Highlands Water Pressure Conversion

The area in the pink zone will be returning to a 510-pressure gradient this summer with the addition of a new temporary regional booster pump station. A construction schedule is provided below.

Council authorized staff at its Jan. 6, 2026 meeting to move forward with a temporary regional booster pump station project in the Highlands Neighborhood. This project, or Alternative No. 4, will create a new, smaller 510-pressure gradient zone in the upper Highlands neighborhood as a temporary solution to boost the pressure at the highest elevations in the neighborhood until a longer-term solution is implemented. The new 510-zone is anticipated to go live in June 2026. Map diagram(PDF, 2MB) depicting Alternative 4 pressure zone and improvements.

Time to inspect your PRV
With this return to a higher pressure gradient, residents should experience a return to the water pressure they experienced before the 2024 zone conversion. For many residents, pressures before the zone conversion were over 80 psi which required an individual pressure reducing valve known as a PRV. After the zone conversion and pressure reduction, those residents may have removed or disabled their PRV. To prepare for the pressure conversion in June, the City advises that those residents reinstall or inspect their PRV to ensure that it is operational. Failure to do so could result in damage to their home. For more information, refer to this Frequently Asked Questions(PDF, 104KB) resource. 

Can I still use the Rebate Program?
If you have experienced a reduction in water pressure resulting from the City's zone conversion, you may be eligible for a rebate to make upgrades to your home's plumbing or install a pressure booster pump. Improvements must be pre-approved and installed no later than June 30, 2026. Click the link below to sign up for an in-home assessment and receive rebate program information.  Sign up here for an in-home assessment 

Need assistance? Contact Maria Mikulak, Senior Project Engineer. 
We are here to help navigate special circumstances. The goal of this program is to support affected Highlands residents in increasing their water pressure.  

The City of Kirkland has compiled a list of vendors that have expressed interest in providing services to Highlands neighborhood residents who are considering the installation of a booster pump. These vendors have previously worked with residents within the City or surrounding areas and are generally familiar with the nature of this type of work. Inclusion on this list does not constitute a recommendation, endorsement, or guarantee of availability, pricing, or performance by the City. All services are subject to vendor availability and must be independently arranged by the resident. The City assumes no responsibility or liability for the selection, performance, quality of work, or outcomes of any services provided by these vendors. Interested-Vendor-Lists.pdf(PDF, 61KB)

Estimated Construction Schedule
Upper Highlands Temporary Regional Booster Pump Station
Please note that this schedule is preliminary and may change due to weather conditions and material availability.

April through June:

• Construction of check valve stations along 116th Ave NE:
• • North location (near Forbes Creek Park)
  • South location (near NE 95th St)
• Relocation of PSE gas utilities near 116th Ave NE and NE 95th St
• Installation of new PSE electrical power connection near Forbes Creek Park
• Construction of the temporary booster pump station near Forbes Creek Park

End of June
The temporary regional booster pump station is anticipated to reach substantial completion

Residents in the gray zone will be remaining at the current 450-pressure gradient. 

Homes with Fire Sprinklers
The 2024 water pressure zone adjustment in the upper Highlands neighborhood improved fire flow throughout the neighborhood. Despite the safety benefits to the entire neighborhood, this change may have affected the operation of some in-home fire sprinkler systems. To ensure fire suppression systems are functioning properly and to inform future water system improvement evaluations, the City is offering voluntary testing at no cost. Homes eligible for testing were mailed offer letters. If you did not receive a letter, contact Maria Mikulak, Senior Project Engineer to receive the information. The deadline to apply for the fire sprinkler bucket test is May 1st. 

Can I still participate in the Rebate Program? 
If you have experienced a reduction in water pressure resulting from the City's zone conversion, you may be eligible for a rebate to make upgrades to your home's plumbing or install a pressure booster pump. Improvements must be pre-approved and installed no later than December 31, 2026. Click the link below to sign up for an in-home assessment and receive rebate program information. Sign up here for an in-home assessment

Need assistance? Contact Maria Mikulak, Senior Project Engineer. 
We are here to help navigate special circumstances. The goal of this program is to support affected Highlands residents in increasing their water pressure.  

