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WTD newsroom

Below are news releases about programs, projects, activities and operations of the King County Wastewater Treatment Division for the current and past years.

Note: news release links on this page will direct you to the news releases in the DNRP newsroom. View prior years' news releases.

King County WTD news media contacts

Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) and Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

WTD operations staff remain on the job 24/7 to ensure the region’s wastewater treatment service continues. Following the guidance of Seattle-King County Public Health, our offices are closed to the public and all facility tours are suspended until further notice. Please check back periodically for updates.

For questions about COVID-19, we encourage people to visit the Public Health – Seattle & King County website: www.kingcounty.gov/covid and subscribe to the Public Health Insider blog: www.publichealthinsider.com

News
3
MAY
King County crews quickly stop equipment malfunction and overflow at sewer maintenance hole in Auburn
22
MAR
King County crews stop equipment malfunction and wastewater overflow at a Mercer Island pump station within 10 minutes
3
MAR
King County crews quickly stop leaking wastewater pipe, divert flows, clean area, close Lowman Beach as a precaution

View prior years' news releases.

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Executive Constantine news releases

King County Council news

ALERT King County -- Regional public information and notification service


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Blog: Clean water stories

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King County WTD news media contacts

The contact information below is for use by reporters and editors – to schedule interviews and get information about the King County Wastewater Treatment Division for print and broadcast. We can get you in touch with WTD Director and other division managers. Our goal is to respond promptly to requests for information and interviews – to help meet news media deadlines.

 Marie Fiore, WTD media relations
206-263-0284 (office) | 206-247-9260 (mobile)

If Marie Fiore is unavailable or if you have questions about other activities of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), please use the contacts listed at the bottom of the: DNRP newsroom.

Below are prior years' news releases about programs, projects, activities and operations of the King County Wastewater Treatment Division.

