HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23Rk.SaL,,4�tro�..� Nv. 0�.- 23
CITY OF PORT ANGELES
DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
Calvin W. Goings, Acting City Manager of the City of Port Angeles, finds that the
following facts exist:
1. On Saturday, August 26, 2023, City Crews discovered a water main leak on the 24-
inch water transmission main located along the Olympic Discovery Trail between 18`h Street and
Kacee Way. The affected water main serves as the single connection between the City's Water
Treatment Facility and its reservoirs. The City does not have available crews to complete the
repairs and water from the main was leaking at approximately 150 gallons per minute.
2. The failed segment of main is a critical component of the City's water distribution
system. This main was installed in 1977 as part of the Cities transition to the Ranney Well water
supply located adjacent to the Elwha River. This section of pipe serves as the transmission line
from the Port Angeles Water treatment plant to the City reservoir system. The water main must
be successfully repaired before the City's reservoirs can be filled again. Repairing this main is
critical to water quality and public health for the following reasons: First, lack of access to water
for an extended period of time creates a public health emergency. Second, it appears that a
backflow into the City's water plant may have occurred. The backflow prevention system is
responsible for ensuring the water only flows in one direction.
3. Due to the severity of the main break and possible contamination of the water system,
its impact on the City's water supply and residents, and the need for immediate repair, an
emergency is present which may necessitate utilization of emergency powers granted pursuant to
RCW 35.33.081 and RCW 38.52.070(2).
Now, therefore, by the authority granted to me under State law and by the City Council, I
hereby declare that an emergency exists in Port Angeles due to a water main break and that the
City is authorized to do the following:
a) Enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to combat such emergency
situation to protect the health and safety of persons and the preservation of property;
and
b) Make purchases, enter into contracts, direct staff actions as needed, and take all
other actions and measures as may be necessary to respond to possible contamination
of the City's water system.
4. Each City Department is authorized to exercise the powers vested under this
resolution in light of the emergency situation without regard to time-consuming procedures and
formalities prescribed by law (excepting mandatory constitutional requirements).
DATED this 28�h day of August 2023.
Calvin W. Goings, . cting City Manager