Wastewater Operations – King County Wastewater Treatment Division

Workers wearing neon safety vests and hard hats load a wastewater pump onto a truck.

Infrastructure

August 23, 2023

Massive Pumps at West Point Treatment Plant Get a Tune Up

The pumps that push wastewater through West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle are massive and old. In service since 1993, it was time for a tune-up. By tapping into the expertise of local repair shops, the project was fast tracked…

Marie Fiore

Pam Restovic sits on a stair of a big-rig truck and smiles.

People WTD Updates

April 12, 2023

What did it take to become a female operator at a King County wastewater treatment plant? Ask Pam Restovic.

Pam Restovic is a trailblazer who has seen the field change and grow to become more a more welcoming workforce, and finds purpose in her work protecting public health and the environment.

wtdsocialmediakingcountygov

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

Operations People

February 15, 2023

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

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) recognized the program for “initiatives that have made a remarkable impact on environmental protection, the advancement of the water sector, and the betterment of their communities.”

Marie Fiore

Operations People

December 22, 2020

Finding a job that fits you, pays well AND is meaningful is amazing. If you like freedom and change you might like operating a wastewater treatment plant. We’ll help you find out – and pay to train you.

Operators watch over large and complex industrial equipment and the flows going through them – from both on-the-ground and from computer monitoring systems. Our business is unconventional – and that works for a lot of our employees We get it.…

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Wastewater workers prepare for rainy weather

Operations

September 30, 2020

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

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. Wastewater workers prepare for rainy weather To make sure we’re ready…

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Operations

September 22, 2020

Utility of the Future Today & awards for outstanding performance

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,…

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Operations

August 18, 2020

The case of the metal strands – teamwork leads to the source of treatment system damage

When wastewater comes into the Carnation Wastewater Treatment Plant, it first passes through a process that removes larger particles like trash and grit from the water. Next, the water flows through a process that People should use sink drain baskets…

kcwtd

People

June 20, 2019

WTD celebrates Women in Trades 40th anniversary

The annual Washington Women in Trades (WWIT) Fair marked its 40th anniversary this year. The half-day event, held in May, showcased exhibits, demonstrations, contests, education and job opportunities for women interested in pursuing careers in the trades. King County…

Marie Fiore

WTD Updates

May 17, 2019

WTD Resource Recovery hosts visitor from Down Under to share our Biosolids expertise

King County Wastewater Treatment Division recently welcomed a visit from our wastewater treatment counterparts Watercare who serve Auckland, New Zealand🇳🇿. Their resource recovery manager Rob Tinholt, visited us to learn about our biosolids program. They’re developing their own resource recovery…

Operations People Water Quality

March 1, 2019

King County Wastewater Treatment supports diversity through our Operator in Training Program.

Recently, our utility's work to recruit employees that represent our diverse and growing communities through our Operator in Training (OIT) Program was featured in the Water Environment Federation magazine. Visit the link or read the excerpt below: https://news.wef.org/king-county-enhances-diversity-through-operator-in-training-program/ King County…

kcwtd

WTD Updates

November 19, 2018

Updating Industrial Waste Fee Structure: Next Steps – Fall 2018

The King County Industrial Waste (KCIW) program has been working on a proposal to update the structure of its fee system. Changes require a two-step decision-making process. First the King County Council considers updating the King County Code. Pending Council…

WTD Updates

November 19, 2018

Updating Industrial Waste Fee Structure: Surcharge Customers Fall 2018

Businesses that send “high strength” or concentrated organic wastewater to the sewer system pay more because it costs more to treat this wastewater. KCIW’s Surcharge Fee currently includes the costs for both treating concentrated “high-strength” waste at a treatment plant…