EVERETT — The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to put $111 million toward construction of the Port Gardner Storage Facility in Everett.
With Wednesday’s vote, the city has committed $150.8 million to the project so far. When completed, it is expected to cost over $200 million. Most of the money comes from the city’s water and sewer utility fund, along with a $3.8 million grant from the state Department of Ecology.
The city’s public works department is pursuing additional grants to reduce the local cost, a city document said.
The Port Gardner Storage Facility has been in the works for more than a decade. When built, it will help prevent combined sewer overflows, which occur when intense rainfall strains the city’s sewer system, sending wastewater into the Snohomish River or Port Gardner Bay. Because the sewer system at the north end of the city uses combined sewer systems — which collect rainwater, sewage and wastewater in the same pipes — those overflows contain bacteria and debris that could harm people and animals, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Building the new facility will help store excess rainwater during major storms and remove pollutants before it reaches Port Gardner Bay.
Everett’s combined sewer system was mostly constructed between 1890 and 1963, according to the city. South Everett uses a separated sewer system, with different pipes for rainwater and sewage.
The facility will be built near Naval Station Everett at the site of the former Kimberly-Clark industrial wastewater treatment plant.
In 2015, the state Department of Ecology ordered the city to reduce its overflows as much as possible by 2027. The facility is set to be completed by that year.
The costs of the facility, along with other major infrastructure projects and an increase in construction costs, were reasons behind the city’s recent water and sewer rate increases. Combined water and sewer rates are set to rise 43% by 2028.
The city’s public works department is an enterprise fund, separate from the city’s general fund. Money for the department comes from rates, fees and grants, which can only be used for public works operations.
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect the city has committed $150.8 million toward the Port Gardner Storage Facility, not spent. The facility is also expected to cost over $200 million, not $200 million.
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
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