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1. What is a Capital Improvement Program (CIP)?

The capital improvement program addresses one part of the Capital Facilities Element, namely providing a schedule of planned or proposed public improvements over a 6-year timeframe; some cities also refer to this as a Capital Facility Program (CFP). Although GMA focuses on expanded or new capital facilities for growth, most city CIPs include maintenance construction projects such as road or public utility replacements, trail repairs, new play equipment in parks, and maintaining buildings such as the City water and wastewater treatment plant operations. For more information, please call Nicole Sanders at 425-888-5337.

2. What is changing with the Capital Improvement Program (CIP)?

The City Comprehensive Plan includes the full text of the 2015 to 2020 CIP - an 18-page tabular spreadsheet listing the proposed capital program at the time of adoption, in 2014. As GMA requires a CIP covering the subsequent 6 years of City construction, this table is now outdated.

In reviewing other city CIPs, Snoqualmie was one of the few King County cities that incorporated its full CIP in the Capital Facilities element itself. Most other cities adopt this schedule by reference, and/or just did not include the schedule in their Capital Facilities element (including the reviewed cities of Bellevue, Duvall, Issaquah, Kirkland, North Bend, Redmond, Renton, and Sammamish). By adopting CIPs by reference, these cities may more easily align their CIP review process with the schedule of City budget amendments and fiscal planning, which is a more appropriate parallel review process.

City staff are proposing to adopt the CIP by reference as well. When the Comprehensive Plan amendment is considered by City Council for adoption, a separate ordinance will consider a revised CIP separately for adoption that conforms to the required GMA 6-year timeline. Just as the draft Comprehensive Plan amendment must be reviewed by Council committee and the full Council, the updated CIP will be reviewed by Council committee and the full Council in open public meetings. The proposed CIP update will move away from just a tabular spreadsheet, instead providing more financial information, expanded narrative, and visuals to aid understanding of the location and nature of proposed public improvements.

For more information, please call Nicole Sanders at 425-888-5337.

3. Whom should I contact for more information?

For more information, please explore the links on this page or contact the City of Snoqualmie Community Development Department

Primary Contact

Nicole Sanders, Senior Planner

Email Nicole Sanders

425-888-5337

Additional Contact

Gwyn Berry, Planning Technician

Email Gwyn Berry

425-888-5337

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1. What are "cross-connections" and "backflow"?

A "cross-connection" is any actual or potential physical connection between a public water system or the consumer's water system and any source of non-potable liquid solid, or gas that could contaminate the potable water supply by backflow. "Backflow" means the undesirable reversal of flow of water or other substances through a cross-connection into the public water system or consumer's potable water system. An Irrigation system is an example of a low hazard cross-connection. An example of a high hazard cross-connection would be a garden hose with the flowing end submerged in a container of pesticide. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

2. What causes backflow?

Backpressure or backsiphonage can cause backflow through an unprotected cross-connection if the pressure in the potable system is lower than the pressure in the non-potable system. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

3. What problems can result?

There are documented incidents in the United States where people have become sick because of contaminated water backflowing into potable systems. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

4. Can cross-connections be avoided?

High hazard or unnecessary cross-connections are to be eliminated whenever possible. Unavoidable cross-connections (for example, fire sprinklers and irrigation systems) must be protected with a Backflow Prevention Assembly commensurate with the degree of hazard. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

5. What is an "Approved Backflow Prevention Assembly"?

"Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies" are commercially available double check valves that have been approved for the application by the City and are on the Washington State Department of Health pre-approved list. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

6. Do I need a Backflow Prevention Assembly at my home?

Most residential units do not need a Backflow Assembly. However, if you have a fire sprinkler system or underground irrigation system, you must have a backflow prevention assembly on those systems. The Building and the Water Departments evaluate new buildings as to the degree of hazard and type of backflow protection required. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

7. What if I have a Backflow Prevention Assembly?

Your must have the assembly tested annually by a state certified Backflow Assembly Tester (BAT) and a copy of the Test Report Form sent to the City of Snoqualmie Water Department. The City keeps a database of all backflow prevention assemblies in the system and when they were last tested and will attempt to notify property owners by letter when their assemblies are due to tested. Irrigation backflow assemblies are usually located in a plastic box or vault near the water meter. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

