February 2025 Update
The Kirkland Public Works team received and evaluated responses to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to hire a plumbing contractor or consultant to assess the water pressure conditions within Highlands residents’ homes. The team made a selection and are in final negotiations on scope and price for the contract. Once finalized, staff and the contractor will contact residents who have signed up for consultation to schedule the visit. The goal of these assessments is to inform final eligibility criteria for a rebate program to address water pressure challenges in Highlands residents’ homes before peak demand is expected during the summer of 2025. The rebate program is available to eligible Highlands residents who sign up for an in-home consultation and were living in their home before the final water system tie-ins were complete on October 1, 2024. Residents who are interested but have not yet signed up can do so using the online form at the link below.
The Kirkland Public Works team has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to hire a plumbing contractor or consultant to assess the water pressure conditions within Highlands residents' homes. The selected contractor or consultant will conduct evaluations and provide recommendations to optimize household water pressure for those homeowners who have signed up for a consultation. The City is currently awaiting responses to the RFQ and anticipates making a final selection by the end of this year. The assessments are scheduled to begin in early 2025, with the goal of addressing water pressure challenges in the Highlands community before the peak demand expected during the summer of 2025. Once the contractor is selected, staff will contact residents who have signed up for a consultation to begin scheduling.
The final two water main connections were complete at the end of September. Immediately after, our team and consultants tested the system. Our preliminary results confirm the neighborhood is at the predicted pressure levels for the gradient change. However, staff are hearing from residents the pressure change has impacted the performance of residents’ homes to a degree the project modeling did not anticipate. The City is offering in-home consultations to gather more information about how the change in water pressure is affecting individual home functionality. Residents may sign up for a consultation by clicking the button under the November update.
Kirkland Public Works remains in close contact with the contractors working on the I-405 and NE 87th crossing and construction near the old Costco headquarters. Both of these projects have had an impact on water pressure available for some of Highlands’ residents during peak demand hours of 4am to 7am. The latest timelines from the projects’ contractors show the water main connections are planned to be completed by early October. Once work is complete, the City will test and evaluate the water system and make calculated adjustments as needed. The City will provide another update in early October.
Kirkland Public Works is aware of recent additional water pressure changes in the Highlands neighborhood. These additional changes are due to two ongoing construction projects occurring during peak seasonal water demand. As of July 25th, the new 405 crossing and NE 87th water line was activated, but construction is not complete. Public Works is collaborating with WSDOT and its contractor Graham to accelerate the water main buildout. Additionally, construction on the old Costco headquarters site (10800 block of 120th Ave NE) has impacted the water feed, affecting hydraulic capabilities. Maintenance crews are continuing to monitor pressure levels closely and make calculated adjustments to the system over time. We thank residents for their patience as adjustments are made and ask you to direct any questions or requests for service through theOur Kirkland Portalon the City's website.
What's happening?
The City of Kirkland implemented a necessary change to the water system in part of the Highlands neighborhood to enhance the reliability and sustainability of the water supply. Starting in March 2024, the City added additional water connections to serve the area. As a result of these new connections, some users may have noticed a change in their water pressure.
Why is this happening?
Part of the Highlands neighborhood was previously only served by one water source. To help provide continuous access to drinking water, we opened nine new connections to deliver water to your area. To facilitate this, on April 8th 2024 the water pressure was permanently changed to match the rest of the Highlands Neighborhood system.
This change was part of our efforts to:
Increase fire flow so more water will be available in case of fire emergency
Optimize our water distribution system
Ensuring the efficient delivery of water to all residents
Have several water sources in place to ensure continuous access to water in case one source fails.
(PDF, 2MB)
How will this impact me?
As part of this change, some home’s water pressure was reduced. The change in water pressure each parcel received varied depending on the elevation of the parcel. Higher elevations received a greater pressure reduction than lower parcels. Although this change resulted in a difference in your water pressure, it is still within the normal range for residential water pressure.
There may be a time when your water may appear cloudy or discolored while the work is being done on the water system. Flushing of the water lines may cause a temporary discoloration, but the water will still be safe to drink.
Kirkland Water Division
425-587-3900
Our Kirkland Service Portal
Carly Joerger
Utility Policy and Community Relations Supervisor
cjoerger@kirklandwa.gov
425-587-3825
On Oct 16th the City presented to the Highlands Neighborhood Association and provided a project update.
Click Here to View the Presentation Deck(PDF, 33MB)
King County Lake Swimming Beach Data Program