Note: news release links on this page will direct you to the news releases in the DNRP newsroom.
News
20
OCT
Side sewer break in Bothell neighborhood quickly contained
16
AUG
Bond refinancing, strong credit, lead to $90 million in ratepayer savings for King County’s sewer utility
1
MAY
Beaches at Golden Gardens and Discovery Park reopen after water testing confirms safe conditions, May 1, 2021
29
APR
Brief wastewater bypass occurs during routine equipment testing at West Point Treatment
27
FEB
Kirkland’s Marina Beach Park reopened after water testing confirms safe conditions
25
FEB
Power outage causes overflow into Lake Washington from King County’s Kirkland pump station
12
FEB
Wastewater Treatment repairs leak at Interbay pump station
3
FEB
King County working with Seattle City Light to ensure power reliability at West Point Treatment Plant
22
JAN
King County receives $96 million low-cost loan to improve Puget Sound water quality
18
JAN
Update: Discovery Park beaches reopen after water testing confirms safe conditions
16
JAN
Update: Medina, Richmond Beach, Golden Gardens, and Carkeek park beaches re-open after water testing confirms safe conditions
13
JAN
Power outage causes overflow into Lake Washington from East Pine pump station
13
JAN
Extensive power outages push regional wastewater system to its capacity and onto back up power: overflows into Puget Sound and Lake Washington from West Point, Richmond Beach and Medina pump stations
11
JAN
WaterWorks Grants will provide over $2 million for community water quality projects for 2021-2022
Note: news release links on this page will direct you to the news releases in the DNRP newsroom.
News
21
DEC
Heavy rains cause overflow into Lake Washington from King County’s Medina Pump Station
16
DEC
King County WaterWorks grants funding 69 community projects to protect, improve water quality in 2020
26
SEP
Highland Park Elementary and RainWise team up to keep pollution out of Puget Sound
7
AUG
Construction near Discovery Park trails to start August 19
3
AUG
King County Wastewater Treatment Division is cleaning up a small overflow in West Seattle
26
JUL
Coal Creek Natural Area Upper West Trailhead and trails close July 29-30 for King County sewer line replacement project
19
JUL
King County crews respond quickly to power disruption, prevent flooding using the emergency bypass at West Point
04
JUL
Traffic impacts on Coal Creek Parkway beginning July 8
21
JUN
Industrial facilities recognized for commitment to environmental compliance in 2018
25
MAR
King County investigating a brief overflow at Heathfield pump station
15
MAR
King County investigating sewer backup near Lake Ballinger pump station
12
FEB
Equipment malfunction during storm leads to overflow at King County’s Sweyolocken Pump Station
5
FEB
Informational open house Feb. 23 for upcoming summertime construction and trail closures at Discovery Park
4
FEB
Crews respond swiftly to overflow at King County’s Richmond Beach Pump Station
9
JAN
WaterWorks Grant Informational Workshops set for January 17, 30 and February 12
Note: news release links on this page will direct you to the news releases in the DNRP newsroom.
News
18
DEC
Power outage during windstorm leads to overflow at King County’s Richmond Beach Pump Station
21
NOV
King County’s Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station celebrates Platinum Achievement Award for Sustainability
31
OCT
Discovery Park beach and trail closures on Nov. 5 for work at West Point Treatment Plant
9
OCT
King County seeks applicants to fill six openings on WaterWorks Grant Ranking Committee
25
SEP
King County wants the public’s help in determining future green stormwater infrastructure work in north-central Seattle
21
SEP
Celebrate first RainWise stormwater system for a restaurant, Oct. 4 in White Center
16
AUG
King County’s Vashon Treatment Plant honored for perfect compliance with environmental permits
16
AUG
King County’s South Treatment Plant celebrates perfection with prestigious environmental awards
16
AUG
King County’s Carnation Treatment Plant celebrates another year of perfect permit compliance
21
JUNE
The RainWise Program celebrates a pollution prevention milestone
19
JUNE
Industrial facilities honored for environmental compliance in 2017
11
JUNE
WaterWorks grants to fund an additional 23 community projects
11
JUNE
Public tours resume at the West Point Treatment Plant this summer
9
MAY
Grant-funded community garden hosts public grand opening, May 9
26
APR
Duwamish River water quality project earns major federal funding
28
MAR
Celebrate a new RainWise installation at Samaritan Center of Puget Sound, April 10
16
MAR
Crews respond to non-toxic construction clay spill near Lake Sammamish
15
MAR
Overnight work scheduled for King County sewer upgrade project in Bellevue
8
MAR
Ask questions, get answers on the North Mercer Island/Enatai sewer upgrade project
7
MAR
Eastgate sewer improvement project open house set for March 12
6
MAR
Celebrate a new RainWise installation at Prospect United Church of Christ, March 25
28
FEB
Pipeline construction to require temporary closure of 32nd Ave W
23
FEB
King County to extend work hours on Magnolia pipeline repair project
24
JAN
Overnight closure of Northbound I-405 exit to NE 8th Street Jan. 31 to Feb. 1
18
JAN
Soil testing work to impact traffic on Coal Creek Parkway through late February
Note: news release links on this page will direct you to the news releases in the DNRP newsroom.
