Community meeting June 23 on shaping design of Brightwater Treatment Plant

2004 Archived News

Future neighbors of the Brightwater wastewater treatment plant are invited to a community meeting and open house Wednesday, June 23, on the proposed design for the facility. People can learn about the design and share ideas with plant architects and design professionals.

The meeting is scheduled to run from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the gymnasium of Kokanee Elementary School, 23710 57th Ave. S.E., Woodinville. The open house begins at 5:30, followed by presentations at 6 p.m., a question-and-answer period, and opportunities to share ideas and comments about the design.

The Brightwater plant will be built on a 114-acre site at the intersection of State Route 9 and State Route 522. That site now has a mix of uses, including auto recycling, light industrial, and offices.

"There are exciting opportunities for improvements at the Brightwater site," said Christie True, capital improvement program manager for the regional wastewater treatment utility operated by King County. "Those improvement include attractive design and landscaping, enhanced wetlands, and public space for the community to enjoy."

True explained that county staff has been working with the community to develop design guidelines for the site. Those guidelines help balance the needs of neighbors, efficient operations, cost and permitting requirements.

Also during the meeting, people will be able to talk with project staff who will be working at a Brightwater office to open at the construction site this fall.

The Brightwater plant will protect public health and water quality by treating wastewater from homes, businesses, schools and offices in south Snohomish County and north King County. Wastewater from the growing population in the Brightwater service area is now treated at plants miles away in Renton and Seattle.

Plant construction is scheduled to begin in 2005, and the plant is expected to begin operating in 2010.

For more information, including arranging reasonable meeting accommodations for people with disabilities, contact the Brightwater project team: 206-684-6799, 1-888-707-8571 (toll free), or 711 (TTY) or brightwater@kingcounty.gov (e-mail).

Project information is also available on the project Web site.

King County's Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and water quality by serving 18 cities, 15 sewer districts and more than 1.4 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. The regional public utility has been preventing water pollution for nearly 40 years.