Water Quality – King County Wastewater Treatment

Aerial photos of the five treatment plants

Customer service / Being a good neighbor Operations / Wastewater Treatment

August 11, 2022

Celebrating our award-winning treatment plants

All five of King County’s wastewater treatment plants received 2021 National Association of Clean Water Agency’s Peak Performance Awards, honoring multiple consecutive years of compliance with state and federal effluent permit limits.

kcwtd

A rain garden showing a shallow depression in the ground, with mulch, rocks, and plants

Climate Change / Sustainability Community Engagement Customer service / Being a good neighbor Education RainWise / Green Stormwater Infrastructure Wet Weather Treatment

October 25, 2021

Celebrating RainWise pollution prevention milestones in the King County basin

As the days get shorter and we anticipate more rain in our forecast, we are celebrating a timely milestone—we just mailed our 1,000th RainWise rebate check in one of the eligible combined sewer overflow basins! Our utility strives to prevent…

kcwtd

Puget Sound view from the SoundGuardian boat

Clean Water Plan Climate Change / Sustainability Financial Stewardship / Rates Nitrogen / Nutrients Operations / Wastewater Treatment Technology Wildlife / Habitat

September 20, 2021

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…

kcwtd

Climate Change / Sustainability Customer service / Being a good neighbor Operations / Wastewater Treatment Resource Recovery (Biosolids, energy, recycled water)Utility of the Future / Awards

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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Construction Wildlife / Habitat

October 30, 2019

Help us protect recovering landscapes

Some colorful new signs may catch your eye at former King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) construction sites. WTD’s Mitigation and Monitoring (M/M) Program is installing new signs to alert people and help them protect recovering landscapes. WTD’s project teams…

Asset Management / Infrastructure Clean Water Plan Community Engagement Protecting Our Waters

October 28, 2019

Let WTD know your priorities for the Clean Water Plan

Online Clean Water Plan questionnaire closes Nov. 1 -- tell us what you think Since spring 2019, we have been talking with people about the Clean Water Plan and listening to their priorities for our rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound. …

Marie Fiore

Community Engagement Education RainWise / Green Stormwater Infrastructure

September 6, 2019

RainWise is working to promote Green Stormwater Infrastructure!

The RainWise program were big participants in August’s Neighbor Night Out celebration. RainWise staff and partners visited 14 different block parties hosted by current RainWise customers, and spread the word about the program to over 300 residents. This is the…

Community Engagement Education

August 2, 2019

PopUp Storywalk at Carkeek Park until August 5

Water Princess, installed as a PopUp Storywalk at Carkeek Park, July 19-August 5 King County Wastewater Treatment Division is partnering with PopUp Storywalk and Seattle Parks for a fun summer activity. Come walk the trails at Carkeek Park and enjoy…

Marie Fiore

Protecting Our Waters

April 26, 2019

Green Globe Awards announced for 2019

On Earth Day🌎, King County Executive Dow Constantine recognized 13 businesses, cities, organizations and people for the work they’re doing to protect and improve the local environment with the Green Globe Awards. The Green Globe Awards are the County’s highest…

Construction Operations / Wastewater Treatment Protecting Our Waters Wet Weather Treatment

November 26, 2018

King County’s Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station celebrates Platinum Achievement Award for Sustainability

King County’s Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station (WWTS) has earned the coveted “Platinum” rating 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…

Financial Stewardship / Rates Industrial Waste Local Business

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…

Operations / Wastewater Treatment Protecting Our Waters

November 28, 2017

Now available: New study results to help tackle tough water quality problems

Regional water quality has improved over the past 40 years, even as the population grew. A new study shows what we can do to keep our environment healthy for the next generation of residents.