skip to main content

For questions about the Reclaimed Water Program, please contact Jo Sullivan

For questions about the Reclaimed Water Comprehensive Plan, please contact Doug Marsano

Wastewater Treatment Division 
King Street Center
201 S. Jackson St., Suite 505
Seattle, WA 98104-3855

Get Directions to our office location in Seattle, Washington.

Reclaimed water: planning for the future

Overview of planning process. Schedule updated May 2011.
Overview of reclaimed water planning process (PDF), approved by the King County Council through Motion 13483 (PDF), schedule updated May 2011

The reclaimed water comprehensive planning process will explore if, when, where, and by what funding mechanisms King County's existing reclaimed water program should expand in the next 30 years. It will evaluate reclaimed water as a means to reduce reliance on discharging to Puget Sound, to enhance the environment through water resource augmentation, and to further prepare the region for addressing the uncertainty of population growth and climate change. It will take a broad look at potential reclaimed water uses and evaluate strategies for serving these uses.

The planning process (PDF) includes a broad range of opportunities to engage community leaders, environmental groups, regulatory agencies, water/wastewater utilities, tribal governments, business and civic organizations, the general public, and potential agricultural, recreational, commercial, and industrial user groups to provide input and advice throughout the planning process. The process is designed to be open and transparent. It is a dynamic and flexible process, based on a set of deliberate steps with several decision points and potential outcomes. Because of this, adjustments to the schedule may be necessary.

The planning process will attempt to answer the following questions

  • What are the potential uses for reclaimed water now and over the next 30 years?
  • What are the potential volumes of reclaimed water that would be needed to serve the potential uses for reclaimed water?
  • What are the different ways that King County’s regional wastewater system could produce and deliver the volumes needed to serve potential uses for reclaimed water?
  • What are the costs and benefits associated with producing and distributing reclaimed water to serve potential uses?
  • What are the environmental impacts associated with producing and providing reclaimed water to serve potential uses?
  • If it is recommended that the existing reclaimed water program should be expanded, what are the ways that future reclaimed water investments could be financed and paid for?
  • What policies are needed to guide future reclaimed water decisions and investments?

new
Visit the Resource Recovery site to learn how King County recovers and recycles beneficial resources (including reclaimed water) from the wastewater treatment process.

What's new

Please share your comments on King County’s reclaimed water comprehensive planning process.

More information

  • View Reclaimed Water Comprehensive Plan regional workshops
  • Speakers bureau -- If you like to request a presentation for your organization or business please contact Doug Marsano at 206-684-1235, or via email at doug.marsano@kingcounty.gov.  

Related topics