8. How can I find a BAT to test my assembly?

For the convenience of City residents, the City maintains a list of testers. This is merely a list of companies who have submitted tests and certification information to our office. Many plumbing and irrigation contractors listed in the phone book can provide certified backflow assembly testing. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

9. What regulations apply to Cross-Connection Control?

Cross-Connections are regulated by the Uniform Plumbing Code, WAC 246-290-490, and Snoqualmie Municipal Code 13.13. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

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1. Who provides water service in Snoqualmie?

Water service is provided by the Public Works Department. For after hours, leave a message or, in case of emergency, call (pager) 206-541-6317.

2. What kind of water do we have in Snoqualmie?

Snoqualmie ‘s water treatment plant supplies moderately hard water to the community. As rainwater falls, it is naturally soft. However, as water makes its way through the ground and into waterways, it picks up minerals like chalk, lime, calcium, and magnesium. Since hard water contains essential minerals, it is sometimes the preferred drinking water, not only because of the health benefits, but also the flavor. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

3. Do we have a choice of changing the type of water we get at our home?

You can purchase and install a water softener, preferably salt-free. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

4. What is the difference between hard water and soft water?

Hard water is water that contains a quantity of dissolved minerals, such as calcium, iron, and manganese. Soft water is treated water in which the only ion is sodium. In the softening process, as minerals are removed, sodium content increases. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

5. What can I do about household cleaning problems caused by hard water?

It is true that hard water can make some household chores more difficult. You may experience some of the following side effects in your home. There are no safety issues related to any of these, but they can be bothersome.

• Spots on glasses and clear surfaces such as shower doors
• Mineral deposit build up on water-using appliances such as ice makers
• Discoloration on bathroom fixtures and toilet bowl rings
• Film in bathtubs and sinks

The How To Clean Stuff website has many suggestions for managing hard water cleaning challenges. Check the Kitchen and Bath section. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

6. Why does the water sometimes have a brownish color?

Occasional water discoloration is due to fire hydrant flushing and fire flow calculating, which is done on a regular, but infrequent, basis. These procedures cause a high flow level to get the data needed. Unfortunately this stirs up sediment in the main lines which causes temporary water discoloration. The sediment is just minerals that have settled in the mains and are not harmful. All discoloration should disappear within 24 hours. Running cold water through your pipes will help to clear it out.

If the discoloration doesn’t go away within 24 hours, please call the City of Snoqualmie Public Works Department at 425-831-4919. We can come out and flush the lines. After hours, please call 425-323-0101 (pager) or call 425-831-4919 for a recorded message that will provide contact directions.

7. Why does the water sometimes have a strange odor?

Odor in tap water is sometimes a symptom of low flow areas and dead ends. If you detect an odor in your water, please call the City of Snoqualmie Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

8. Does Snoqualmie’s water supply contain fluoride?

Snoqualmie’s drinking water does not contain fluoride. An alternative to having fluoride in drinking water is to take fluoride supplements, which are generally prescribed by dentists. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

9. Who should I call if I have questions about the water quality or water operations?

Please contact Dustin Possert, Water Division Supervisor, at 425-831-4919 ext. 1147 or email Dustin Possert.

10. Who should I call to set up utility service?

Please call 425-888-1555 and apply for service as soon as you need water. Utility billing is done on a monthly basis. Application for service may be made at City Administration office at 8020 Railroad Ave SE.

11. How do I close my account?

If you are moving and need to close your account, please call at least 3 working days before your anticipated move date to schedule a closing read. Water service is not turned off. The meter is read and you are billed for usage up to the closing date. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

12. Who should I call if I have questions about my water utility account or billing?

Please contact Dustin Possert, Water Division Supervisor, at 425-831-4919 ext. 1147 or email Dustin Possert.

