Anacortes advances seismic retrofit study for vulnerable raw water intake station

Anacortes advances seismic retrofit study for vulnerable raw water intake stationThe Washington city has awarded HDR Engineering a $158,700 contract to evaluate foundation retrofit alternatives for its 1970s-era intake pump station, which is at risk of failure during a major earthquake.

The city council approved a $158,700 contract with HDR Engineering to analyze foundation retrofit options for the Anacortes Water Treatment Plant intake station.

A 2025 condition assessment found the facility's pilings would fail during a 2021 International Building Code design seismic event, which would interrupt the city's entire water supply.

Water System Manager Terry Niemeth stated the retrofit strategy is intended to avoid the estimated $20 million to $30 million cost of a full facility replacement.

Any selected retrofit alternative must allow the intake station to remain operational throughout the construction process.

The City of Anacortes, Washington, is moving forward with plans to seismically retrofit its only raw water intake pump station to address a critical vulnerability in its municipal water system. At an August 10, 2026, meeting, the City Council approved a $158,700 contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. to conduct an alternatives analysis for upgrading the facility's foundation. Built in the early 1970s on the west side of the Skagit River, the intake station pumps raw water to the city's treatment plant. While a 2025 condition assessment found the building's structural and mechanical components to be in good condition, it identified a severe risk: the pilings supporting the structure are projected to fail during a 2021 International Building Code (IBC) design seismic event. "This would lead to an overall failure of the intake station," Water System Manager Terry Niemeth told the council. He confirmed that because this is the city's only intake building, a structural failure would interrupt the entire water supply system. The HDR contract will evaluate up to five independent foundation retrofit alternatives, narrowing them down to viable options that can be implemented while the station remains fully operational to maintain water delivery. Niemeth explained that finding a viable foundation retrofit is a financial imperative, as the city hopes to stabilize the existing structure rather than spend an estimated $20 million to $30 million on a full replacement. The alternatives analysis is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. Following the selection of a preferred retrofit method, the city anticipates issuing a separate design contract, with construction potentially taking place in 2027 or 2028.