Warden City Council approves contract for reservoir study
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 1 week AGO
Warden City Council approved an $80,000 contract to complete a seismic retrofit study. From left to right are council members Emily Campos, Agapito Gonzalez, Omar Pruneda, Mayor Rosaelia Martinez and council member Jesus A. Martinez. Council member Brittney Pittman was excused from the meeting.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
WARDEN – In a move to enhance the safety of its water infrastructure, the Warden City Council unanimously approved a contract with Gray & Osborne, Inc. for a seismic retrofit study of the city’s two water reservoirs.
This engineering study, awarded at a cost of $80,000, is made possible with funds from both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Washington State Military Department.
"The item we are approving is part of the FEMA project for a seismic retrofit study of our reservoirs, which were not designed to withstand significant seismic activity," City Administrator Kriss Shuler said. "Our reservoirs are at risk of catastrophic collapse during an earthquake, and this study will determine the necessary upgrades to ensure their stability in such an event."
The two reservoirs — consisting of welded-steel standpipes with capacities of 0.70 million gallons and 1.5 million gallons — have been identified as having significant seismic deficiencies.
A preliminary inspection report from Gray & Osborne, dated 2020, raised concerns about their structural integrity, which prompted the city to seek funds for a comprehensive analysis.
FEMA will contribute $60,000 toward the total cost of the study, with an additional $10,000 from the Washington State Military Department and $10,000 from the city’s own budget. As an added benefit, FEMA will cover up to $4,000 in administrative costs.
"Once we receive the findings from the study, we can apply for further funding from FEMA to finance the actual retrofitting of the reservoirs,” Shuler said.
The study will encompass several key tasks, including a geotechnical investigation, structural analysis and the preparation of a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program application.
According to the scope of work outlined in the contract, these efforts will be overseen by Gray & Osborne, ensuring timely delivery of the required engineering products.
"There are critical elements of project management and quality control that will guarantee the effectiveness of this study," Shuler said.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Mayor Peter Sharp takes oath of office
SOAP LAKE – Grant County Commissioner Kevin Burgess adminstered the oath of office to Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday. Sharp was previously appointed to this role at the Sept. 18, 2024, council meeting after his predecessor Allen DuPay quit during the Aug. 7, 2024, meeting.
Newhouse, colleagues introduce infrastructure bill
WASHINGTON D.C. — On November 21, 2025, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers introduced the Urban Canal Modernization Act, HR 6279, aimed at addressing the deteriorating condition of urban canal infrastructure across the country. This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Dan Newhouse, R-WA; Mike Simpson, R-ID; Adam Gray, D-CA; and Russ Fulcher, R-ID focuses on providing federal support for the extraordinary operation and maintenance of urban canals deemed to be at significant risk of failure. “As communities in Grant County and elsewhere face serious risks from aging canal systems, it is imperative that we act now to ensure vital water infrastructure is maintained and upgraded,” Newhouse wrote in a statement. “The Bureau of Reclamation’s canals are in dire need of repairs, and the surrounding communities who rely on them would be at risk if they were to fail. This legislation provides local authorities with additional resources to manage these critical pieces of infrastructure while protecting the people and property around canals of concern.”
Ephrata water tower waiting for final tests
EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata is still waiting for the final testing to come back to the water tower. The city had originally hoped the tower would be connected to the water system by Thanksgiving; however, the intensive water testing is taking longer than anticipated.