At Monday’s study session Sumner City Council reviewed a partnership with Cascade Water Alliance, which will ensure the four cities meet their water needs over the next 50 years.

Auburn, Bonney Lake and Buckley share with Sumner in the agreement.

Sumner has been seeking a source of water for its future in order to accommodate a rising population.

“Water is something we all need,” said Mayor Dave Enslow, “and the more we work together, the better off we’ll be tomorrow and 50 years from now to provide ample, good water at the least expense to our citizens. This way, we all win.”

Cascade Water Alliance is a nonprofit corporation and purchased Lake Tapps from Puget Sound Energy (PSE) for future municipal water supply. Cascade includes Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, and Tukwila and three municipal districts in Covington, the Sammamish Plateau and Skyway.

Once Sumner’s water rights are approved by the State Department of Ecology the city may draw water from Cascade’s reserves in the White River.

Mayor Enslow will join Mayor Neil Johnson of Bonney Lake, Mayor Pat Johnson of Buckley and Mayor Peter B. Lewis of Auburn in the Lake Tapps Municipal Advisory group, along with Cascade members to discuss the management of Lake Tapps.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Sumner’s staff on this effort,” said Lloyd Warren, chair of the board of directors of Cascade Water Alliance. “Mayor Dave Enslow’s leadership helped make this groundbreaking agreement possible,” he said.