East 6th Street Well Project Secures Funding to Support Deer Park's Water Supply

The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) has awarded the City of Deer Park a $400,000 loan to fund the pre-construction phase of a new municipal well on East 6th Street.

The Park’s water future just got a major boost.

The project addresses a critical need for the city’s water system.

Currently, four of Deer Park’s eight existing wells have experienced significant drops in production capacity, with several others nearing the end of their operational life. The new well is designed to restore that lost production, ensuring the system remains reliable for residents and businesses.

This funding helps to take the crucial first steps toward restoring the long-term reliability of the water system.

The new well will not only help meet daily water demands but will also ensure adequate flow for fire protection and provide essential backup capacity.

The $400,000 loan will be used exclusively for pre-construction activities to prepare the project for a future construction bid. This detailed planning phase includes:

Hydrogeologic Analysis: Test drilling at potential sites, including East 6th Street, Mix Park, and near the storage lagoons, to confirm the best location for a viable water source.
Engineering and Design: Creating the preliminary and final designs for the well, well house, electrical controls, and generator systems.
Environmental Review: Completing the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review and other cultural resource assessments.
Permitting: Working with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to secure source approval and design review.
Construction Readiness: Developing final construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates to position the city for a future construction loan application.

The $400,000 pre-construction loan is part of a larger $4.9 million package awarded by the PWB to eight projects across Washington state. It has provided more than $3.8 billion to over 2,300 infrastructure projects statewide.

For Deer Park, it represents a strategic investment in the city’s infrastructure, designed to reduce long-term maintenance risks and secure the water supply for years to come.

We’ve all stopped for a flagger on a construction project but most of us haven’t stopped to think about the careful planning and design that leads to a successful project.
PWB pre-construction funding helps communities plan ahead. Thoughtful planning leads to better outcomes for projects and more benefits to the community.
PWB Chair Vince McGowan