Kent City Council addresses water contamination, approves $2.1 million floodplain project & more

Infrastructure upgrades, public safety, and community engagement took center stage at the Feb. 17, 2026, Kent City Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.

The sessions highlighted the city’s proactive response to an environmental challenge discovered during a major water main replacement, ensuring the continued purity of the local water supply through swift soil remediation.

Beyond public works, the council celebrated a highly successful year of transportation grant funding and looked ahead to upcoming safety enhancements for pedestrians.

From multi-million dollar floodplain restorations to the creative buzz of the upcoming Kent Kids’ Art Day, the meeting underscored the city’s commitment to both its long-term resilience and its vibrant local culture.

Water Main Replacement Update

While replacing around 8,100 linear feet of water main throughout the city, a serious issue was found near Smith & Central Ave. The strong scent of petroleum was detected near the underground water main at this location. Soil samples were sent in for chemical analysis, and indeed the whole area was contaminated with petroleum. 

The priority is to protect the city’s water supply, so special gaskets were installed that keep petroleum from seeping into the water main. In addition, over 2,000 tons of contaminated soil was removed and replaced with clean fill. Fortunately, this contamination was caught before it seeped into the water supply. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the spill, and possible reimbursement to the city for the cost of the cleanup.

Transportation Grants Update

2025 was a great year for grant funding, with the city receiving a total of nearly $18 million for seven transportation grants. Grant opportunities were also discussed for 2026. The city will apply for a grant to fund sidewalk installation along Willis St, which will provide needed closure for a sidewalk gap. In addition, funding will be sought for an enhanced crossing at 4th Ave N and Harrison Street. Grants will also be sought to install extruded curbs to provide safer walking along several school routes.

Kent Kids’ Art Day

Young artists are invited to Kent Commons this Saturday for Kids’ Art Day. This event takes place from 10am to 3pm and costs $10 per child. It includes a dozen different art projects and live music. For more information see the above link.

Bids Approved

The council unanimously approved two bids for projects involving refreshing plastic markings and paint line striping on roads throughout the city. The plastic markings include stop bars and turn arrows. These, along with painted lane lines, get worn away with time and must be redone. These bids cost $286,000 and $372,000, respectively. 

A third bid, coming in at $2.1 Million, was approved for reestablishing a Mill Creek flood plain at the Little Property. This property was purchased by the city as part of its flood reduction plan.