Wenatchee Council approves $1.875 million for temporary Okanagan Reservoir repairs

William Weems, supervisor in the Wenatchee water department, told the City Council the city discovered a leak last September that was losing about 1,000,000 gallons a day and asked the council to approve temporary repairs to a 4,000,000-gallon reservoir.

“This project will complete four major repairs to the 4,000,000 gallon reservoir,” Weems said, listing joint replacement, low-pressure grout injection, membrane roof repair and concrete spalling work. He said the city took the reservoir out of service, consulted two engineering firms that reached the same repair recommendations, and called the work vital to wildfire resiliency, safe drinking water and capacity for growth.

Staff estimated the temporary repair project at $1,875,000 to be paid from the city’s 401 fund. Weems said the city had been purchasing replacement water at about $900 per day to make up for the loss, costing roughly $320,000 a year and pushing the system beyond allowable water-loss thresholds.

Council Member Harold moved to approve the project budget for City Project Number 2606, with Council Member Miller seconding. The council approved the project by voice vote.

The council’s action authorized staff to proceed with temporary repairs. Council members asked no substantive follow-up questions during the meeting; the project schedule and contractor selection details were not specified at the meeting.