Council reviews Lynnwood's updated 2026 water system plan, staff outlines $53 million investment

Lynnwood staff on Monday presented an updated 2026 Water System Plan calling for phased infrastructure upgrades and rate changes to preserve reliable drinking water service as the city grows. Public Works Manager Asan Sherkani said the plan uses hydraulic modeling and policy review to identify projects and prioritize those that improve fire flow, replace failure‑prone pipe materials and address reservoirs and booster stations.

"Over the next 10 years, the city plans to invest approximately $53,000,000 in water system improvements," Sherkani said during the presentation. The plan, which staff described as the city's 10‑year capital framework, assumes coordinated growth with Everett and Alderwood and will be submitted to the Department of Health after council adoption.

Staff told the council Lynnwood is primarily a distribution system that purchases treated water wholesale from Alderwood Water & Wastewater District and Everett; treatment operations occur before water reaches the city. Projected population and employment growth concentrated near City Center and Alderwood Mall are expected to increase demand substantially, and the plan models a potential rise to roughly 165% of 2022 demand by the plan horizon without additional conservation.

Councilors questioned rate timing and affordability. Public Works Director Jared Bond and Sherkani said Lynnwood will phase rate increases, reevaluate rates regularly, and prioritize urgent, high‑failure assets—older steel mains and PRVs—while seeking cost savings (for example using in‑house crews for some work or coordinating with private development and Sound Transit projects).

The plan identifies a prioritized project list and a financial strategy combining water rates, connection charges, reserves and targeted debt financing. Staff estimated the program of identified improvements for 2025–2034 at about $50 million and emphasized the need to maintain reserves and monitor emerging regulations such as PFAS standards. The council reserved final questions for the adoption hearing and directed staff to return with any clarifications on rate phasing and annexation implications.