City Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer said, however, "The plant isn't finished yet, but it's producing water now."
Once completed, the plant is designed to increase the city's water treatment capacity from the current 20-million gallons per day to 42-million gallons per day. In addition, the plant wil result in better water quality and improved system reliability. There will be three emergency generators to keep the plant running in case of a long-term power outage.
In addition, much of the plant is above flood stage and the portions below flood stage are protected from flooding. Buckenmeyer has said, "This site could flood and we’ll have minimal effect.” He said that seven days' worth of diesel fuel will be stored on the site, "As much fuel as a small gas station."
The plant is located in the Riverbend area of Mount Vernon, on the east bank of the Skagit River. It is entirely paid for by water users. No tax money went into construction. In addition to serving the residents of Anacortes, the city sells water to the Shell and Tesoro refineries, the town of La Conner, Skagit PUD, the city of Oak Harbor, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and the Swinomish Tribal Nation.
The prime contractor on the plant's construction is IMCO General Construction of Bellingham.