The future of city water

Published May 16, 2012 / by Steve Berentson

Construction continues at the City of Anacortes Water Treatment Plant on the Skagit River in Mount Vernon. This $57 million expansion project is by far the largest and most expensive capital project the city has undertaken, noted Mayor Dean Maxwell recently. In fact, it may be the largest publicly funded non-transportation project ever in Skagit County. Plant improvements began in January 2011, with completion anticipated in the spring of 2013. Improvements include new pretreatment and filter facilities, clear wells, intermediate and high service pump stations, a new chemical building and standby generators that will run the facility in the event of a power disruption. When construction is complete, the plant will have a capacity of 42 million gallons per day (MGD) with the potential to produce 55 MGD.

About Steve Berentson
A fourth generation Skagit County native who was moved kicking and screaming from this island community in 1960. I finally reclaimed an Anacortes address in 1980, and I have been in constant celebration of my return since that time. Many of us who call Anacortes home love Fidalgo Island for its natural assets: among them are rugged beaches, pristine lakes, thousands of acres of forestland and some awesome views of the Skagit Valley and surrounding islands. Another element of my love affair with this community is its people, both natives and immigrants. They will “star” in many of my journal entries.

Comments are closed.