A group of people in masks, hardhats and safety vest stand on a concrete structure with metal railings

Wastewater Operator-in-Training Program recognized with 2023 National Environmental Achievement Award

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) recognized King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s Operator-in-Training program as a 2023 National Environmental Achievement Award winner for “initiatives that have made a remarkable impact on environmental protection, the advancement of the water sector, and the betterment of their communities.” There’s a nationwide shortage of wastewater operators. Our…

Employee Spotlight: Drew Thompson, finalist for the Clean Tech Alliance Energy Leadership JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Award

Drew Thompson, Resource Recovery Project Manager for King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD),was recently a finalist for the 2022 Energy Leadership JEDI Award. The award, given by the Clean Tech Alliance, recognizes those who perform outstanding work to make the energy sector more equitable, support climate justice and diversity in the sector, and foster an…

Aerial photos of the five treatment plants

Celebrating our award-winning treatment plants

All five of King County’s wastewater treatment plants received 2021 National Association of Clean Water Agency’s (NACWA) Peak Performance Awards, honoring multiple consecutive years of compliance with state and federal effluent permit limits. Special congratulations go to Brightwater for earning its first Platinum award for five years of compliance – and to Vashon for Platinum…

The Georgetown station as viewed from the intersection.

The first Envision Platinum sustainability award in the state

King County’s Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station (WWTS) earned the coveted “Platinum” designation from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure’s Envision rating system. This is the first Platinum-awarded Envision project in Washington and recognizes the County’s commitment to sustainable communities and the environment. The Georgetown WWTS project in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood will treat up to 70…

Two men in hardhats and safety clothing stand smiling at the camera. A railing and trees are in the background.

If you live in the City of Carnation, do you know where water goes after you send it down the drain?

Unless you use a septic system, the water you send down the drain in the City of Carnation travels through pipes owned and maintained by the City of Carnation to King County’s Carnation Treatment Plant. At this plant, we process about 111,000 gallons of wastewater every day. After we treat the water, we release it…