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City of Bellevue, WA Utilities
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Utilities Services

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  1. Home
  2. City Government
  3. Departments
  4. Utilities
  5. Utilities Projects, Plans and Standards
  6. Utilities Capital Projects
  7. Somerset Reservoir Decommissioning Project

    Utilities Capital Projects

    • Emergency Water Supply Master Plan
    • Factoria Boulevard Stormwater Conveyance
    • Horizon View 2 Reservoir and Pump Station Project
    • Kelsey Creek/Lake Hills Culvert Project
    • Lake Washington Lake Line Management Plan
    • Lakemont Blvd Culvert at Coal Creek Project
    • Newport Sewer Basin Capacity Improvements
    • Pikes Peak Reservoir Replacement
    • Sewer Capital Investment Projects
    • Somerset Reservoir Decommissioning Project
    • Stormwater Capital Investment Projects
    • Valley Creek Culvert Replacement and Stream Restoration Project
    • Water Capital Investment Projects
    • Watershed Management Plan
    • West Operating Area Reservoir Study

    Somerset Reservoir Decommissioning Project

    Project Update

    The Somerset Reservoir No. 1 is a 100,000-gallon reinforced concrete reservoir, built in 1961 and located on Somerset Recreation Club property. The existing structure of the reservoir was created by excavating into the original slope, meaning that the current structure is partially tucked into the hillside. The reservoir has been out of service for nearly 20 years.

    To improve the safety of the Somerset Recreation Club in the event of an earthquake and enhance the views from the pool deck, the reservoir will be further stabilized and partially removed, and the hillside will be regraded and landscaped.

    The design for the process is underway and will conclude this summer. Construction is planned for late winter 2021 through spring 2022, to be completed before the 2022 swim season opens.

    Project Area

    Map of Somerset Reservoir Decommissioning Project work area

    Schedule

    Somerset Project Timeline

    Project approach

    At a workshop held in December of 2019, the City reviewed risks and opportunities associated with possible design alternatives for the project.

    When choosing the most feasible design alternative, the City weighed several factors including:

    • Feasibility of the alternative
    • Constructability
    • Cost, and
    • Level of impact to the Somerset Recreation Club

    The selected design alternative to decommission the reservoir is the most feasible option with the least impact on the Somerset Recreation Club. This alternative includes stabilizing the reservoir east wall and the soil behind it with steel braces and installing structural fill to replace the weight of the reservoir roof and walls.

    The reservoir roof and walls, except the east wall, will be carefully demolished and removed. The remaining reservoir structure will be buried and the hillside will be regraded and landscaped. The graphic below provides an overview of the project design. We will share detailed project design plans at the upcoming virtual public meeting - more information coming soon! 

    Somerset Reservoir project site plan

    What to expect during construction

    The proposed design is expected to have a construction duration of approximately 8 weeks. Traffic Control Plans are being developed and will include either one- or two-lane closures along Somerset Boulevard during construction. The bike route and sidewalk adjacent to the Somerset Recreation Club along Somerset Boulevard will also be inaccessible during the construction period. The construction is planned to take place during the Somerset Recreation Club off-season to minimize the impact on the club’s activities.

    Stay informed

    • Subscribe to this webpage to be notified of project updates.

    Resources

    • City of Bellevue - Preliminary Engineering Design Report for Reservoir/Seismic Evaluation

    Contact

    Dwight Smith, PE, SE, PMP
    Senior Engineer & Project Manager

    Telephone
    425-452-4127
    Email
    dbsmith@bellevuewa.gov
    Alerts
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