Pasco Seeks Funding for Water Plant and Roads

The city aims to secure state and federal support for critical infrastructure and water facility upgrades.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Utilities

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a concrete water pipe and a bridge support pillar, representing municipal infrastructure and utility planning. — The City of Pasco is pursuing state and federal funding to replace the Butterfield Water Treatment Plant and construct a new Road 76 overpass. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The City of Pasco is launching a push for state and federal funding to support major infrastructure projects, including a new Road 76 overpass and the replacement of the aging Butterfield Water Treatment Plant. Officials are prioritizing these requests to address rapid growth and prevent significant hikes in resident water rates.

Why it matters

Securing external funding is crucial for Pasco to manage its infrastructure needs without imposing the full financial burden on local utility customers. Without this support, city officials warn that water rates could nearly double over the next four years.

The city is seeking $30 million for the Road 76 overpass and $3 million for a US 12 traffic study, alongside an estimated $220 million to $260 million required to replace the 1946-era Butterfield Water Treatment Plant.

The players

Pasco City Council

The local governing body responsible for determining city legislative priorities and overseeing the management of municipal utilities.

Washington State Legislature

The state government body that deliberates on funding allocations and legislative priorities impacting local infrastructure projects.

The details

The city council is reviewing these priorities to mitigate the impact of traffic growth and aging utility assets. The proposed Road 76 project is designed to reduce daily vehicle miles by 6,300 by 2045, while the traffic study on US 12 from A Street to Tank Farm/Sacajawea Park Road aims to improve safety following a rise in local collisions.

1946 marks the original construction year of the Butterfield Water Treatment Plant.
October 26, 2026, is when the City Council meets for a workshop on funding priorities.
2027 is the year the city establishes its formal legislative priorities.
January 11, 2027, marks the beginning of the Washington State Legislature session.
2045 is the target year for the projected 6,300 daily vehicle mile reduction.

Market Landscape

The city's infrastructure strategy follows the established pattern of utilizing federal funding instruments like the Surface Transportation Block Grant. This proactive approach to project financing positions Pasco to modernize legacy systems while competing for limited state and federal infrastructure dollars.

Residents may see their water rates nearly double over the next four years if the city fails to secure the necessary outside funding for the water treatment plant. Successfully obtaining these grants is intended to keep local utility bills stable while financing long-term public works.

The takeaway

Proactive investment in aging infrastructure is essential for maintaining service affordability as city populations grow. Residents are encouraged to monitor upcoming council workshops to stay informed about how municipal funding strategies directly affect their utility costs.

What happens next

The Pasco City Council will hold a workshop meeting to finalize these priorities on October 26, 2026, followed by the commencement of the Washington State Legislature session on January 11, 2027.