The City of Kirkland has compiled a list of vendors that have expressed interest in providing services to Highlands neighborhood residents who are considering the installation of a booster pump. These vendors have previously worked with residents within the City or surrounding areas and are generally familiar with the nature of this type of work. Inclusion on this list does not constitute a recommendation, endorsement, or guarantee of availability, pricing, or performance by the City. All services are subject to vendor availability and must be independently arranged by the resident. The City assumes no responsibility or liability for the selection, performance, quality of work, or outcomes of any services provided by these vendors.Interested-Vendor-Lists.pdf(PDF, 61KB)

New Temporary Regional Booster Pump Station Coming June 2026 
Council authorized staff to move forward with a temporary regional booster pump station project in the Highlands Neighborhood at its January 6, 2026 meeting. This project, or Alternative #4, will create a new, smaller 510 pressure gradient zone in the Upper Highlands neighborhood as a temporary solution to boost the pressure at the highest elevations in the neighborhood while a longer-term solution is implemented. The new 510 zone is anticipated to go live in June 2026.

Map diagram(PDF, 2MB) depicting Alternative 4 pressure zone and improvements.

The Kirkland City Council formally accepted petition from households in the Highlands neighborhood requesting immediate action to improve or restore water pressure to Upper Highlands at its September 18, 2025 Council meeting and referred it to staff for follow-up. City Council acted again at the October 7th meeting and directed staff to expedite analysis of capital improvement alternatives to restore pressure to the neighborhood while still maintaining the benefits of zone conversion. These alternatives, and Resolution R-5697, were presented to City Council at the October 21st meeting during the Study Session and Business portions of the agenda. Council received the information, made several amendments to the Resolution, and the Resolution passed unanimously. A letter acknowledging acceptance of the petition with a project update will be mailed to petitioners in early December. 

Resolution R-5697 also addresses many of the concerns about the financial assistance mitigation program identified by the neighborhood in the petition. Staff are directed to expand, adapt, and expedite the program to ensure it serves as many residents as are interested. Staff are working on the expansion and will release program revisions in January 2026. Interested residents may still apply.

Most recently, Council further directed staff at its November 18th Council meeting to advance design of a fourth alternative. At Council’s direction, staff are now working on initial design of this alternative to include in a feasibility evaluation update that will be presented to City Council in January 2026.

Links to these Council memos, resolution, and presentations are available in the "City Council Action" sidebar. Meeting recordings are available on the City Council webpage.

In mid-June, the City launched a rebate program to assist eligible residents with improvements to water pressure within their homes. Earlier this year, approximately 46 households enrolled to receive in-home assessments provided by the City. Based on existing PSI levels and individual household needs,the City produced three targeted program options that best align with the conditions and needs identified during the in-home assessments.

Since then, we've heard from additional residents who were not aware of the program. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, we are reopening the sign-up form for in-home assessments. If you are experiencing low water pressure, we encourage you to schedule an assessment using the provided link here: City of Kirkland Highlands Neighborhood In-Home Assessment Sign Up.

Please note: Signing up for an in-home assessment implies your interest in participating in the rebate program. If you would like more information before signing up, please contact Maria Mikulak, Associate Project Engineer, at mmikulak@kirklandwa.gov or 425-587-3294.

In addition to addressing individual household needs, the City is also evaluating broader water pressure concerns in the Upper Highlands neighborhood. As part of the ongoing update to the City’s Water Comprehensive Plan, our consultant is reviewing potential adjustments to the area’s pressure gradient. These options will be thoroughly assessed. If a preferred solution is identified and approved, it will be added to the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which determines the project’s priority, design schedule, and construction timeline. The City Council will receive information on project alternatives at its October 21, 2025 meeting during the Study Session.

We remain committed to improving water service for all residents and will continue to share updates as they become available.

In mid-June, the City launched a rebate program to assist eligible residents with improvements to water pressure within their homes. Earlier this year, approximately 46 households enrolled to receive in-home assessments provided by the City. Based on the findings, primarily the existing PSI levels and individual household needs, the City produced three targeted program options that best align with the conditions and needs identified during the in-home assessments.

To provide additional clarity and support, City staff held a community meeting in late June to answer questions and provide guidance regarding the rebate program. Residents are now actively participating in the program. Please note that the rebate program will close on October 1st, 2026.

