POULSBO — The long-awaited Bond Road pump station project is ready to flow again after almost a yearlong delay.

The project was expected to be completed this year, but was postponed following an appeal filed by two property owners near the site and concerns from the Washington State Department of Ecology. It didn’t receive the final go-ahead from the state until late September.

The station is being built by First Western Associates in conjunction with the Olhava development and will handle all of the sewage from the northwest section of Poulsbo.

“Now it’s up to First Western,” City Engineer Andrzej Kasiniak said. “(Mark Zenger, president of First Western Associates) has the plans approved. Now he has to find a contractor.”

Once the pump station is completed, the city plans to install a force main along Bond Road between State Route 305 and Lindvig Road, Kasiniak said, adding that the force main will allow the city to reduce its dependence on the aging sewer line, which runs along the shore of Liberty Bay from Liberty Bay Auto to the Marine Science Center.

Since Sept. 29, 2005, an estimated 555,000 gallons of sewage has leaked into the bay during two breaks in the line.

“We’ll be able to assess it and see what can be done,” he said. “Right now, I don’t have many options. We will be doing the design to see which side of the road it will be on.”

As for the timing of the approval, Kasiniak said it was simply a matter of all of the pieces coming together.

However, Mayor Kathryn Quade was quick to praise State Rep. Bev Woods (R-Kingston) for her efforts in helping the project receive the much-needed approval.

“I certainly thank Rep. Woods for her assistance,” Quade said, adding State Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-Poulsbo) was also instrumental in pushing the pump station ahead. “I’m just glad it’s finally moving forward.”

Even though the sewer line along Liberty Bay hasn’t leaked in more than six months, Quade said the sooner both the pump station and force main are operational, the better things will be for both the environment and the city.

Councilman Mike Regis said the new pump station will allow the city to mothball the aging sewer line along the bay.

The line has a history of breaks, and it is just a matter of time before it reaches total failure, he said.

“We’re so behind on this pump station that we’re really in danger,” Regis said.