Townsend begins testing $14 million water-system project ahead of August 2026 startup

Townsend has begun testing its delayed water-system project as the city prepares to bring a new water tower and related improvements online in August 2026.

The project has an approximate budget of $14 million. The current testing phase, known as commissioning, is the step between completing construction work and placing the system into service.

Testing follows project delays

Testing began after delays affected the project. Before commissioning started, two reported water-treatment issues were successfully addressed, according to reporting on the project.

City officials said the treatment work was included in the project’s overall budget. The work therefore was not described as an additional expense beyond the approximately $14 million project cost.

The project includes the new water tower as well as broader improvements to Townsend’s water system. If the system completes testing and enters service as planned, the project could improve the city’s water capacity and reliability.

August is the target month

The expected operational month is August 2026, but the exact date for bringing the system online has not been identified. The project remains in testing and commissioning rather than being described as fully operational.

That distinction is important for residents and businesses that rely on the city’s water system. Testing is intended to confirm that the new infrastructure and related treatment work are ready to operate together before the city makes the transition to service.

The reported update does not provide final test results or a final capacity figure for the completed system. Those details would help show how the improvements will affect the city’s water service once commissioning is finished.

For Townsend, the planned August startup would be the next major milestone in a significant city utility investment. The immediate step is completing the testing process, followed by placing the water tower and other system improvements into operation.

The City of Townsend’s website carries a 2026 water-pressure announcement and provides city government and utility information. Residents can use the city’s announcements and utility updates to follow the project as the August target approaches.