A person in a orange safety slicker and navy blue pants sweeps with a broom around concrete structures and industrial equipment

How King County businesses help protect public health & the environment through our Industrial Waste program

Staff at our King County wastewater treatment plants do an excellent job of cleaning wastewater, but not all types of waste can be filtered out during the treatment process. Our Industrial Waste Program is in charge of preventing pollution from entering the wastewater system in the first place. That’s also where local business can make…

A woman wastewater operator in a orange safety shirt, mask, gloves and googles, holds up water samples

Wastewater could be a great career for you & we will PAY & train you to find out!

Operators work hands-on, out at our treatment plants Operators watch over large and complex industrial equipment and the flows going through them – from both on-the-ground and from computer monitoring systems. They check readings and take water samples to make sure things are running smoothly – troubleshooting when necessary. They often work as part of…

A wastewater operator sits facing away from us, in front of multiple computer screens that help monitor the treatment plant processes

As rainy weather approaches, we are on the job 24/7

Our crews are on the job 24/7, 365 days a year to ensure the region’s wastewater treatment service – and that remains true as we move into the rainy season. Workers are ready to respond around the clock and work hard to be well-prepared for stormy weather or an emergency. To make sure we’re ready…

Banner with a photo of Lake WA and Mt Rainier and text that says construction in Mercer Island & Bellevue to start early 2022

Major construction in Mercer Island & Bellevue to start early next year

Our relationship to water is what makes this region special.  King County is a partner in this relationship. Regional wastewater treatment plays a key role in keeping our rivers, lakes, streams, and the Puget Sound clean for people and aquatic life. We manage a big regional wastewater system that needs regular inspection, maintenance, and upgrades…

Puget Sound view from the SoundGuardian boat

Reducing nitrogen in Puget Sound where it matters

King County is committed to protecting water quality and reducing harm to fish and aquatic life in Puget Sound’s shallow bays caused by human sources of nitrogen. The Department of Natural Resources and Parks supports a science-based approach that capitalizes on innovation and technology and focuses public resources where they can make a real difference.…

Green roof at Sunset Pump Station

Making projects sustainable, resilient, and equitable

King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is being recognized for its commitment to sustainable communities and the environment. WTD’s Sunset / Heathfield Pump Stations and force main upgrade project was awarded an Envision® Silver Award this month for project sustainability. This is the second Envision-certified project for the region’s wastewater utility. In 2018, King County’s…

Aerial view of the West Point Treatment Plant

Charging ahead with reliable battery power for West Point Treatment Plant

The West Point Treatment Plant processes about 100 million gallons of wastewater each day, and up to 440 million gallons during heavy rains. While the plant’s operators are working hard to keep the treatment process flowing smoothly, a momentary lapse of power supply quality can bring vital equipment operations to a hard stop.   That’s why in February 2021, King County Executive Dow Constantine signed an emergency declaration and the King County Council authorized up to $65 million to provide West Point with more reliable power. The team…

Construction of a wastewater facility

Wastewater employees’ thoughtful approach earns industry award

Our employees plan, design, build, and operate treatment facilities to clean wastewater for the region. Planning and building new wastewater infrastructure is complex. It can easily take a decade or more to go from identifying a project is needed, to cutting the ribbon on a newly completed facility. Each project goes through several phases of…