Water Resources

Port Townsend Water Resources has two divisions that are staffed by nine state-certified operators. Water Distribution is responsible for reading meters, installing new meters, repairing leaks, fire hydrant maintenance, system flushing, routine water sampling, and handling water supply related issues. Water Quality is responsible for water treatment and safe drinking water compliance. This includes maintenance and operation of the City’s Water Treatment Facility, water sampling, responding to water quality concerns, watershed control, reporting, public education, and community outreach.

Water Treatment Facility & Reservoirs
In January 2017, the City of Port Townsend completed construction of the pressurized membrane ultrafiltration Water Treatment Facility that is capable of treating up to 2.95 million gallons of water per day. The treatment process complies with increased State and Federal standards for adequate treatment for the cryptosporidium parasite. After filtration, chlorine is added to the water to meet disinfection requirements.

Water Distribution
After the water leaves the treatment plant it flows through 108 miles of distribution system pipeline ranging in size from 4” to 16” to approximately 6100 service connections. Water flows by gravity from the storage reservoirs to homes and businesses, except for the Morgan Hill area, which is served by a booster pump station. In addition to installing and maintaining the delivery pipes and meters, the Water Distribution staff services 1,800 valves and almost 800 fire hydrants.

Water Line Inventory
On January 15, 2021 the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions required public water systems to inventory lead services lines and report the results of the completed inventory by October 16, 2024. This ruling went into effect on December 16, 2021. As a result, the City of Port Townsend has conducted a review of the water lines managed by the City. 

Olympic Gravity Water System (OGWS)
Where does our water come from? The City of Port Townsend’s municipal water is supplied by the Big Quilcene and Little Quilcene Rivers. The water travels by gravity to the City via a 30-mile pipeline. The existing surface water system has been in operation since 1928, making it one of the oldest water systems in Washington State. In addition to serving the residents of the City of Port Townsend, water is provided to the Port Townsend Paper Corporation, Glen Cove, and parts of the unincorporated area west of town.

Report an Issue
If you have a water quality/water distribution related issue you’d like to report, please visit our Report a Concern page and fill out the concern form.