Thurston County moves to strengthen water supply networks 

Dana Passage Water System and Woodard Place Water Company secured franchise approvals from the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Tuesday, March 18, to construct, operate, and maintain water distribution infrastructure within county rights-of-way. 

After reviewing the proposals in public hearings with no recorded dissent, the board approved the franchises that were backed with county staff recommendations. 

Dana Passage Water System 

The first hearing addressed Dana Passage Water System’s request for franchise rights over a pipeline network spanning numerous roads. 

County Engineer Matt Unzelman laid out the system’s footprint and infrastructure. 

“The existing system has 79 water connections and nearly three miles of PVC pipe,” he said.  

The distribution network extends through Island View Court NE, Island View Drive NE, Willow Drive NE, 85th Avenue NE, Danna Street NE, Evergreen Drive NE, 83rd Court NE, 84th Court NE and 85th Court NE. 

The county engineer also confirmed that public works staff had evaluated the application and recommended approval. He also stated that “no public comments were submitted before the hearing.” 

Thurston Public Utility District (PUD) Assistant General Manager Julie Parker affirmed the district’s support for the franchise. 

“I just wanted to let the board know that Thurston Public Utility District is in support of this application for franchise. We have no comments on it. We are working with the Dana Passage Water System. They are looking at potentially joining the PUD in the future to be their water manager, and we fully support this franchise agreement,” she shared. 

Following brief deliberations, the BoCC noted that no written comments or public testimony had been voiced opposing the application. The board then moved to close the public hearing and approve the application. The motion passed unanimously. 

Commissioner Carolina Mejia expressed gratitude for the patience shown by the applicants and the collaboration between county staff and community members.  

“I would like to thank the community members for Dana Passage, as you know they’re working through this process. Thank you for your patience and just very thankful for the collaboration that’s happened," she said.

Woodard Place Water Company 

In the second hearing, Woodard Place Water Company sought a franchise agreement to place a pipeline beneath South Bay Road, north of 26th Avenue. 

Unzelman further explained the proposal’s particulars. 

“It connects a residence to community well system on the other side of the road. Staff have reviewed the application and are recommending the Board of County Commissioners proceed with granting this application,” he stated. 

Yet again, no members of the public attended to speak, and no written feedback was submitted. The BoCC then took a final vote on a “10-year nonexclusive franchise” for the entity, approving it unanimously. 

Following the two approvals, Mejia acknowledged the joint effort that brought both applications to completion. 

“I would just like to thank Matt and the staff at Public Works for working with the community members … I know that a lot of work has gone into this and a lot of communication,” she said.