PORT TOWNSEND — Toxic lead, such as that reported in Flint, Mich.’s water supply, won’t happen from Port Townsend’s delivery system, according to the city public works director.
“In Port Townsend, we don’t have lead in the water mains or the delivery system,” Public Works Director Ken Clow said Monday night during a council discussion on the strategic plan.
“Using lead pipes is an East Coast practice. It never really caught on in the West.”
Clow was responding to a question from Councilwoman Michelle Sandoval during a discussion about the city’s new water filtration plant, which is to open this fall.
Sandoval said several constituents, having read about toxic lead in Flint’s water supply, had asked whether there is any lead in the Port Townsend water supply.
Clow said there could be trace amounts of lead in the water but that they would most likely come from within the house. The interior pipes are not tested, he said.
Such trace elements would appear only in older houses because new construction does not use lead in plumbing, Clow added.
The question emerged at a workshop session to discuss the city’s 2015 accomplishments with regard to its strategic plan, an ongoing document that sets goals for government.
The plan has five objectives. The water discussion was part of the public service and facilities section.
The other objectives were:
■ Work on the comprehensive plan, which is due for completion in the spring.
■ Develop a strong education community culture by partnering the Port Townsend Library with the public school system.
■ Develop a healthy city organization, accomplished through training programs.
■ Develop the Howard Street corridor.
According to a document distributed at the meeting, 49 of the 130 agenda bills in 2015 addressed one of the strategic plan’s categories.
The Howard Street project was discussed by City Engineer David Peterson at the meeting. Project manager Samantha Trone added details in a Tuesday interview.
The project is to link Sims Way at the Howard Street roundabout to Discovery Road, where a new roundabout will be constructed at the junction.
Peterson said the city has acquired the necessary property from private owners, although a small section purchased by the city in 1994 needs to have its ownership clarified by the state Department of Transportation.
Peterson said the state seeks documentation about how the property was purchased and whether right-of-way procedures were adhered to in the purchase.
The city has produced all of the needed documentation, Peterson said, and is awaiting Transportation’s decision.
Trone said the city hopes to call for bids for the $4.6 million project in the spring and begin construction in April or May.
The nine-month project would be expected to open in December or January.
The Mountain View Commons renovation project at 1925 Blaine St. was jump-started by the passage of a $3.6 million bond issue approved by voters in February 2015.
After completing emergency repairs, replacing the roof and adding insulation, the city is now concentrating on how to use the space, Clow said.
Located at Mountain View are the Port Townsend Police Station, the municipal pool and several nonprofits including the food bank, Working Image, the YMCA, KPTZ radio and the ReCyclery.
Clow said the city is now in discussions with each tenant to determine the best use of the facilities.
After the process is completed, he does not expect there will be any extra space.
“It won’t be one big project,” he said.
“It will be a series of smaller projects because of the time it would take to plan it all at once.”
No action was taken at the workshop meeting aside from announcing the intention to schedule a retreat at which to discuss the next steps in the strategic plan.
The meeting was not scheduled but will most likely take place in April, the council agreed.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
