, and dedicated staff come together,” Weiss said. “I’m grateful to our (Thurston County) Board of County Commissioners for prioritizing these projects and to our (Thurston) County Public Works staff for their hard work and dedication.”
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The_Armed_Gardener
The main benefit of living in the county is that it is outside of the city limits of Olympia. It's easier to get a fix in that crumbling city than to get anything fixed. In fact, just put a needle in your arm or toe, and they will throw money at you, then drop off an election ballot with a hug and a reach around.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Report this
BobJacobs
This is an obvious gain for the environment. But the question of who pays is not as easy. The state Growth Management Act is designed to concentrate development in dense cities in order to reduce costs and save natural areas. Subsidies to rural development obviously undermine the Growth Management Act. School busing from remote locations does the same is another example of this. Should the people who choose to live in remote, sparsely developed areas pay their own way? These are difficult choices for our elected officials.
Bob Jacobs
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Report this
NiteOwl
Where is Tamoshan?
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Report this