The City is also evaluating the broader water pressure issues affecting the Highlands neighborhood. As part of the ongoing update to the City’s Water Comprehensive Plan, the City's consulting civil engineer is reviewing potential adjustments to the pressure gradient in the area. These options will be thoroughly evaluated. If a preferred solution is identified and approved, it will be incorporated into the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Inclusion in the CIP will determine the project's ranking, as well as the timeline for its design, bidding, and construction phases. 

The City and its contractor, RHD Enterprises, have completed over 40 in-home assessments for residents in the Highlands neighborhood. Once final, the results of the assessments will be provided to each resident. The goal of these assessments is to inform final eligibility criteria for a rebate program to address water pressure challenges in Highlands residents’ homes before peak demand is expected during the summer of 2025. The rebate program will be available to eligible Highlands residents who participated in the in-home assessments and were living in their home before the final water system tie-ins were complete on October 1, 2024. Staff are reviewing the results of the assessments and finalizing rebate program details. The program will be announced to the residents who received an assessment in May.

In late February, Kirkland staff awarded a contract to RHD Enterprises to assess the water pressure conditions within Highlands residents’ homes. Shortly thereafter, RHD contacted residents who signed up for an assessment to schedule the visit. As of mid-March, 40 residents have received an assessment. The final deadline for assessment sign-ups is March 31st. The goal of these assessments is to inform final eligibility criteria for a rebate program to address water pressure challenges in Highlands residents’ homes before peak demand is expected during the summer of 2025. The rebate program is available to eligible Highlands residents who sign up for an in-home assessment and were living in their home before the final water system tie-ins were complete on October 1, 2024. Residents who are interested but have not yet signed up can do so using the online form at the link below before March 31, 2025.  

The Kirkland Public Works team received and evaluated responses to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to hire a plumbing contractor or consultant to assess the water pressure conditions within Highlands residents’ homes. The team made a selection and are in final negotiations on scope and price for the contract. Once finalized, staff and the contractor will contact residents who have signed up for consultation to schedule the visit. The goal of these assessments is to inform final eligibility criteria for a rebate program to address water pressure challenges in Highlands residents’ homes before peak demand is expected during the summer of 2025. The rebate program is available to eligible Highlands residents who sign up for an in-home consultation and were living in their home before the final water system tie-ins were complete on October 1, 2024.

The Kirkland Public Works team has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to hire a plumbing contractor or consultant to assess the water pressure conditions within Highlands residents' homes. The selected contractor or consultant will conduct evaluations and provide recommendations to optimize household water pressure for those homeowners who have signed up for a consultation. The City is currently awaiting responses to the RFQ and anticipates making a final selection by the end of this year. The assessments are scheduled to begin in early 2025, with the goal of addressing water pressure challenges in the Highlands community before the peak demand expected during the summer of 2025. Once the contractor is selected, staff will contact residents who have signed up for a consultation to begin scheduling.

The final two water main connections were complete at the end of September. Immediately after, our team and consultants tested the system. Our preliminary results confirm the neighborhood is at the predicted pressure levels for the gradient change. However, staff are hearing from residents the pressure change has impacted the performance of residents’ homes to a degree the project modeling did not anticipate. The City is offering in-home consultations to gather more information about how the change in water pressure is affecting individual home functionality. Residents may sign up for a consultation by clicking the button under the November update.

Kirkland Public Works remains in close contact with the contractors working on the I-405 and NE 87th crossing and construction near the old Costco headquarters. Both of these projects have had an impact on water pressure available for some of Highlands’ residents during peak demand hours of 4am to 7am. The latest timelines from the projects’ contractors show the water main connections are planned to be completed by early October. Once work is complete, the City will test and evaluate the water system and make calculated adjustments as needed. The City will provide another update in early October.

Kirkland Public Works is aware of recent additional water pressure changes in the Highlands neighborhood. These additional changes are due to two ongoing construction projects occurring during peak seasonal water demand. As of July 25th, the new 405 crossing and NE 87th water line was activated, but construction is not complete. Public Works is collaborating with WSDOT and its contractor Graham to accelerate the water main buildout. Additionally, construction on the old Costco headquarters site (10800 block of 120th Ave NE) has impacted the water feed, affecting hydraulic capabilities. Maintenance crews are continuing to monitor pressure levels closely and make calculated adjustments to the system over time. We thank residents for their patience as adjustments are made and ask you to direct any questions or requests for service through the Our Kirkland Portal on the City's website.