Malaga pipeline work moves to 2027 as new wells near completion

MALAGA — Two water pipeline projects expected to bring construction impacts to Malaga this fall will instead begin in early 2027, while a reservoir project remains under construction and two new wells approach completion.

Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority commissioners received the updates Oct. 13 and authorized transferring Wells 7 and 8 and their associated facilities to the Malaga Water District following final acceptance.

Stacie de Mestre, the port’s director of economic development and capital projects, said the pipeline postponements reflect county road requirements and the seasonal availability of asphalt.

“The county has changed their standards, and we cannot leave part of the road gravel through the winter,” de Mestre said.

With asphalt plants shutting down in early November, project teams decided to move the two pipeline projects into the beginning of next year. The reservoir and its supply line remain under construction.

De Mestre said the revised starts are not expected to prevent the port from meeting its commitments under agreements with the water district and Microsoft.

“We’re still confident we can meet our schedule obligations,” she said.

The change also means residents previously told to expect construction impacts this fall will receive revised information. De Mestre said the port has updated its website and is working with the Malaga Water District to communicate the new schedule to customers.

She also planned to update the Malaga-Colockum Community Council, including during an upcoming tour of the port’s cooling water facility.

Meanwhile, Wells 7 and 8 were undergoing final testing of their control systems.

De Mestre said the new wells were pumping so effectively that operators needed to adjust their programming to ensure the system continued rotating through the other wells properly.

The facilities, at 3780 W. Malaga Road, include the drilled wells, well buildings, pumps, piping, electrical and control systems, along with associated roads, fencing, water mains and fire hydrants.

Under the port’s interlocal agreement with the water district, completed improvements are to be transferred within 10 days after final acceptance. The port followed the same process in 2023 when it transferred an 18-inch waterline.

Commissioners approved authorizing CEO Jim Kuntz to execute the bill of sale for the remaining Phase 1 improvements, including the two wells.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media