Tell the Kirkland City Council they need to fix the water pressure in the Highlands.
Last Summer/Fall, the City of Kirkland made modifications to the water distribution system in the Upper Highlands Neighborhood. The final tie-in was done on 10/1/24. Depending on the elevation of your home, your water pressure may have been significantly reduced. Prior to the modification, the static water pressure at a property at an elevation 360 feet above sea level was approximately 65 PSI. As a result of the modifications to the water distribution system, the pressure at a residence at that elevation is now about 39 to 40 PSI. When running irrigation at your residence, your water pressure may drop even more. The static pressure at my residence is currently around 46 PSI, but drops to 20 PSI when I run soaker hoses in our garden. This represents an approximately 30% reduction in water pressure!!!
After numerous complaints from customers about the reduction in water pressure, the City of Kirland’s Public Works Department has authorized their civil engineering consultant to study options for how to modify the water distribution system to allow the water pressures to return to the previous levels. Representatives of the Public Works Department have advised me that this process could take up to three years to implement. This is because their consultant needs to come up with several preliminary designs/costs, have the City evaluate these options, select an option, proceed with construction documents, have City Council action to assign it as a Capitol Improvement Project, have public bids, award the scope of work to a contractor, and then complete the installation.
In the meantime, this last Fall (after customers complained) the City notified customers in the affected areas of the Upper Highlands that they would have a private consultant visit your home and make an assessment of your water pressure. The water pressure at our residence was tested on March 10, 2024. Then in late June the City issued a letter to the residents who had signed up to have their water pressure tested, stating that if their static water pressure was tested and found to be below 70 PSI, they would be eligible to participate in either a $7000 Future Improvements Program to assist customers to make modifications to their water service line or plumbing system inside of their residence in order to improve their water pressure, or up to a $14,000 Water Pressure Mitigation Rebate Program, which would assist customers who require more extensive modifications to their water service lines, plumbing and irrigation systems, or the possible installation of a water pressure booster pump. I was advised the City that a total of only 48 residents signed up for their water pressure to be tested.
However, with acceptance of either program, the City requires that the customer sign a “Hold Harmless” statement that “I agree that the program is my only remedy for any loss of water pressure resulting from the March 2j024 water system enhancements in the Highlands Neighborhood and I release and waive any and all claims against the City of Kirkland arising from or relating to any loss of water pressure”.
While I appreciate that the City is willing to provide financial resources to help customers with a means to remedy the current low water pressure situation, I do not want this to be the final solution. I want the City to commit to making the necessary modifications to their water distribution system to return the previous water pressure to this neighborhood. Personally, I do not want to install and maintain a water booster pump for as long as I live at my home. The pump will require periodic maintenance, ongoing electric energy costs, and eventual replacement. Also, there may or may not be a noise issue when the pump is operating. In addition, some residences might not have a convenient location for a pump to be installed (i.e. crawl space of basement). Having a water booster pump, might reduce the sales price of a residence.
I have been in contact with numerous neighbors in the Upper Highlands Neighborhood, and we are suggesting a meeting at 7 PM this Thursday evening at the Highlands Park (11210 NE 102nd Street).
Please forward this information to your fellow neighbors.
Mari is requesting that the City of Kirkland host another meeting with the Upper Highland Neighborhood. This would be a follow up to the June 25th meeting, when representatives of the City presented the two programs.
I have been made aware of one Purchase/Sale Agreement for a residence in the Upper Highlands Neighborhood that was cancelled once the purchaser was made aware of the low water pressure issue. Also, residences that have a City required fire protection system (sprinklers) inside of the homes have been severely affected, as their systems will not function properly with the reduced water pressure from the City.
I look forward to seeing you at the meeting this Thursday evening, 7pm at Highland Park.
Murray L. McKinney Sr. 9611 - 116th Ave. N.E. Kirkland, WA 98033
Cell: (206) 390-5342
OR
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Message:
Petition:
Upper Highlands Water Pressure Petition to the City of Kirkland
We, the undersigned residents of the Upper Highlands Neighborhood in Kirkland, Washington, respectfully submit this petition to the City of Kirkland in response to the ongoing issues caused by significantly reduced water pressure following system modifications implemented in October 2024.
Since the tie-in on October 1, 2024, residents have experienced a marked drop in water pressure—approximately 30% in some cases—affecting day-to-day water use, irrigation, and critical systems such as fire suppression sprinklers. Some homes now report water pressure as low as 20 PSI when running irrigation systems. This reduction poses not only a comfort and convenience issue but also a potential safety and property value concern.
We acknowledge the City of Kirkland’s efforts to address the problem through two financial support programs: the $7,000 Future Improvements Program and the $14,000 Water Pressure Mitigation Rebate Program. We also recognize the City's engagement with residents and consultants to explore long-term engineering solutions, including the projected three-year study and design process.
However, property owners have serious concerns about the long-term implications of installing and maintaining a private water pressure booster pump as a remedy. These pumps require periodic maintenance, incur ongoing electricity costs, and may have limited installation options depending on the layout of a home. More critically, residents are concerned that reliance on a pump system—rather than a comprehensive fix by the City—will lead to devaluation of property values in the neighborhood. We believe that the current condition, resulting from poor design decisions made by the City’s consultant, has already had a detrimental impact on real estate transactions and will continue to affect resale value and desirability unless addressed with a permanent infrastructure solution.
Residents are concerned about the requirement to sign a 'Hold Harmless' agreement in exchange for financial assistance. This agreement waives any future claims against the City and implies that these programs may represent the City’s final resolution to the problem. We do not agree that these temporary solutions should replace a permanent fix to the City’s water distribution system.
Therefore, we respectfully request that the City of Kirkland make a firm, written commitment to implement a permanent engineering solution that restores previous water pressure levels within a clearly defined timeframe—not to exceed five (5) years from the date of this petition. This commitment is essential before any resident agrees to waive their rights or accept interim remedies.
We urge the City Council and the Department of Public Works to demonstrate accountability and transparency by affirming their dedication to restoring water pressure to the Upper Highlands Neighborhood.
Signed by the residents and friends of the Upper Highlands Neighborhood