Thursday, October 1, 2026
The City of Tumwater is set to reactivate the former wellfield that once supplied water for the Olympia Brewing Company with the installation of two wells on the site.
On April 21, the Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff to sign a $2.9 million contract with Schneider Equipment Inc. for the installation of two to three wells on Brewery Wellfield, a site at the northern end of Tumwater Valley, including parts of the city’s golf course.
The council is withholding $1 million from the contract, which will only be spent should the third well be deemed necessary to accomplish a target production rate.
Patrick Soderberg, Program Manager for the city’s Water Resources and Sustainability Department, said once the first two wells have been drilled, staff would have to conduct water quality and quantity tests to determine how much those two wells could produce. If those two wells fail to pump at least 4,343 gallons of water per minute, the third well would be authorized.
In response to a question about the why the city needs the additional water supply, Soderberg said the city is acting upon the findings of a study by Carollo Engineers that forecasts water needs.
The study shows the city has enough water for the next 15 to 20 years under moderate growth, and would only have to expand its infrastructure should a major water consumer arrive in the city.
A potential client would be Swire Coca-Cola, a bottling company, which is looking to set up shop at a facility at Olympia Regional Airport.
“This is our way of staying ahead of growth and ensuring that we have our infrastructure set up before we get to that need,” Soderberg said.
He was also asked about Olympia’s cover for the project since the city owns one-third of the water rights in the wellfield.
Soderberg explained Tumwater is solely responsible for the project since it is only drilling to obtain its share of the water. If the two initial wells have enough water for both cities, then Tumwater would have to enter an agreement with Olympia on how to share costs. Soderberg noted though that Olympia is currently not looking for more water.
Construction is expected to start in late summer or early fall. The project would take about six to nine months, depending on the need for the third well.
Since the location of all three wells is in the Tumwater Valley Golf Club, Soderberg was asked if the drilling would affect the golf course’s operations. Soderberg said they have a plan in place not to affect the players.
This project is going to be paid for by the Tumwater Water Utility Fund.
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KEW100
Let us all hope that the bottling company does happen.
Wednesday, April 29 Report this
KEW100
Ooops. Let us all hope that the bottling company does NOT happen.
Wednesday, April 29 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
And had the government allowed the brewery more water, it would still be operating. Common sense please.
Wednesday, April 29 Report this
chrispc2u
Coca Cola of any brand is nasty for your health, no stankyou. Buil a large scale micro brewery on the old Olympia brewery site instead.
Wednesday, April 29 Report this
mathisje
Olympia Brewery closed due to a takeover and the new owner, Miller, wanted a larger production facility.
Wednesday, April 29 Report this
CommonScense
Why would we want to waste the peoples water, our most precious resource, to make soft drinks etc. ? Siting this business in Thurston County is short sided, the county needs the water for the citizens of the county, not shipped out of county. Our water should not to be turned into unhealthy drinks that most of us will not be drinking. With climate change, water is going to only get more limited as the summers dry up. Let prioritize the use of it now!
Keep the water in the ground so others can use it to grow food.
Wednesday, April 29 Report this
Wesley
Waste the people's water? The resources belong to those who pay for them. If the bottler buys the water, what's the big deal?
Thursday, April 30 Report this
Snevets
I'm certainly glad that it's not a data center or an ICE facility.
Thursday, April 30 Report this
Olyrkrgrrl
It sounds like they are preparing to give the water to Swire CocaCola...and pretending that it will be to "ensure future water for the citizens". I don't know why we have to provide water for a company that produces products that are detrimental to human health. Have they also figured out how to accomodate our simple road system so that a plant could operate without ruining our roads? It seems shortshighted to just use the water because we can...why not NOT use it, and know that it might be there IF and WHEN it is needed, instead of squandering it.
Thursday, April 30 Report this
TheGreatAnon
Dear God people, Tumwater is securing water rights, not trying to rot your kid's teeth. And yeah, the future employers of your rug rats will use water.
Thursday, April 30 Report this