BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — The city will seek up to $4.8 million in state-administered financing to rehabilitate a primary Winslow water-source well, add manganese treatment and improve pumps and controls.
The City Council authorized the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund application Nov. 10 as part of a consent agenda approved 6-0. The authorization does not award funding, increase the project’s budget or commit the city to accepting a loan.
The Head of the Bay Well Site Improvement Project had about $1.347 million identified in the city’s capital plan, according to the public works staff report. The larger application reflects an expanded scope that combines well rehabilitation, treatment and related equipment improvements.
The updated estimate also includes engineering, permitting, construction and contingency costs. Consulting costs are higher than originally anticipated, the report said, and staff will continue refining the estimate during assessment and design.
Public works staff said applying by Nov. 30 gives the city a chance to seek surplus federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law money for emerging contaminants before that funding declines in 2027.
The state Department of Health has preliminarily indicated that the manganese treatment work and related improvements may qualify, according to the staff report. Potential terms include a 20-year construction loan at 2.25% interest with a 1% loan fee and possible principal forgiveness after completion.
Those terms and any forgiveness are not guaranteed. If the state offers financing, staff would return to the council with an evaluation of the award, remaining costs and any necessary budget or capital-plan changes before acceptance.
The council also designated Assistant Public Works Director Tom Edwards as the city’s main contact for submitting the application.
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