Terraphase is providing water rights consulting services to the City of Bremerton in Washington state for Wells 9, 21, and 22. The original applications for these wells date back to the early 1990s in sub-basins that the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has since closed to new appropriations. With the introduction of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Kitsap Groundwater Model in Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 15, Ecology determined that approval of these applications would require evaluation through the Kitsap Model and submission of mitigation plans.

Scope of Services

Terraphase is supporting the city in navigating Ecology’s updated permitting process. Our team helped identify necessary modifications to the Kitsap Model, facilitated permit extensions to align timelines for all three water rights, and prepared technical memoranda evaluating both steady-state and transient groundwater modeling scenarios and their potential impacts on nearby streams. We also collaborated with city staff to define feasible mitigation options and propose a mitigation plan and protocol. Looking ahead, Terraphase will oversee drilling and testing of a new 950-foot-deep well at the Well 9 site in 2024 to better evaluate aquifer conditions. We will also participate in technical discussions with Ecology and tribal stakeholders and prepare Reports of Examination for Ecology review under a Cost Reimbursement Agreement.

Notable Accomplishments

• Supported permit extensions to synchronize timelines for all three well applications
• Developed mitigation strategies and protocols in collaboration with City staff
• Planned and will oversee the drilling and testing of a new 950-foot-deep well at Well 9