Upgrade projects continue at West Point Treatment Plant

Construction limited to plant site, projects to increase plant efficiency

A series of construction projects currently under way at King County’s West Point Treatment Plant will increase operating efficiency, improve process safety and expand the production and use of renewable energy.

Construction activity will be limited to the plant site and is expected to pose minimal impact to Discovery Park users. King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) will coordinate with the Seattle Parks Department to notify community members in advance of any temporary impacts such as trail restrictions or parking lot closures.

The West Point plant, which began operating in 1966 and currently treats about 105 million gallons of wastewater each day, is located at 1400 Utah St. W. next to Seattle’s Discovery Park.

Here is a list of projects being carried out through 2015:

Waste-to-Energy Project: King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) has begun construction on a new cogeneration system at the plant that will convert digester gas into a source of heat and electricity for plant operations. Digester gas is a naturally occurring byproduct of the solids treatment process and an excellent source of renewable energy.

When the new cogeneration system begins operating in 2012, it will produce about 23,000 Megawatt-hours of electricity each year, which is equivalent to the electricity needed to power for nearly 2,300 homes. This project is being funded in part by an $8.2 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which will cover more than half of construction costs.

Energy Efficient Blower Replacement Project: Blowers add needed oxygen to the wastewater treatment process to enable helpful bacteria to break down organic matter. WTD will replace two blowers that have been in operation since the plant started up almost fifty years ago with new, energy-efficient turbo blowers that will reduce electrical consumption, saving almost $25,000 each year. This project is being funded in part by an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant administered through the U.S. Department of Energy and Seattle City Light.

West Point Disinfection Upgrades: To protect public health and increase system reliability, King County is converting the plant’s disinfection system from chlorine gas to sodium hypochlorite, which is a safer and more stable liquid that is very similar to strong household bleach. The project is scheduled for completion this spring.

Screening Improvements: WTD is designing a project to upgrade and replace the screening equipment that filters out trash and other debris during the initial phase of the treatment process. In addition to complying with state regulations, the new equipment and screening facility will protect process equipment and improve the quality of our biosolids. The project is scheduled for completion by 2014. People can also do their part to protect the environment and control our operating costs by flushing only bodily waste and toilet paper – no wipes, fats, oils and grease!

Digestion System Improvements: Construction is under way on a project to upgrade West Point’s solids digestion system that processes organic solids and produces valuable resources such as biosolids to nourish soils and digester gas, which is used for power and heat. The project will be completed by the end of 2012.

West Point Office Annex: Construction will begin in 2011 on a permanent, modular office annex that will replace temporary construction trailers that have outlived their useful lifespan. The new office space will become available by 2012.

All projects will comply with the standards and requirements outlined in the 1991 West Point Settlement Agreement.

For additional information about the West Point Treatment Plant, please visit the Wastewater Treatment Division’s website at http://www.kingcounty.gov.

For questions or additional information about the projects, please contact Jo Sullivan at 206-296-8361 or e-mail jo.sullivan@kingcounty.gov.

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