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Thurston County has officially wrapped up significant upgrades to the sewer and water systems in both Boston Harbor and Tamoshan. The improvements are anticipated to bolster environmental protection around the Puget Sound area and introduce heightened reliability for local communities. According to Thurston County, the project's completion was commemorated with community leaders in attendance. "By investing American Rescue Plan Act dollars to update a 40-year-old system, we’re showing how federal and local partnerships deliver real benefits for taxpayers," Thurston County Commissioner Carolina Mejia expressed during an event to recognize the Boston Harbor project. The use of federal funding through the ARPA was instrumental in preventing additional costs from falling onto the shoulders of the ratepayers. This federal program was designed to help communities navigate the financial challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, per Thurston County news. The Boston Harbor project witnessed the replacement of over 6,000 feet of old water main, improvement in the septic treatment initiation, and installation of newer manhole covers that are both lightweight and securely lockable. These upgrades tackle issues such as saltwater intrusion and water loss, which were previously up to 15%, aiming to safeguard the water quality for Puget Sound. In Tamoshan, the focus was on a complete replacement of the water service connections, sewer pipe liners to avert leakages, and a revamp of the critical ravine crossing with a more dependable piping material. Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, Tye Menser, noted the broader significance of these projects at the ribbon cutting in Tamoshan, per Thurston County news, "They’re about protecting the environment, improving reliability, and investing in the future of our communities."
