Centralia Utilities

Centralia Utilities Municipal Water Report Info

The Cedar River Water and Sewer District was established on June 21, 1960, initially serving approximately 520 acres in the Maple Valley Heights area. Through 38 expansions, the District has grown to cover about 9,420 acres (14.5 square miles). According to the regionally adopted Coordinated Water Supply Plan (CWSP), Cedar River is allocated roughly 36 square miles of service territory.

Operating under Title 57 of the Revised Code of Washington, the District is responsible for water service delivery and future planning for its service area population. Three elected commissioners govern the District, establishing policies, overseeing operations, and conducting regular public meetings twice monthly. The General Manager implements Board policies and handles public relations, while the Operations Manager supervises field staff and daily system functions.

Currently serving the Fairwood community (water and sewer) and Maple Valley (water only), the District's primary water supply comes from Seattle Public Utilities via the Lake Youngs reservoir, which receives potable water from the Cedar River Watershed. This protected 96,000-acre watershed lies between Hobart and the Cascade Mountains' crest. In 2009, the District added a well in Maple Valley as a supplementary water source, primarily serving the East Area during summer months. This well undergoes fluoridation and chlorination to match Seattle Public Utilities' water quality.

The District retains professional engineering services for planning, regulatory compliance, and system improvements. Legal counsel assists with regulatory compliance and other legal matters, while financial advisors, accountants, and specialized consultants support various operational aspects.