King County Wastewater Treatment Division

Wastewater Treatment Operator Tyler Stiltner wearing a high visibility jacket stands near flooded land in Carnation.

Operations

December 12, 2025

Stranded but steady: Operator keeps Carnation Treatment Plant running during atmospheric river

When flooding cut off the Carnation Treatment Plant, Wastewater Operator Tyler Stiltner stayed onsite to keep it running.

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A WTD operator stands beside a large multi-cylinder generator used for emergency power.

Operations

November 26, 2025

Rainy season is here, meet our backup generators

Our backup generators and offsite operators work together to keep pumps and critical equipment running when storms take out the power.

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A group of people wearing yellow hard hats and orange safety vests touring a wastewater treatment facility.

Water Quality

October 30, 2025

Protecting Puget Sound through source control

The King County Industrial Waste Program is offering treatment plant tours and conducting a comprehensive survey to help manage industrial pollutants, including PFAS and 6PPD-Q, that could enter our regional wastewater system and impact Puget Sound.

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Community People

October 24, 2025

Building independence through inclusion

At Brightwater Treatment Plant, young adults in the ATI program tackle real-world challenges while building confidence and job skills along the way. Their hands-on work not only transforms the landscape but also sparks personal growth, independence, and lasting pride.

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Two conveyance inspectors in high-visibility orange shirts and yellow hard hats standing behind a large sewer pipe-cleaning truck equipped with hoses and a control panel. One worker holds a remote control.

Infrastructure Operations People Sustainability Water Quality

September 12, 2025

New sewer cleaning truck extends the life of King County pipes

King County's new custom-built sewer cleaning truck uses high-pressure jets and filtered wastewater to clear debris from our 380-miles of pipe system.

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Three people in hard hats and safety vests tour an industrial facility, standing near a wall of metal pipes and yellow control boxes.

Operations Sustainability

August 13, 2025

When electrical demand peaks, South Plant quietly fires up its own power supply

When the region’s power grid is stretched, South Plant’s cogen system quietly switches on, generating its own electricity from biogas to keep the plant running and the community resilient.

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A group of firefighters in safety gear coordinates a rescue using ropes and equipment over an open hatch inside a treatment plant.

Operations

July 18, 2025

Firefighters train for real emergencies with rope rescue drill at South Plant

Joint training exercises at King County’s South Treatment Plant bring together firefighters and WTD staff to practice confined space rescues, using ropes, harnesses, and supplied air lines to keep everyone safe and ready for real emergencies.

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A smiling man in a patterned sweater speaks with a woman at the King County Jumpstart Contractor Network booth, surrounded by flyers, a laptop, and informational signs.

Community Infrastructure

June 11, 2025

Building the local economy through clean water projects

Clean water projects are creating more than infrastructure. They're creating opportunity. See how King County is supporting local jobs, small businesses, and a more equitable future.

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Four large engines painted in red and teal sit in a large industrial building.

Operations

May 8, 2025

West Point readies for new pump system to replace its aging ‘heartbeat’

The raw sewage pumps at West Point Treatment Plant perform a critical function, moving millions of gallons of wastewater and stormwater daily. Today, they are being upgraded to ensure reliability in our system.

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Community

March 25, 2025

Nonprofit partnerships aim to boost clean water careers in King County

King County nonprofits are breaking barriers to create a more inclusive wastewater workforce. Through collaborative community partnerships, a group of local nonprofits will be helping connect historically underrepresented groups with meaningful career opportunities in clean water management. The result? A…

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Infrastructure Operations

February 6, 2025

The Super Flush: A myth that won’t go down the drain

Every year, as millions gather for the Super Bowl, an old urban legend resurfaces.

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WTD Updates

December 24, 2024

Closing out 2024 with big wins for Puget Sound

Looking back at our biggest achievements of 2024 in protecting Puget Sound and advancing sustainability.

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Clean Water Stories

from King County

Stranded but steady: Operator keeps Carnation Treatment Plant running during atmospheric river

Rainy season is here, meet our backup generators

Protecting Puget Sound through source control

Building independence through inclusion

New sewer cleaning truck extends the life of King County pipes

When electrical demand peaks, South Plant quietly fires up its own power supply

Firefighters train for real emergencies with rope rescue drill at South Plant

Building the local economy through clean water projects

West Point readies for new pump system to replace its aging ‘heartbeat’

Nonprofit partnerships aim to boost clean water careers in King County

The Super Flush: A myth that won’t go down the drain

Closing out 2024 with big wins for Puget Sound

Clean Water Stories

from King County

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