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Sep
28

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

They move the water we use in our homes, schools, and businesses through pipes to a wastewater treatment plant. After treatment, King County sends out the clean water to the Puget Sound. When pump stations do not work or are unreliable, the untreated sewage overflows into a nearby body of water that impacts the health of the public and the environment.

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 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.

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 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.

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

Schedule

  • 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.
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