News
28
DEC
South Plant pump replacement project earns major grant funding from PSE
21
DEC
Geotechnical work starts in January for sewer line replacement near Coal Creek Parkway
18
DEC
Construction begins on Magnolia pipeline repair project
12
DEC
South Treatment Plant in Renton hosts natural yard care classes, Jan. 27 & Feb. 10
12
DEC
Free natural yard care classes this winter at King County’s Brightwater Center
11
DEC
Visit an online open house to review sewer improvement plans in Redmond
6
DEC
Bond refinancing, credit upgrade lead to $35.8 million in savings for King County’s sewer utility
8
NOV
Public invited to celebrate a RainWise milestone at Valley School in Seattle, Nov. 29
25
OCT
Sewer repair work to restrict traffic along Lake Hills Boulevard in Bellevue
25
OCT
Celebrate the 20-million gallon RainWise milestone at Fairview Christian School, Oct 27
3
OCT
Bond rating boost, refinancing saves $41.2 million for King County sewer utility ratepayers
12
SEPT
Improvements, upgrades strengthen West Point Treatment Plant operations
11
SEPT
Apostolic Faith Church is going RainWise, encourages others to do the same at Sept. 24 event
22
AUGUST
Washington State Supreme Court upholds award for Brightwater legal fees
18
JULY
King County utility issues statement on the West Point Independent Review
29
JUNE
Sewer utility crew investigates possible overflow at Beulah Park on Vashon Island
28
JUNE
Roadside rain garden project earns local civil engineering society honors
26
JUNE
Bunker Trail pump station construction to begin on Vashon Island, July 10
20
JUNE
Carnation Treatment Plant earns its first Platinum Peak Performance Award
20
JUNE
South Treatment Plant earns recognition for long-term permit compliance
20
JUNE
King County’s Vashon Treatment Plant earns environmental compliance award
14
JUNE
Tour King County’s newly completed Fremont Siphon Project, June 18
7
JUNE
Celebrate completion of King County’s Murray CSO project, June 10
19
MAY
West Point repair costs fall below insurance coverage limits; work to be complete in 2017
12
MAY
WaterWorks Grant informational workshops set for May 19, 22, 23 & 24
11
MAY
West Point Treatment Plant resumes full compliance with environmental permits
27
APRIL
All systems go at West Point Treatment Plant as essential repairs completed
20
APRIL
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Thursday, April 20, 2017
18
APRIL
Community event celebrates RainWise success in West Seattle, April 27
13
APRIL
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Thursday, April 13, 2017
6
APRIL
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Thursday, April 6, 2017
30
MAR
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Thursday, March 30, 2017
29
MAR
Wastewater Treatment Division hosts contractor forum, April 6
23
MAR
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Thursday, March 23, 2017
21
MAR
Celebrate Hamm Creek restoration progress with a tree planting & work party, March 25
17
MAR
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Friday, March 17, 2017
13
MAR
Statement on the King County Council’s motion for expert review of the West Point Treatment Plant Incident
9
MAR
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Thursday, March 9, 2017
7
MAR
Progress puts West Point Treatment Plant on a path to resume normal operation April 30
3
MAR
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Friday, March 3, 2017
2
MAR
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Thursday, March 2, 2017
1
MAR
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Wednesday, March 1, 2017
28
FEB
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017
27
FEB
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Monday, Feb. 27, 2017
24
FEB
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Friday, Feb. 24, 2017
23
FEB
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017
22
FEB
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017
21
FEB
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017
20
FEB
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Monday, Feb. 20, 2017
19
FEB
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017
18
FEB
West Point Treatment Plant restoration update for Feb. 18, 2017
16
FEB
Wastewater pump station overflows in West Seattle as a result of neighborhood power outage
15
FEB
West Point Treatment Plant bypassing some flows as storm affects plant still in recovery
10
FEB
King County West Point Treatment Plant resuming regular operations after storm disruption
9
FEB
Update: King County continues work to restore operations at West Point Treatment Plant
9
FEB
Heavy rains cause overflow into Lake Washington from King County’s Medina Pump Station
9
FEB
Operators respond to protect West Point Treatment Plant from flooding in heavy rains, high tides
19
JAN
Bellevue and Mercer Island public meetings feature route for sewer pipeline upgrade
19
JAN
Pump station overflows in West Seattle during heavy rainfall, high tide
18
JAN
Brightwater Treatment System experiences brief loss of disinfection
9
JAN
Crews respond to overflow at King County’s South Mercer Pump Station
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King Street Center 

King County's wastewater treatment facilities

Wastewater Treatment Division

King Street Center
201 S. Jackson St., KSC-NR-5500
Seattle, WA 98104

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206-477-5371

WTD Division Directory

website.wtd@kingcounty.gov