Why does the District refuse to allow new ESAs?

In the mid-1980s King County government recognized that spaghetti lines running within the right-of-way presented a problem with maintenance. When the District updated its Comprehensive Water Plan in the late 1980s, the District was required to adopt a policy prohibiting the issuance of new ESAs. Since June 1987, the District has not been able to allow new ESAs. Spaghetti lines are the responsibility of individual property owners. When these lines break, property owners often find it very difficult to locate and repair these lines. In addition, the lack of permanent water mains to properties usually means that fire protection is not available to those properties.

The District’s present policy requiring the extension of permanent water mains allows the permanent water system to be extended in a logical and reasonable fashion. Finally, there is the issue of equity. Property owners who have ESAs have not paid their fair share for the District’s water system. In other words, properties, which have permanent water mains, which were constructed through ULIDs, have paid their share for the construction of the water system through assessments, and properties that have permanent water mains, which were constructed through Developer Extension Agreements, have paid their share for the water main construction at the time they purchased the property.

Show All Answers

1. What is an ESA?
2. Why does the District refuse to allow new ESAs?
3. I have had a spaghetti service ever since I moved into my house. Why do I need to convert to “permanent service” when I am already satisfied with my water service?
4. Will this new permanent water main affect my property value or increase my taxes?
5. Why do I need to pay for the new service?
6. How much is the fee for the new permanent service?
7. Is this project a Utility Local Improvement District (ULID)?
8. Is this an "assessment"?
9. What happens if I do not wish to pay this charge?
10. Will the District allow me to drill a well?
11. When do I need to pay for the permanent service?
12. Do I need to pay this amount in a lump sum?
13. Why does the developer need to install the permanent water main? Can’t he or she install spaghetti lines too?
14. Where will the water mains be installed?
15. What is the water main constructed of, and how big is it? Can the developer construct a smaller water main?
16. Will I have better water pressure after this project is completed?
17. Why does the District require a fire hydrant on this project? How many hydrants are required? Doesn’t this add to the cost of the project?
18. What happens if the developer tears up the road, driveway or landscaping during construction?