Water Resources

Rebuilding Water Resources For the Future

By Emily Sabisch

Background

Anacortes, Washington houses a large water treatment plant and houses the largest portable water source on the Skagit River (Buckenmeyer, F., 2014). The plant provides drinking water to Anacortes, Oak Harbor, La Conner; the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Skagit Public Utility District #1 and the Marathon and Shell oil refineries (McDaniel, n.d.; The Skagit Climate Science Consortium, n.d.). Between 42 to 55 million gallons of water are processed by the plant daily. This water serves an estimated 56,000 residential, industrial and commercial customers (City of Anacortes, 2008). Because of how impactful the plant is, accessibility and clean water are crucial. However, due to the climate crisis, there has been an increase in flooding, as well as increased sediment and saltwater intrusion levels which change the needs of the water being cleaned (Climate Change Adaptation Resource Center, 2021). These issues called for a rebuild of this water treatment plant between 2008 and 2013 (McDaniel, n.d.). Relocating the plant was considered, but it was deemed uneconomical (Climate Change Adaptation Resource Center, 2021).

Figure 1: Geographic location of Anacortes, Washington

Climate change brings many calamities. Due to the general warming of the atmosphere, disasters such as flooding have become more common. Anacortes is specifically susceptible to severe storms, flooding and earthquakes due to its location on the coast. Additionally, severe arctic winds, which influence changes in precipitation, are especially threatening to Anacortes (City of Anacortes, 2008). The Skagit River is likely to overflow and has lasting impacts on nearby communities, therefore, affecting the water plant.

In order to adapt to these effects of climate change, a rebuild of the water treatment plant was critical. The rebuild needed specific alterations to prevent future hazards. Due to the buildup, sediment removal was required. To prevent the buildup that was predicted to increase at this location more than in any other Puget Sound watershed, a ballasted sand removal system was put in place, and a dual train redundant sediment removal process was constructed. This meant that there was more repetition to ensure reliability (Buckenmeyer, 2014). Additional hazard reductions included implementing structural modifications to prepare for future flooding.

To do this, the levee height was raised, there was watertight construction and a waterproof membrane was added (City of Anacortes, 2008; The Skagit Climate Science Consortium, n.d.; Buckenmeyer, 2014). Ring dikes that improve water quality and dewatering pump systems were also designed to help adapt to flooding impacts. Additionally, the rebuild was designed to have no or minimal penetrations below the expected flood elevation, with an electrical switch gear located above the flood level (Climate Change Adaptation Resource Center, 2021). The City of Anacortes determined that the “flood zones shall be regulated to protect human life, property, and the public health and safety of the citizens of Anacortes; minimize the expenditure of public money; and maintain the city’s flood insurance eligibility while avoiding regulations which are unnecessarily restrictive or difficult to administer” (City of Anacortes, 2008).

Moving forward, keeping salinity in mind is crucial due to both the rising sea level and expected lower summer flows changing the saltwater wedge. Because saltwater is denser than freshwater, it moves upstream and forms a wedge (Buckenmeyer, 2014). Saltwater can leak into the water plant due to increased high tides from climate change. However, research has shown salinity levels are not an immediate concern (City of Anacortes, 2008).

This mitigation project took roughly 2.5 years and cost $56 million; it was completed in March 2013. A committee consisting of the Assistant City Engineer, Building Official, and Assistant Fire Chief led this project. The group worked with other agencies, Indian tribes, jurisdictions and the Skagit Natural Hazards Planning Committee (City of Anacortes, 2008). Research is ongoing to better understand the expected sediment load composition, which will inevitably increase up to 350% with climate change (Buckenmeyer, 2014). More outreach is predicted, including working directly with impacted individuals impacted such as farmers/water rights holders in order to identify climate change pressures. The advancement of hydrology, glacier melt, and sediment model is also being worked on (The Skagit Climate Science Consortium, n.d.). Adapting to climate change is an ongoing priority.

Figure 2: Map of the Skagit River

Reasons for Hope

This rebuild proves that the community is resilient. Additionally, prioritizing safe drinking water and public health is important to many. Anacortes immediately implemented changes to reduce damage from future flooding upon seeing harm. This includes many hazard reductions, like new filters being added to the water treatment plant (McDaniel, n.d.). The mitigation team, which was voted on by the local community, took action to support their community and produce a healthy environment.

Figure 3: Photo of Anacortes

Although climate change is daunting, activism is occurring to adapt to the damage it will bring. If flooding does emerge from the Skagit River, this Anacortes water treatment plant will be prepared and will be able to withstand it. Preventative measures against sediment buildup and saltwater intrusion are also in place to minimize the effects of climate change.

Preventative measures to fight future hazards are the key component to this success. This mitigation project demonstrates that while it is important to repair damages, having strategies in place to prepare for future damages is even more important. Minimizing possible destruction is essential, and this team displayed success in doing this. The new and improved water treatment plant in Anacortes is more efficient and has the potential to be long-lasting. Public drinking water will not be harmful even with the looming threat of climate change bringing flooding, saltwater intrusion, and an increase in sediment buildup. Anacortes is prepared and ready to fight against climate change.

Insights and applications

From this, we can learn to prepare for future disasters by having harm-reduction plans in place. It is crucial to stay resilient and prioritize community health despite climate change, just as Anacortes did. We should get to know the institutions, teams, and committees that affect our community’s public health, as they are the ones who have the power to research and implement adaptation plans.

Many harm reduction plans demonstrated by the Anacortes water treatment plant can be helpful to other water treatment plants that are most likely also affected by the climate crisis. Looking at the structural modifications and the technologies put in place by this mitigation committee could be beneficial to other committees focused on public health and wellness.

A lot of research and commitment had to be put into this water treatment rebuild. This begins at the educational level. Although the fight to adapt to climate change is not easy or quick, it is essential. Communities and committees can be inspired by Anacortes’ action and take notes of the ways they found a solution to their issue.

This mitigation project can be a model for all existing water treatment plants and many other applications. The damages of climate change are broad and affect many things; preventative actions to minimize risks from increased disasters can be implemented in various places and ways. This could look like supporting small, low-income communities that are feeling the brunt of climate change. This could even look like holding large corporations accountable for their emissions in order to prevent larger-scale climate change effects.

Resilience and persistence are key. We cannot stop fighting for the earth we deserve.

Date: Fall 2022

Location: Mount Vernon, Washington

Tags: Science and Technology, Policy and Law