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May
23

Regional water quality responsibilities

The examples below will help guide you in developing proposals that address the criteria: "Demonstrate that water quality benefits are related to WTD's regional water quality responsibilities."

Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment 

The system treats approximately 175 million gallons of wastewater per day on average. Source control efforts help prevent pollutants from entering the wastewater system.

Examples:

  • Educating ratepayers to flush only toilet paper down the toilet or how to dispose of products such as unused pharmaceuticals
  • Preventing pollutants from entering the wastewater system or stormwater in combined sewer overflow (CSO) areas (such as fats, oils, and grease; hazardous chemicals and materials; or emerging chemicals of concern)
  • Educating property owners about their responsibility for maintaining side sewers

Resource Recovery

Recycling valuable resources from wastewater treatment, which include recycled water, biosolids, and biogas.

Examples:

  • Projects that use or promote use of biosolids, recycled water, or energy recovered from wastewater treatment
  • Demonstration projects at a community garden, school garden, or park using biosolids, including educating communities on the benefits of biosolids and connection with the water cycle
  • Demonstration irrigation projects for recycled water that reduce water use from priority surface waters

Controlling Combined Sewer Overflows

In certain neighborhoods in Seattle, sewage and stormwater are carried by the same pipes in a combined sewer system. During heavy rain, combined sewers release untreated sewage and stormwater into rivers, lakes, or Puget Sound.

Examples:

  • Demonstration projects that highlight natural drainage solutions, also known as green stormwater infrastructure (GSI); rain gardens, cisterns, green roofs, and other landscape features can assist in reducing CSOs.

Education

...and stewardship on water systems, wastewater treatment, and sustainability.

Examples:

  • Educating students and adults on water and wastewater systems
  • Education and stewardship projects related to pollution of lakes, streams, and Puget Sound (water quality monitoring, pollution prevention, signage)
  • Engaging diverse communities on clean water and wastewater issues in culturally appropriate ways

Future Challenges to Wastewater

Challenges include population growth, climate change, and emerging water quality conditions. Includes research, planning, and education on these topics.

Examples:

  • Researching technologies that remove contaminants such as nutrients and/or micro-constituents from wastewater
  • Research and development in product stewardship and green chemistry
  • Research and development of energy conservation measures
  • Pilot testing new technologies related to wastewater and water quality

Protecting Puget Sound

Enhancing streams, lakes, and rivers in the WTD service area.

Examples:

  • Engaging students or community members in water quality monitoring projects
  • Educating communities of the importance of healthy water bodies for healthy people and wildlife
  • Projects that reduce the amount of pollutants that enter surface waters
  • Riparian and habitat restoration projects that include water quality benefits
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