Kirkland Pump Station resumes normal operation after power failure

Crews restore power in 50 minutes; faulty generator switch to blame

King County wastewater utility crews were able to restore normal operation at the Kirkland Pump Station in downtown Kirkland following a power failure that occurred around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

The outage was caused by a power surge that occurred while King County utility off-site crews were performing routine maintenance. The pump station has an emergency generator that failed to engage due to a faulty breaker, which required staff to call an electrician who was able to restore power within 50 minutes.

During the outage, an estimated 8,000 gallons of wastewater overflowed for 18 minutes through an emergency outfall into the local storm water conveyance system that drains to Lake Washington near Plaza Marina Park. Most of the material was contained in the stormwater system and crews were able to remove it with vactor trucks.

As a precaution, County staff took water quality samples in the lake, posted public areas as closed, and notified health and regulatory agencies about the overflow.

Beach warning signs will remain posted until pending approval from Public Health – Seattle & King County.

Note to editors and reporters: Visit the WTD Newsroom, a portal to information for the news media about the Wastewater Treatment Division, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wtd/Newsroom.aspx

Related information

Kirkland Pump Station

King County Wastewater Treatment