Member Spotlight: Covington Water District

Did you know that Covington Water District was started in 1960 and had fewer than 100 customers? Sixty-three years later, the district delivers clean, safe, quality drinking water through 322 miles of pipe to more than 50,000 residents and businesses through about 19,000 connections! The Covington Water District serves a 55-square-mile area including parts of Covington, Maple Valley, Black Diamond and unincorporated King County.
 
The district employs about 40 people and is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners who follow regulations implemented and enforced by the Washington State Department of Health. The organization’s mission is, “Serving quality water with excellent customer service, commitment to strategic and emergency planning, fiscal responsibility, regulatory compliance, stewardship and partnerships since 1960.”
 
The Covington Water District joined the Covington Chamber in October 1992, shortly after the chamber was founded. They have been a strong partner ever since, sponsoring events, serving on committees and our board, and participating in programs like Ready Set Play. Some of the water district’s other area partners include the City of Covington, the Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber, and the Regional Water Supply System (RWSS).
 
Three important facts to know about the water district:

1. The district is committed to going green and trying to be as green as possible, including the use of electric cars and trucks, leading by example.
2. A micro-hydro turbine facility powers the water district’s administration building with the flow of water through a transmission pipeline. The turbine offsets about 82% of energy costs, and it charges the growing fleet of electric vehicles.
3. The Covington Water District has not raised their rates in 7 years!

 
Fun facts about the district

• They won the Best Overall Tasting Water award in 2020 and 2020 from the King County Subsection of the PNWS-AWWA.
• In 2022, the district delivered just over 2 billion gallons of water with an average of 5.54 million gallons per day.
• They have 12 production wells and 4 treatment facilities.
• They educate their community stakeholders through education and outreach, working with local schools, agencies and industry partners. You’ll see them at community events like Covington Days, Covington Makers’ Market and visiting school classrooms.
• The Covington Water District helped secure $220 million for the Howard Hanson Dam.

 
We are proud to have the Covington Water District as a long-time member of the chamber and Denzel Jones, business analyst, as a member of the Covington Chamber board. Previously, Tom Keown, P.E., General Manager, of Covington Water District served on our board for a number of years, including serving as board chair. Learn more about the Covington Water District at CovingtonWater.com. 
 
Thank you to the Covington Water District for supporting our residents and businesses with their services and by doing so with integrity. We appreciate you!

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