The Chehalis City Council approved the purchase of additional water rights from Marwood Farms during its Monday meeting, a move city staff said would be “key” to meet the city’s future water demands.
As it stands, the city will not be able to meet the projected water needs detailed in its 50-year growth model.
Chehalis will not receive the water rights right away, as the purchase of up to 160 acre feet of water rights has to be approved by the state Department of Ecology, which will then finalize the actual amount being allotted through the sale.
As such, the city is not required to pony up the agreed upon $2,800 per acre foot for the purchase agreement immediately, though it did invest $25,000 of earnest money into escrow for the measure.
