Lakeland Hills Pump Station Replacement

Project overview

King County owns and operates the Lakeland Hills Pump Station. King County will replace the aging Lakeland Hills Pump Station and build a new facility in Auburn to upgrade sewer services in south King County. The Lakeland Hills Pump Station is an important part of King County’s connected systems of pipes and pumps. The pump station moves sewage from homes, schools, and businesses in the Auburn area to South Treatment Plant in Renton to be treated, eventually sending it off safely into the Puget Sound. Replacing the pump station will prevent sewage overflows and help serve the growing population of Auburn for many years.

Project vision

To build a new pump station to better serve the Auburn community for decades.

Project need

The existing Lakeland Hills Pump Station was constructed by the City of Auburn in 1981 in Roegner Park. King County  began operating the pump station from the City of Auburn in 1997. The existing raw sewage pumps, as well as other major equipment at the Pump Station are nearing the end of their useful life. King County will also need to increase the sewage capacity to meet the needs for the growing local population. 

The existing Pump Station has a pump room and sewage storage tank below ground. Crews can only access these spaces with a machine lift or ladder (pictured below). The limited access for maintenance crews is a safety concern that needs to be addressed in the pump station replacement. 

As a short-term solution, the Pump Station is being upgraded to include both an improved elevator lift for the safety of maintenance crews and a backup generator system that will be located in the existing above ground building. Construction activity is anticipated to start in 2023.

King County is committed to building a new pump station that can fully meet wastewater treatment needs of the community it serves. Part of that work will be to fully consider how the project can advance equity in the community through the pump station’s design, location and construction. King County looks forward to working with the community to build a sustainable facility that meets the needs of the community and reflects its values.

Project benefits

• Protecting community health and environment
• Improving water quality
• Increasing sewage capacity for the growing Auburn region
• Preventing overflows into nearby bodies of water
• Providing safe access for maintenance employees
• Business opportunities for local contractors and vendors

Schedule

Key considerations in early planning phase for the facility location

• Technical design
• Cost
• Permitting requirements
• Environmental impacts
• Climate change impacts
• Community values and opportunities to advance equity through the facility construction

How King County works with the community

King County will work with community groups and interested parties to provide project information, identify issues and solutions, list potential impacts, and feedback. We will work with interested community members to understand what concerns the community has regarding Roegner Park and the current pump station location. We will review what input has already been given, and seek feedback from community members.

King County works hard to ensure community members are not surprised by the project or its impact. You can stay informed, stay involved (translations will be available) throughout the project’s life in several formats including:

• Individual meetings with community groups, organizations, and leaders
• Briefings to local community groups, agencies, and jurisdictions
• Community workshops and meetings
• Site walks
• Digital engagement
• Project newsletters and fliers
• Project web page
• News releases
• Questionnaires

Project location

Click for larger view .
Facility address: 601 Oravertz Rd. SE, Auburn

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