City of Rainier releases annual water quality report

This month, the City of Rainier released its annual water quality report for 2024, also known as its consumer confidence report.

The 2024 Annual Water Quality Report outlines the types of monitoring required by existing state and federal law, including testing for bacteria, nitrate, lead, copper, disinfectant byproducts and other inorganic, volatile and synthetic organic compounds.

Rainier Public Works Supervisor Theron Perry spoke about the report at the city’s monthly council meeting on Tuesday, May 13, saying “all of our water testing was great this last year.”
According to the report, no coliform bacteria was detected in the water system in 2024. Additionally, all tests showed that PFAS levels were under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum contaminant level (MCL), which is the highest level of contaminant allowed in drinking water, with many considered “non-detect.”

PFAS, or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are sometimes referred to as forever chemicals and have been linked to various health issues, including cancer and hormone disruption.

The City of Rainier has five active water wells and three reservoirs. Well 5 was discontinued in 1981 and is used for city park irrigation. The city uses Well 3 and Well 4 as its main sources of supply; the rest are used “for emergency supply only.”

Rainier does not add fluoride or chlorine to its drinking water supply.

The state Department of Health conducts a comprehensive survey on the city’s water every three years; the last survey was completed on Oct. 26, 2023.

To read the entire water quality report, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc8ph5a3.

During his mayor’s report at the council meeting, Mayor Robert Shaw said he would be communicating with Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders about acquiring funding for Flock Safety cameras in Rainier. Shaw mentioned the recent arrest of Jeffrey Zizz, who was charged in the kidnapping and murder of Marcia Norman in April, saying that the cameras helped “seal the deal.”

Flock cameras are used to read license plates and vehicle information to help with police investigations. The information is put into a database and can be accessed by Flock members after a crime has taken place. The cameras are not used to detect speeding.

Shaw said he’s in early talks with the mayors of Yelm, Tenino and Bucoda about applying for a collective grant for the cameras, with the thought of getting three installed in Rainier. Possible locations include one on State Route 507, another on Hubbard Road SE, and a final on SR 507 past the train trestle.

“We’re looking at $13,000 for three here,” Shaw said.

Shaw discussed the possibility of applying for the grant through one of the area’s Native American tribes, but did not specify which one. He later noted that Yelm already has Flock cameras installed.

“So, it may just be us, Tenino and Bucoda,” Shaw said.

In other news, Clerk-Treasurer Tami Justice announced a barbecue-style retirement party for Ron Gibson to be held at 3 p.m., June 27, at Wilkowski Park. Gibson was the city’s public works director for over three decades. He retired in 2024.

Charmayne Garrison, Rainier’s former city administrator, will also be honored at the party. Garrison retired in 2020 after spending over 25 years working in Rainier’s municipal government. Garrison did not receive an earlier retirement party because of the COVID pandemic.

Doug Bloom, owner of Rainier General Development, is sponsoring the party.

Justice also mentioned that the city was in the beginning stages of planning a local cleanup day.

The next Rainier City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, at 5 p.m.