Chapter 1: Executive Summary

This Water System Plan (WSP) for the Public Utility District No. 1 of Skagit County has been developed according to Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-290-100, which requires that public water systems submit a water system plan to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) every 6 years.

Chapter 2: System Description

As described in this chapter, Skagit PUD operates the most expansive water system in the county with over 23,000 active service connections. The majority of the PUD's services are within the Judy Reservoir System (Judy System), Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Public Water System Identification (PWSID) 79500E, which serves Mount Vernon, Burlington, and Sedro-Woolley and surrounding rural and suburban areas.

Chapter 3: Related Plans, Agreements & Policies

Skagit PUD's water delivery process to its customers has been developed over many years in the context of various agreements, plans, and policies that address water management in Skagit County. This chapter describes key agreements and plans that influence the PUD's water service policies and provides information about the PUD's authority and responsibility to provide water.

Chapter 4: Planning Data & Water Demand Forecasting

This chapter discusses the planning data and water demand forecast information used to assess the current and future capabilities of Skagit PUD’s water system. It summarizes historical and projected population trends in the PUD's water service area and water use characteristics, including production, consumption, and related factors used to develop the PUD's demand forecast for the 20-year planning period.

Chapter 5: Water Use Efficiency

The purpose of this chapter is to provide information on state-mandated conservation requirements for municipal water suppliers, the Skagit PUD's level of compliance with those requirements, the current water use efficiency program adopted by the PUD, and the water use efficiency program the PUD will implement from 2014 through 2019.

Chapter 6: System Analysis

This chapter provides an evaluation of Skagit PUD's water system components from source to customer taps and the ability to meet current and projected water supply needs. Hydraulic modeling was performed to identify system deficiencies and generate recommended system upgrades for inclusion in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Chapter 7: System Reliability, Water Rights & Source Water Protection

This chapter provides information about water system reliability, including water rights, water supply, and source water protection for the Skagit PUD's water system.

Chapter 8: Water Quality

This chapter reviews current federal and state drinking water regulations in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and evaluates Skagit PUD’s compliance for the 6-year period from 2007 through 2012. This chapter also discusses upcoming regulations and their impact on the utility.

Chapter 9: Operations & Maintenance

This chapter summarizes the programs and procedures used to ensure the safe and reliable supply of potable water to Skagit PUD customers. It describes water system management and personnel, operator certification requirements, system operations, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and telemetry systems, asset management, the emergency response program, safety procedures, the cross-connection control program, the records keeping and reporting program, design and construction standards, and any recommended improvements.

Chapter 10: Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

This chapter describes the methods used in developing the Skagit PUD's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Chapter 11: Financial Plan

Skagit PUD's financial consultant, the FCS GROUP, prepared this chapter to provide a financial program that will allow the PUD to remain financially viable during the planning period. This financial viability analysis considers the historical financial condition, current and identified future financial and policy obligations, operation and maintenance needs, and the ability to support the financial impact of the completion of the capital projects identified in this WSP.

Furthermore, this chapter reviews the utility’s current rate structure concerning rate adequacy, promotion of water conservation, and customer affordability. Appendix R presents backup documentation related to this financial plan.

Chapter 12: Satellite System Management