The plant is designed to increase the city's water treatment capacity from 20-million gallons per day to 42-million gallons per day. In addition, the city says 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. Much of the plant is above flood stage and the portions below flood stage are protected from flooding.
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.
Steve Berentson photo. Steve has a photo blog at Anacortes Today.