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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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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