Photos & Story by Don Backman
The City of Bay City announced that is has completed the installation of two seismic valves on two of the city’s water reservoir tanks. “This is a critical part of the City’s preparation for disasters, including the predicted Cascadia fault earthquake and Tsunami,” Liane Welch, Bay City Mayor, explained.
“I want to thank Suzanne Weber for her support during the 2023 legislative process, and she sponsored and shepherded our application,” Welch added. “Bay City will be cut off in the event of a major earthquake and tsunami and the water will be there to help us.” Welch went on to reiterate that the grant and the valves would not have happened without the work Suzanne Weber put in.
“It was a pleasure to work with you,” Senator Weber said. “I am pleased with what you have done and pleased that I was able to help.” The process took two years to complete. The special valves have to be built to order. The project cost $250,000.
“These valves will automatically shut off the flow of water in an earthquake,” Roy Markee, Public Works Manager for Bay City, explained to the group assembled at the water tank on Pennsylvania Avenue. “That way, when the water pipes break in an earthquake, we don’t lose all of our water.”
Safe drinking water is one of the most critical needs in a disaster. In the event of the Cascadia Fault Earthquake and Tsunami, it is likely that residents between the Kilchis River and 101 bridge and the Miami-River Bridge will be cut off in an “island” due to bridge damage. The existing water systems will suffer catastrophic damage and will not be repairable. This will be happening all along the Oregon and Washington coastlines.
While everyone who lives in the Bay City island between Juno Hill and the Miami River Bridge are all encouraged to have their own water filtering system such as a Sawyer Squeeze or other portable system and understand sanitation, a reservoir of safe water will save lives. Bay City also installed a hand pump system at the reservoir that can be used to fill water containers in the event that the water pipes are damaged.
“This tank holds up to 500,000 gallons,” Markee said. “We have another tank on Juno Hill that holds 500,000 gallons that has the second seismic valve.” Bay City is building a second tank on Juno Hill that will also hold 500,000 gallons. These tanks will both be connected to the second seismic valve. Bay City currently has four reservoirs and two are equipped with the seismic valves.
The Bay City water system on Juno Hill primarily supplies water to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, Sollie Smith road, and that area. In addition, through the intertie between Bay City and Tillamook, Bay City has supplied water to Tillamook, too.
The City of Bay City in partnership with the Bay City Emergency Volunteers (BCEV) is continually working on preparing for potential disasters, including the predicted Cascadia Fault earthquake and Tsunami event. Communities along the coast, such as Bay City, Rockaway Beach, and Cannon Beach, are looking for ways to help residents after such an event. The seismic valves are one part of this process.
The Bay City Emergency Volunteers meet on the third Monday of each month at 5:30 PM in the city hall. They are looking for people from inside Bay City and around Bay City, such as Idaville or Pike Road, who want to help their neighborhoods prepare. In a significant major disaster, emergency services are overwhelmed, and it is up to neighbors to help neighbors. In the worst-case scenario, the Cascadia event, there may not be emergency services for a long time.
To learn more about Bay City’s efforts to prepare for disaster, reach out to Bay City City Hall at 503-377- 2288.