13. What if I believe I have been overcharged due to a defective meter?

A homeowner who believes they have been overcharged due to a defective meter may pay a deposit (minimum $50) for a meter test according to the size of the meter. If the test indicates that the meter was accurate or did not over-read, the deposit will be forfeited to the City for the cost of the test. If the meter is over-reading, the City will refund the deposit to the customer and make proper adjustments to the customer's bill. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

14. I am planning on installing an irrigation system. What do I need to do first?

If you are planning to install an irrigation system, you will need a plumbing permit from the City Building Department to install a Backflow Prevention Assembly at the point of connection. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

15. What if I have an existing irrigation system?

If you have an underground irrigation system, it must have a Backflow Prevention Assembly at the point of connection. The backflow assembly must be tested annually. For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 425-831-4919.

16. What are your fire hydrant use policies?

All hydrant withdrawals are subject to a permit issued by the City and must be metered with a City meter and check valve. To obtain use of a hydrant meter, call 425-831-4919 extension 10 or go to the Public Works building at 38194 SE Stearns Road.

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1. How are the five business days calculated when responding to a public records request?

RCW 42.56.520 provides that a response to a request for public records must be made by the agency within five business days. The day the request is received does not count as one of the five days. RCW 1.12.040 provides: "The time within which an act is to be done, as herein provided, shall be computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, Saturday, or Sunday, and then it is also excluded." The general statute appears to be of application throughout the state statutes. For more information, please call 425-888-1555, ext. 1118.

2. What public records are exempt from disclosure?

Each record must be reviewed to determine whether it is exempt from public disclosure. Most exemptions are listed in RCW 42.56.230-42.56.480. However, certain statutes outside public records laws also provide exemptions from disclosure or prohibitions on disclosure of particular records. When a city denies a request for disclosure of a public record, the specific statutory exemption on which the denial is based must be identified along with a brief explanation of how the exemption applies. For more information, please call 425-888-1555, ext. 1118.

3. Do all City records have to be stored at City Hall?

No. According to WAC 414-12-020 and WAC 414-12-010, regulations that govern custody of public records, public records are the property of the City and should be stored in the office in which they were originally filed. This may not always be the office of the clerk, but may be a branch office of the City in some cases. The security of the records must be maintained wherever they are stored. For more information, please call 425-888-1555, ext. 1118.

4. Must the City copy records at no charge for non-profit organizations?

No. Public records law allows a city to recover a reasonable charge for providing copies of public records to any person. This applies to nonprofit corporations as well as private citizens or businesses. The charge may not exceed the amount necessary to reimburse the agency for its actual costs and may not include staff time needed to retrieve the documents. For more information, please call 425-888-1555, ext. 1118.

5. Must the City agree to provide copies of "future records"?

No. A future record is one that does not exist today but may be created in the future. If there is no "writing," there can be no "public record" and, accordingly, there can be no requirement to allow inspection or copying as a result of a current request. Obviously, if a future request is made and the record then exists, the request will need to be considered. The City's obligation is confined to existing records. For more information, please call 425-888-1555, ext. 1118.

6. Must the City create a document when responding to a specific request for public disclosure?

No. Although there is no Washington case that has decided whether a duty to create an otherwise non-existent document exists under RCW 42.56, there is federal law on this issue. Under the Freedom of Information Act, an agency is not required to create a record which is otherwise non-existent. For more information, please call 425-888-1555, ext. 1118.

7. If a record I requested is denied, what are my options?

Review of Denials of Public Records

1. Requesting a review of denials of public records. RCW 42.56.520 allows for review of denials of public records. Any person who objects to the initial denial or partial denial of a records request may petition in writing to the City Clerk's office for a review of that decision. The petition shall include a copy of, or reasonably identify, the written statement denying the request.
2. Consideration of petition for review. The public records officer or his/her designee will immediately consider the petition and either affirm or reverse the denial within two business days following the City Clerk's office receipt of the petition, or within such other time as the City Clerk's office and the requestor mutually agree to.

For more information, please call 425-888-1555, ext. 1118.

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1. How do I report a constantly on (or off) street light?

During regular hours, you may call the Public Works main office at 425-831-4919. After hours please leave a message with a description of the problem and a phone number where you may be contacted. Most street lighting is maintained by Puget Sound Energy so you may contact them online at https://www.pse.com/outage/report-street-light-outage.

