Study urges Coupeville to start small wastewater reuse pilot with phased approach

A study released March 2, 2026 recommends Coupeville begin small with a wastewater reuse pilot and a phased approach proposed by engineers, placing a near-term decision point on the town and Island County utilities. The study's headline recommendation directs a modest pilot as the first step rather than a full-scale system rollout for Coupeville's wastewater handling.

The initial release tied to the March 2 study did not include the engineering firm name, pilot scale, cost estimates, or a detailed permitting timeline; the copy available to the public stopped after a truncated line that began "What: A recently released engin" and provided no further specifics on phases, budgets, or target reuse applications. That lack of technical and financial detail will require follow-up from town staff and the study authors before a pilot can be scoped or funded.

Coupeville's recommendation arrives against a backdrop of county planning documents that emphasize careful, cost-aware study before major infrastructure investments. The Island County Solid Waste and Moderate Risk Waste Management Plan, prepared by the Solid Waste Advisory Committee on November 16, 2018, lists specific implementation actions and cost estimates. The plan's Table ES-1 includes: "T&D2) A study should be conducted for additional capacity at ICSWC. SW Medium 2019 - 2020 $50,000" and "T&D3) A waste export and disposal RFP should be prepared. SW High Begin 2021 Staff time," showing past scheduling and a $50,000 figure for an Island County Solid Waste Center capacity study.

The 2018 plan also cautioned about the expense of detailed local studies for waste characterization. The MRW1 passage states that "a detailed local study would, however, cost a substantial amount ($100,000 to $200,000) and so is not being recommended at this time" while advising that "a detailed study should be considered prior to any substantial investments in Island County that depend on the composition of the waste stream" and that grants should be used if available. Chapter 4 of the same plan notes market constraints for recyclables: "The markets for recyclable materials are currently experiencing significant challenges. Because of these problems, this Plan recommends not expanding recycling programs until a later date, and for now addressing contamination issues, continuing to make changes in programs as necessary, and encouraging markets by using recycled products."

Operational and regulatory items from the 2018 plan remain relevant to a Coupeville pilot. Table ES-1 also records "T&D4) Continue to examine options to reduce or eliminate ground water monitoring at the old Coupeville landfill. SW Low Ongoing NA" and "T&D5) Evaluate future proposals for new technologies on a case-by-case basis. SW Medium Ongoing NA," tying landfill monitoring and technology evaluation to Island County Solid Waste work. Figure 2-3 in Chapter 2 locates county facilities relevant to any reuse or disposal planning, listing sites such as North Whidbey, Coupeville SW Complex, Camano Transfer Station and Bayview Dropbox, with map data attributed to Google 2018.

Before Coupeville can move from recommendation to action, town officials and Island County Solid Waste staff will need the engineering study's full text, names and credentials of the engineers, pilot size and sites, cost and funding sources, and a phased timeline tied to permitting requirements and public outreach. The 2018 planning record and its explicit cost references - $50,000 for an ICSWC capacity study and $100,000 to $200,000 estimated for a detailed waste composition study if undertaken - set a fiscal context that the March 2 study will have to address if the town is to proceed with a small pilot and subsequent phases.