Puget Sound Beach CSO Control Projects
April 28, 2011 update
King County’s North Beach, Barton, Murray, and Magnolia CSO Control Projects have moved to new web pages! King County has submitted Draft Facility Plans to Washington Department of Ecology describing recommended project proposals for each basin, and is now in the process of procuring consulting services for the design phase of each project. You can keep up to date on these projects at their new web pages, listed at right or click on map below.
King County presents alternative means for CSO control
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) occur in older parts of King County’s wastewater system that carry both wastewater and stormwater to the treatment plant. When heavy rains fill the pipes, excess stormwater and sewage flow directly into local waterbodies. Historically, CSOs were designed into the system to avoid damage to facilities and sewer backups into homes and businesses and onto streets during storms.
Today, CSOs are a concern because untreated wastewater and stormwater may be discharged to Puget Sound during large storms posing risks to public health and the environment. To meet state regulations, King County's goal is to reduce the number of CSOs each year, with a long-term goal of no more than one untreated discharge per location per year.
In 2010, King County has decided on proposals for CSO control in the Barton, Murray, North Beach, and South Magnolia areas. These locations are top priority because people are most likely to come in contact with water during recreational activities such as swimming.
Basin-specific approaches to CSO control
The CSO Control Program assembles a “toolkit” of potential approaches for CSO control. CSO Project teams work to identify approaches in that toolkit that address the problem defined in each project area.
How you can participate
 In fall 2009, the project team evaluated a broad range of alternative means for CSO control using a range of factors. Further refinement and evaluation of these alternatives were carried out in spring 2010. King County decided on a proposal for CSO control in each basin between October and December 2010.
Public input informed the alternatives selection process. Visit the decision process page for an update on King County's decision process and how the public participated.
King County is committed to working with you
King County will work with the public throughout the life of these projects, providing information and opportunities to express comments, questions, and concerns:
- Work with each basin's community and interested citizens during the decision process
- Identify potential community and environmental impacts in the environmental and design review processes.
- Continue an information and involvement program throughout design, construction of the facilities. For more information, view individual project pages below:
- Provide 24/7 contact information for questions and concerns during operation
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