A recently completed $5 million upgrade to a water pump station in the Queensgate area will improve its efficiency while also increasing available drinking water for future growth in south Richland and West Richland. 

Both cities announced the completion of the project to improve the Tapteal 1 Pump Station on March 31. Upgrades include relocating the pump station to a lower elevation to improve efficiency, installation of onsite chlorine generation and a backup diesel generator. 

Its capacity is now 13,000 gallons of potable water per minute, which city officials said provides room for future development in the area served by the pump. 

The project was paid for by a combination of Richland’s water utility funds as well as funds contributed by the city of West Richland.