King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) has received national recognition as a Utility of the Future Today for its beneficial use of Loop® biosolids. WTD is one of 65 water utilities being recognized for transformational work in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients.
King County South Treatment Plant
The Utility of the Future Today concept is being promoted as water systems face challenges such as aging infrastructure, water pollution, workforce shortages, and impacts of climate change, including drought, floods, storms, and sea level rise. The Utility of the Future Today program was launched in 2016 by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Research Foundation (WRF) and the WateReuse Association, with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The recognition celebrates the achievements of water utilities that transform from the traditional wastewater treatment system to a resource recovery center and leader in the overall sustainability and resilience of the communities they serve. WTD was recognized in 2016 and 2017 as a Utility of the Future Today, as well.
Carnation, Vashon and Brightwater Treatment Plants, plus Brightwater and South Plant’s Reclaimed Water programs, also received awards for Outstanding Performance from the Washington State Department of Ecology for meeting all state pollution limits, monitoring and reporting requirements, spill prevention planning, pretreatment, and operation demands outlined in their permits.
Additionally, several WTD treatment plants have been honored with NACWA Peak Performance and Platinum awards:
2019 Gold Awards (in recognition of its complete and consistent permit compliance during the calendar year)
- Carnation Treatment Plant
- Brightwater Treatment Plant
Platinum Awards
- Platinum 22 South Treatment Plant – in recognition of twenty-two years of complete and consistent NPDES permit compliance.
- Platinum 09 Vashon Treatment Plant – in recognition of nine years of complete and consistent NPDES permit compliance.
