Water/sewer update: ARPA‑funded projects moving forward; lead, PFAS and microplastics flagged
May 19, 2026 | Cowlitz County, Washington
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The county’s Water/Sewer presenter updated the board on recent capital work and impending regulatory changes. Staff said the Tower Road/Wanita Way booster pump station was completed in December 2025 at a construction cost of $1.36 million paid from ARPA funds, and Toutel wastewater treatment plant upgrades have an estimated final construction cost near $1.46 million with minor outstanding coating work to finish in the dry season.
Two projects—Shadow Mountain (an extension of the Toutel system) and Ryderwood—are moving toward bid in late June or early July. Shadow Mountain’s funding package includes about $1.0 million in ARPA and roughly $1.5 million in congressionally delegated funds with an engineer’s estimate near $2.9 million; Ryderwood carries a similar ARPA plus congressionally delegated funding mix and an engineer’s estimate above $2 million.
On regulatory matters, staff said the county completed a service‑line inventory under the EPA’s revised lead and copper rules and identified about 36 service connections under county control that may contain lead or galvanized materials. A replacement plan for those service lines must be developed by Nov. 1, 2027, with up to 10 years to implement replacements.
Staff also described PFAS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) monitoring and response: systems with detections face more frequent testing and public‑education requirements, and exceeding maximum contaminant levels would require a treatment plan. The presenter warned that PFAS show up in biosolids and therefore may affect downstream treatment and reuse practices.
Finally, microplastics were listed as an emerging contaminant to monitor; staff said technologies and regulatory thresholds are still developing and the county will track research and likely future requirements.
Water/Sewer staff said consumer confidence reports for 2025 are in process and will be posted to the county website when complete.
Two projects—Shadow Mountain (an extension of the Toutel system) and Ryderwood—are moving toward bid in late June or early July. Shadow Mountain’s funding package includes about $1.0 million in ARPA and roughly $1.5 million in congressionally delegated funds with an engineer’s estimate near $2.9 million; Ryderwood carries a similar ARPA plus congressionally delegated funding mix and an engineer’s estimate above $2 million.
On regulatory matters, staff said the county completed a service‑line inventory under the EPA’s revised lead and copper rules and identified about 36 service connections under county control that may contain lead or galvanized materials. A replacement plan for those service lines must be developed by Nov. 1, 2027, with up to 10 years to implement replacements.
Staff also described PFAS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) monitoring and response: systems with detections face more frequent testing and public‑education requirements, and exceeding maximum contaminant levels would require a treatment plan. The presenter warned that PFAS show up in biosolids and therefore may affect downstream treatment and reuse practices.
Finally, microplastics were listed as an emerging contaminant to monitor; staff said technologies and regulatory thresholds are still developing and the county will track research and likely future requirements.
Water/Sewer staff said consumer confidence reports for 2025 are in process and will be posted to the county website when complete.
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