Published March 11 2015
Also, upcoming EIS, analysis for Energize Eastside
The City Council on Monday provided feedback to help guide an update of the city's Water System Plan. Last revised in 2009, the plan provides a comprehensive overview of water system policies and operations, identifies challenges and opportunities, and develops recommendations.
Councilmembers endorsed a draft interest statement that will direct work on the plan, which seeks to ensure a reliable supply of high-quality drinking water that meets the community's needs in an environmentally responsible way.
The plan defines the city's water system policies, presents a snapshot of the current state of the Utilities Department's assets and practices, and determines what will be needed to meet the city's water needs over the next 20 years. Some of the policy areas to be reviewed include: customer service (such as water pressure and flow), emergency preparedness, fire protection and water quality.
The current plan was approved by the state Department of Health, which previously required an update every six years but recently changed the requirement to every 10 years.
Clean, safe, reliable drinking water is fundamental to the council's vision of a strong economy, quality neighborhoods and a healthy environment.
Work on the plan will continue in the coming months. The council is expected to review and approve a final version in late 2015. council agenda item
Energize Eastside EIS, analysis
Also on Monday, the council studied plans for an upcoming environmental review of Energize Eastside, a proposed project by Puget Sound Energy. The utility seeks to build higher-capacity (230-kilovolt) electrical transmission lines from Renton to Redmond, through Bellevue.
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for the Energize Eastside project is expected to begin in April or early May. An informational website on the EIS effort, detailing each step in the process, was launched late last week. A list of dates for the Phase 1 scoping period will be posted on the website in the near future.
Councilmembers have urged Bellevue residents to participate in the process, which will include public meetings and opportunities for written comments via email and mail.
The Energize Eastside EIS is being led by the City of Bellevue in cooperation with the jurisdictions of Kirkland, Newcastle, Redmond and Renton. Puget Sound Energy will pay for the EIS through a cost recovery agreement with the city. The final EIS is expected to take approximately two years to complete. More information is available in the council agenda material, and on the city's Electrical Facilities Planning page.
Also related to Energize Eastside, the council is scheduled to hear a presentation about the independent technical analysis, commissioned by the city, during its March 30 meeting. The analysis is intended to inform the EIS scoping process.