06/02/2026
City of Airway Heights Initiates West Prairie Village Water System Feasibility Study
The City of Airway Heights Public Works Department was awarded grant funding in 2025 to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study evaluating potential water service alternatives for West Prairie Village (WPV).
The purpose of this study is to gather information, assess potential options, and provide decision-makers with the data needed to evaluate both the long-term viability of extending water service between the City of Airway Heights and West Prairie Village, as well as evaluating the cost to install and run a Granulate Active Carbon (GAC) filtration system at their existing well. No decisions have been made regarding future construction or consolidation of the two systems.
What the Grant Will Fund
The study will include:
➡ A feasibility analysis of consolidating the West Prairie Village and Airway Heights water systems.
➡ An evaluation of current water use within West Prairie Village.
➡ Identification and assessment of potential connection points.
➡ Evaluation of improvements that may be required for the existing WPV water system.
➡ Development of at least three potential alternatives for connecting the two systems.
➡ Cost estimates for Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration to address PFAS and PFOA concerns as an alternative to a piping solution.
➡ A financial evaluation of the various alternatives.
What the Grant Does Not Fund.
It is important to understand that the grant does not:
🚫 Guarantee that Airway Heights will ultimately provide water service to West Prairie Village.
🚫 Provide funding for future improvements.
🚫 Include Teen Challenge facilities in the study area.
🚫 Engineering Considerations
🚫 Several engineering and operational challenges will be examined as part of the study.
Potential connection routes along Deno Road and Craig Road each present unique considerations, including terrain, railroad crossings, utility placement, and overall constructability. The study will also evaluate appropriate water main sizing to balance water quality, chlorine residual requirements, water turnover, and fire flow demands.
Additional factors include compliance with City of Airway Heights standards, future maintenance responsibilities for on-site infrastructure, and long-term fire suppression needs.
Alternatives Under Evaluation.
The study will evaluate multiple potential alternatives, including:
- Deno Road connection utilizing an 8-inch public water main and a new WPV on-site water system while retaining the existing reservoir for fire protection.
- Deno Road connection utilizing a 12-inch public water main with Airway Heights-provided chlorine injection and a new WPV on-site system.
- Craig Road connection utilizing an 8-inch public water main and a new WPV on-site system while retaining the existing reservoir for fire protection.
- The placement of a GAC filtration system at their source well.
Rate Study and Long-Term Financial Planning.
In addition to the engineering analysis, the City will conduct a Rate Study to better understand the long-term financial implications of each alternative.
The study assumes any initial infrastructure improvements would be funded through grants and will evaluate:
Future operations and maintenance costs.
- Infrastructure replacement costs.
- Potential GAC filtration costs for PFAS/PFOA treatment.
- Development of a reasonable and equitable rate structure.
Life-cycle cost evaluations will also be completed for key infrastructure components, including:
- Water mains and valves with an estimated 75-year service life.
- Fire suppression reservoirs with an estimated 50-year service life and approximately $1.4 million in inflation-adjusted life-cycle costs.
- Chlorination facilities with an estimated 50-year service life and in inflation-adjusted life-cycle costs.
Additional Considerations
The study will also address Spokane County right-of-way and franchise agreement requirements, pavement restoration obligations, and other permitting considerations that could affect future project costs.
Because any future water main extension would likely operate as a dead-end water main rather than a looped system, service reliability during maintenance activities or emergencies will be evaluated. Billing options, including master metering versus direct customer metering, will also be reviewed.
Project Schedule
The grant-funded work includes two primary tasks:
Task 1 – Consolidation Feasibility Study
- Draft Report: July 31, 2026
- Final Report: March 31, 2027
Budget: Not to exceed $40,000
Task 2 – Rate Study
- Final Report: October 31, 2026
Budget: Not to exceed $10,000
The public from both water systems will be invited to comment on the draft study before the final report is prepared.
During recent City Council discussions, several community members asked about options for Teen Challenge that could be included in this effort. The City understands the interest in exploring solutions that could benefit additional properties throughout the area. However, this study is focused on evaluating water service alternatives for West Prairie Village. Completing this study is an important first step because it will provide critical engineering, operational, and financial information needed to better understand the feasibility of extending water service in this part of the West Plains. The findings from this study will help inform future discussions and potential opportunities, including whether additional areas or facilities could be considered in subsequent planning efforts.
Looking Ahead
This study represents an important opportunity to evaluate potential long-term water service solutions for West Prairie Village while ensuring responsible planning and stewardship of public resources. The City of Airway Heights is committed to conducting a thorough analysis and to providing transparent information throughout the study.