2. How do I report a traffic signal malfunction?

You may call Public Works at 425-831-4919, ext. 10 from approximately 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. After hours, call our Police Department at 425-888-3333.

3. How do I report a road hazard in the City after hours?

For emergencies, call our Police Department at 425-888-3333 or 911.

4. How do I report a damaged or missing Stop sign?

If you see a problem with Traffic Signals or missing STOP signs please call the Police Department at 425-888-3333, anytime of the day or night.

If you see a problem with Lane Markings and other Traffic Signs that are not in the nature of an emergency, then please call Public Works at 425-831-4919 during the work hours or leave a message after hours.

5. Why just overlay the existing pavement instead of reconstruction?

Cost and funding sources. While reconstruction is the best long-term solution, it is much more expensive than an overlay. Arterial streets are often eligible for total reconstruction with up to 70% Federal or State Grants with 30% City funds. Collector streets, in contrast, do not usually qualify for matching grants so must be financed out of City Street Funds. In the past, the City has entered into "Piggyback" contracts with King County on their annual overlay programs. This has allowed the City to take advantage of the County's professional management, volume pricing, and quality contractors at very reasonable cost. For more information, please call Public Works at 425-831-4919.

6. Why do they keep painting marks on my street or driveway?

All utility owners (gas, water, telephone, etc.) are required by State law to mark their underground facilities in advance of excavation activity to prevent accidental damage from construction or trenching machinery. Hitting gas or other utilities can be very hazardous to workers or anyone in the area. Paint marks are color-coded Yellow for gas, Red for power, Blue for water, Orange for telephone, and so on. For more information visit the Utility Notification Center. For more information, please call Public Works at 425-831-4919.

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1. Why are rate increases and connection charges needed?

The 2017-2020 rates ensure the City of Snoqualmie can continue meeting regulatory requirements under state and federal environmental laws.  To keep the water, sewer and stormwater utility systems operating reliably for the current population and anticipated future growth, the City of Snoqualmie will need to continue investing in system upgrades and improvements.

2. What types of programs will be funded through the new rates and connection charges?

• Water main replacements and improvements for water quality, and reliability.
• Fire flow improvements including new reservoirs and improvements to existing reservoirs.
• Two new pressure zones to increase or decrease water pressure at tap.
• Improvements to the City’s sources of supply.
• Implementation of storm water programs to meet new state requirements for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II Permit.
• Installation of storm drainage systems to meet new state requirements.
• Historic Snoqualmie water and sewer main replacement and storm water improvements.
• Significant improvements to wastewater treatment facility including a new generator, solids handling facilities, and other treatment components.
• 24/7 wastewater operations to protect water quality and public health while sustaining a healthy environment.
• Reconstruction and upgrades to lift stations that deliver wastewater from neighborhoods to the wastewater treatment facility.

3. What do utility rate increases fund?

Utility rates provide revenue to operate water, sewer and storm water infrastructure; operate and maintain water and wastewater treatment facilities; and inspect and maintain equipment. Rate revenue also covers the cost to recycle valuable resources from the City’s wastewater process, including providing reclaimed water for irrigation. As well, the utility rate proposal protects the City’s credit rating to continue obtaining favorable interest rates on money borrowed for capital improvements.

4. What are connection charges?

Connection charges for water, sewer, and storm water ensure that each connecting property bears its share of the cost of the public utility systems and the cost of materials. A one-time charge is imposed on new development or connections, or expanded connections to the system as a condition of service. Connection charges apply to any customer requesting a new service or a change in service.

5. What do connection charges fund?

Connection charge revenue goes towards new facilities and system upgrades designed to accommodate Snoqualmie’s growing population and to assure new growth pays its share of the investment in existing and planned systems.

6. How do Snoqualmie’s rates compare to other nearby cities?

The City conducted a comprehensive utility rate study in 2014 and updated it in 2016 to ensure its customers are paying a rate that approximates the cost of providing utility services. Compared with other Snoqualmie Valley cities, including North Bend, Carnation, and Duvall, Snoqualmie’s customers’ average residential monthly bills are significantly lower.