ANACORTES, Wash. — Anacortes is the first city in the nation to try a new and unusual method that will ultimately provide residents with cheaper, locally owned internet.

The City of Anacortes is running fiber optic cables through their water pipes.

Public Works director Fred Buckenmeyer told KUOW that a skinny plastic “internet tube” will sit inside the pipes.

He says this approach cost less than the alternative, which would involve digging under the Skagit River, the Swinomish Slough and 15 miles of farms, wetlands, streets and sidewalks along the way.

Officials from the City of Anacortes are hoping to entice customers away from Comcast.