Reservoirs are storage tanks that buffer strain on the water supply system during peak demands, store water for firefighting and allow for continuous service during brief supply shutdowns. As population grows, we need to be able to store more water. Based on regulations and industry standards, Bellevue will need additional reservoir volume sometime after 2030 to serve anticipated growth in downtown, BelRed and other areas.
The city has already exhausted other alternatives to constructing more storage, including updated efficiency standards that reduce demands, and construction of added transmission capacity to access available storage elsewhere in the system. That work improved redundancy and extended the anticipated deadline (from 2020 to after 2030), but new storage still must be planned and built.
Opportunity for public input
The City is considering these neighborhoods—shown in the map—for the new drinking water reservoir. The City will select one of these neighborhoods based on the following criteria:
- Technical feasibility
- Community benefits and impacts
- Operational impacts
- Costs
- And other factors
We are in the process of scheduling walk-and-talks and community meetings in each neighborhood to listen to neighbors about their interests and concerns related to the project and discuss how a drinking water reservoir might fit in their neighborhood. A new reservoir would affect neighbors, particularly during construction, but we are interested in finding ways for it to offer meaningful, long-term benefits to the neighborhood as well.
Later, we’ll hold an online open house on EngagingBellevue.com and a survey. At the conclusion of project milestones, we will provide updates on how stakeholder input has been considered and addressed in project decisions.
Timeline
Initial Engagement: May-July 2022
- Walk-and-talks or small meetings with neighbors of potential sites
- Collecting comments/feedback from neighbors via paper and electronic forms
Feedback will be used in the development of criteria for evaluating alternatives.
Alternatives Identification and Analysis: July 2022
- Follow-up emails to community members
- Collecting comments/feedback from neighbors via paper and electronic forms
Feedback will update our understanding of community interests and priorities.
Alternatives Evaluation and Selection: October 2022
- Communitywide survey
- Online open house
Feedback will inform city's evaluation and selection of a preferred option.
Alternatives Evaluation and Selection: March-May 2023
- Launch web-based storymap with interactive maps and digital content
- Follow-up emails to community members
Feedback will inform city's plans for mitigation of any expected impacts.