Our business is unconventional – and that works for a lot of our employees We get it. Any of us who work here at King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) have been asked what we do for a living – and we’ve seen the smirks and heard the giggles when we explain we help run…
When local closures began in the spring of 2020 due to COVID-19, our utility’s employees quickly adapted to assure our essential services to the public continued. We also moved many of our interactions with the public online – such as meetings and educational classes. Keeping our operators healthy so we can protect YOUR health King…
Many developing Asian countries face unique challenges delivering quality wastewater services. In an effort to mentor these communities and help them protect human health and the environment, a team of our employees participated in information sharing through the Water Operators Partnership (WOP) that supports improved sanitation in Mongolia. The partnership is financially sponsored by the Asian Development…
In the summer of 2020, the tiny community of Mansfield, WA (population 343) found itself smack dab in the middle of several wildfires between July and September. The largest fire, the Pearl Hill Fire, got a few thousand yards from town. Some residents lost everything. The Seattle Times published a map showing fires surrounding Mansfield…
Do you love to geek out on all things wastewater? Well, we do! Occasionally, we get requests for King County sewer “gear”. Here’s some of our favorite blasts from the past and present: Toilets aren’t Trash Cans! For those who love to help spread the word that the only thing people should flush is human…
Did you know plumbers refer to the day after Thanksgiving as “Brown Friday” because of the uptick in business they get from feast-clogged pipes and sewer lines? Fats, oils and grease (also known as “FOG”) can cause major home plumbing issues – as well as problems in the sewer system. Just as fatty foods clog arteries,…
Did you know you have sewer equipment you’re responsible for taking care of? And it’s not just plumbing. Every house or building has a sewer pipe that connects it to the larger sewer system. Side sewers can be made out of clay, iron, plastic, concrete or brick depending on the age of the home or…
It’s important for King County facilities to be a good neighbor to the people who live, work and play near us. At the County’s South Treatment Plant in Renton, we work 24-7 to treat the water that people use in homes and businesses before releasing the treated water back to Puget Sound to become part…
When local schools began closing in March 2020 due to COVID-19, our utility’s education team quickly adapted the normal in-person field trips to live, virtual programs that fit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
As we move into the rainy season, our crews are on the job 24/7 to ensure the region’s wastewater treatment service is well-prepared for an emergency or stormy weather. To make sure we’re ready for what wet weather can bring, we have inspected and replaced equipment, updated control systems and increased training of treatment plant…
