The Beacon Hill Sewer District will receive $400,000 in upgrades at two water system pump stations, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray’s office announced Thursday.

The money will be used to replace the aging Alderwood pump station to provide additional fire flow capacity. The existing building housing the pump equipment is not structurally sound and doesn’t have enough room for the third pump needed for fire protection.

The money also will be used to replace the Williams Finney pump station and hydropneumatic tank, both of which have passed their expected life span. The controls between the pump station and tank also have failed and require replacement.

The projects will improve reliability and safety service,” said Kim Adamson, the sewer district’s general manager. Officials estimate the construction project will employ 117 people directly and support an additional 42 indirect jobs in manufacturing and service related fields, according to a press release.

The money was included in the final version of the 2010 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill and is expected to be signed into law by President Barack Obama soon.

The money is officially going to the Cowlitz PUD, which is in the process of transferring its water supply system to Beacon Hill. The sewer district already operates and maintains the water supply system.