COUNCIL

DATE 2/24/09
AGENDA ITEM 5F

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Olympia, Washington
February 24, 2009

Intergovernmental Agreement with Thurston PUD for

Operation and Testing of an Artesian Well

CITY MANAGER’S
RECOMMENDATION: Option 1. Authorize the Mayor to sign an Intergovernmental
agreement with Thurston PUD for testing of artesian well water and
authorize the Mayor to sign such agreement subject to Thurston PUD
obtaining an agreement with Diamond Parking.

STAFF CONTACT: Rich Hoey, Director of Water Resources (360) 753-8495,

rhoey@ci.olympia.wa.us

ORIGINATED BY: Public Works Department

PRESENTERS AND
OTHERS NOTIFIED: This is a consent calendar item and no presentation is planned. Staff
notified the following entities:
• Thurston PUD
• Washington State Department of Health
• Thurston County Environmental Health
• It’s Still The Water – a newly formed community group

ATTACHMENTS: 1. Intergovernmental Agreement with Thurston PUD

BUDGET IMPACT/
SOURCE OF FUNDS: The estimated annual budget impact is expected to vary and could
range from $300 to $1,000 depending on the frequency of testing
required by Washington State Department of Health. The proposed
source of funds is the Drinking Water Utility. The existing operating
budget for water quality testing in 2009 is sufficient to handle these
additional expenses.

PRIOR COUNCIL/
COMMITTEE REVIEW: None.

BACKGROUND: Artesian wells have a long history in downtown Olympia. Many of the
early businesses in downtown were supplied by artesian wells. One
well, located at the corner of Jefferson Street and Fourth Avenue in a
parking lot owned by Diamond Parking Service, Inc, has been used by
the public for decades as a source of drinking water.

For approximately 10 years, the Friends of the Artesians, a group of

community members supporting publicly accessible artesian wells,
 graciously supported the on-going costs of operation and testing of the
well by a state-certified operator. In November, 2008 the Friends of
Artesians announced that they were disbanding and would no longer
pay for operation and testing of the well after February, 2009. Failure
to continue this required testing would likely result in the closure of
the well by the Washington State Department of Health.

In response, City Councilmembers Joan Machlis and Craig Ottavelli,

together with City staff, met with representatives of Thurston Public
Utility District (PUD) to discuss taking over operations and testing of
the well. This was followed by discussions with Diamond Parking
Service, Washington State Department of Health, and Thurston County
Environmental Health. Diamond Parking and health officials supported
City and PUD involvement.

Given the age and condition of the Diamond Parking well, state health
officials also reiterated their long-standing position that the continued
operation of the well be considered temporary until a new, better
constructed, well is developed. Both state and county health officials
highlighted the challenges of finding an adequate site for a well in
downtown, yet signaled their willingness to work collaboratively
towards a new well.

A newly formed community group called It’s Still The Water, is in the
stages of early organizing towards a new well. They will attempt to
pick up on the extensive efforts of the Friends of Artesians over the
past decade. Staff will be providing support to the new group.

ANALYSIS AND OPTIONS: Thurston PUD currently operates many water systems in Thurston and
surrounding counties. Under the proposed agreement, Thurston PUD
would add the artesian well to the list of water systems it operates.
The PUD’s responsibilities would include collection of all required
water quality samples and other actions as needed under state
regulations. PUD and Diamond Parking are negotiating an agreement to
formally document the PUD’s role as the certified operator of the well.
The negotiations are proceeding as of this date and the City’s
agreement with the PUD would be executed after the PUD and Diamond
Parking reach an agreement.

Given the well’s prominent location in downtown and importance for

many City residents, Olympia would pay for the laboratory costs
associated with water quality testing.

One of the City Council’s top ten goals for 2009 is support the
preservation of an artesian well in downtown Olympia. This agreement
will allow the existing Diamond Parking well to remain accessible to the
public while a new replacement well is sought.

Option 1: Authorize the Mayor to sign an Intergovernmental agreement with

Thurston PUD for operation and testing of an artesian well and
authorize the Mayor to sign such agreement subject to Thurston PUD
obtaining an agreement with Diamond Parking.

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 Implications
1. The artesian well located in the Diamond Parking Service lot would
remain open to the public.
2. The City and Thurston PUD would partner to provide a valued
service to the community.
3. Community efforts around the artesian well can be directed
towards the development of a new, more protected well in the
downtown.
4. Costs of laboratory testing will be borne by the Drinking Water
Utility.

Option 2: Seek private funding for on-going operation and testing of the well.

Implications
1. Some members of the community have expressed willingness to
support the on-going costs of well testing and operation. The
amount of money needed, however, does not appear to warrant
the staff time necessary to conduct fund raising and process
contributions.
2. Private funding may be better directed towards a new well.

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