Our History & Services Video
Kitsap Public Utility District (KPUD ) is a municipal corporation in Washington State with incorporated boundaries parallel to Kitsap County. Our mission is strengthening Kitsap communities through responsive and sustainable utility services.
1940
- KPUD was formed at the general election of 1940 by a vote of the county’s electorate to explore providing electrical service as a public special purpose District instead of a private company
- U.S. entry into World War II and rapid growth in and around the naval shipyard at Bremerton initially delayed and eventually precluded assumption of electric service in Kitsap County by KPUD
1950s through 1960s
- 1959 – The District initiated several actions to study regional water resources in Kitsap County
- 1963 – KPUD’s Board, recognized the necessity for long-range water supply plans to avert future shortages
- Regional resource plans, studies, and assessments have taken on increasing importance
1970s
- 1970’s – KPUD began providing utility service as a water system manager through the assumption of several small, privately owned water systems and municipal water districts
- In many cases, these systems suffered from lack of money, substandard design and installation, and poor operation, prior to the District’s involvement
- KPUD has continued to improve and correct deficiencies inherited with those systems, and function as the recipient of failing systems on behalf of Kitsap County
- KPUD is responsible for providing technical, managerial, financial, operational and support services to assure the provision of a sound water resource development and a reliable utility service
1980s
- Late 1980s – The District was designated lead agency for development of the county Coordinated Water system Plan and the county Ground Water Management Plan
- In the process, KPUD initiated a comprehensive, county-wide water resource monitoring program which includes well water levels, rainfall, stream flow and Well Identification Number program
- Additionally, KPUD drilled a series of test wells to improve the understanding of county aquifers
1990s
- 1996 and 1997 – The District, in coordination with the State Department of Ecology, produced the first locally funded Initial Basin Assessment
- The report pioneered a peer review process for basin assessments, provided a broader scope than earlier assessments, and initiated an “open file” on Kitsap County water resources that is continuing to grow as other follow up studies are pursued
Geographic Information System
- The District established a Geographic Information System (GIS) program which is integrated with the county system and produces the water resource related material
- 1994 – The District was instrumental in starting a GIS users group that has served to coordinate the various entities in the county involved with this important new medium.
Water Education
- During the 1990s, KPUD conducted an aggressive water related education program from grade school to adults
- 1995 – The District was one of the prime movers in starting a very successful Annual Water Festival for grades 4 through 6
- 1997 – KPUD helped establish Kitsap County as a Ground Water Guardian community under the nation-wide Ground Water Guardian Program
KPUD Today
- Today, KPUD operations are governed by responsibilities warranted under Title 54, a Code of Washington which was revised in 2009