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Apr
18

About the Lakeland Hills Pump Station Replacement

Find information about the Lakeland Hills Pump Station Replacement Project, including the project need and vision and the project schedule.

Pump stations move sewage up hill

The average person uses 80 to 100 gallons of dirty water per day—that could fill up a standard bathtub twice! Once that dirty water (wastewater) goes down the drain, it takes energy to move it through our wastewater system, clean the water at a treatment plant, and then release clean water into Puget Sound. In this case, the Lakeland Hills Pump Station moves sewage from your neighborhood to the South Treatment Plant in Renton.

Water follows gravity and flows down. When we need to move sewage up a hill to get to a treatment plant, it requires big pumps and lots of energy. Pump stations run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to keep sewage moving on the underground water “highway.”

When pump stations do not work or are unreliable, the sewage can overflow into a nearby water body and that can impact public health and the environment.

Here is a quick video describing how a pump station works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9-DXl028-Y&t=24s

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 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

Project need

The Lakeland Hills Pump Station, located in Roegner Park, was built by the City of Auburn in 1981, and transferred to King County in 1997. The pump station has reached the end of its useful life. 

King County plans to fully rebuild the pump station due to maintenance and operational challenges, future capacity needs, and as replacement parts for the current model are no longer being serviced.

Replacing the pump station will also ensure that sewage flows safely to the treatment plant and help serve the growing population of Auburn for many years.

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.

The underground station is accessed by two hatches. The open hatch on the left includes a elevator lift to provide access to the room below. The open hatch on the right includes a ladder to the "wet well" below where sewage enters the station.

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 is anticipated to complete in 2024.

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.

Key considerations in early planning phase for the facility location

We know that location matters. That’s why King County is considering many different factors when thinking about where to build the future pump station, including possible benefits and burdens that may come with relocating the facility. Here are some of the key factors that will be part of deciding the location: 

  • Location of three local sewer lines owned by the City of Auburn that connect to the existing pump station.
  • Cost
  • Schedule
  • Available nearby properties at a similar elevation
  • Community priorities, input, equity, and social justice benefits
  • Permitting and environmental considerations

FAQ

King County is considering different locations for the future pump station, all of which are near the existing location. The new pump station needs to be located near the current pump station so it can connect to the existing sewer lines. WTD will consider impacts to the community as they review possible locations and designs. Regardless of location, community input will be thoughtfully incorporated into the design of the new pump station, with the aim of ensuring it becomes a valuable resource for the community.

Beginning as early as 2024, King County may begin work in the current pump station location and areas around it. Work activities might include testing, measuring, and digging.

We estimate that heavy construction will take place between 2027 and 2032. Construction impacts might include road and trail detours, noise from heavy machinery, and closed off parking spaces for staging and crew. We will know more about specific construction impacts closer to the construction start date. We are committed to keeping the community informed about construction activities and impacts.

The locations currently being considered:

  • At or near existing pump station location in Roegner Park, 601 Oravetz Road Southeast
  • Other possible nearby properties 

The short list of options for the location of the future pump station came down to availability of nearby property at approximately the same elevation that can be connected to the local sewer lines owned by the City of Auburn that feed into the existing pump station.

King County WTD’s infrastructure projects like the Lakeland Hills Pump Station Facility Replacement project are funded by sewer ratepayers who pay sewer bills to their local sewer district. Sewer bills pay for this project and many others across the region so we can continue to improve water quality in Puget Sound, rivers, and lakes.

Schedule

In the summer of 2023, King County WTD hired a team of design consultants to help with planning and designing the future pump station. An alternatives analysis phase will help us find the preferred site and pump station design with input from many stakeholders. This phase will take about 17 months to complete (more information on the project schedule below).

  • Spring 2022 – Winter 2023: Facility planning

    • Finalize pump station’s operational needs and engineering
    • Identify potential sites for the new pump station.
    • Work with interested community members to identify the project’s equity opportunities and barriers for the surrounding community

  • Spring 2023-2024: Facility siting

    • Evaluate potential locations for the future pump station.
    • Engage with key interested parties on community priorities.
    • Compare 2-4 potential site locations and select a site.

  • 2024-2026: Facility design:

    • Determine what permits are needed.
    • Identify potential design elements that can improve equity in the community
    • Consult with interested community members on potential project impacts and opportunities
    • Report back to the community on key project milestones and design decisions affecting the community

  • 2026-2028: Complete facility design:

    • Finalize design plans and drawings
    • Obtain permits
    • Build construction schedule
    • Hire a construction contractor
    • Share information with neighbors and the surrounding community about the pump station design and upcoming construction
       

  • 2028-2032: Build the facility

    • Prepare the site for construction.
    • Provide advanced notice to the public about closures, detours, or access impacts.
    • Update neighbors and the surrounding community on project progress.
    • Restore streets, sidewalks, and vegetation affected by the project.

**Please note that these timeframes are approximate and may change based on factors such as permit processing, community input, and unexpected delays. This flexible schedule shows the overall timeline while still outlining the key stages of the project.

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