Utility line break at South Treatment Plant is quickly contained, water released was fully treated

November 15, 2020

Summary

King County Wastewater Treatment Division crews quickly responded to a broken pipe carrying fully treated wastewater at the South Treatment Plant campus on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Story

King County Wastewater Treatment Division crews discovered a pipe carrying treated wastewater was broken at the South Treatment Plant campus Saturday afternoon, Nov. 14. The break happened during routine maintenance and the water spilled had already been fully treated.

The leak was contained shortly after being located and construction to repair the pipe was soon underway. Plant operations have not been affected.

The broken line, carrying fully treated water, was under roadways within the South Treatment Plant campus. While most of the spilled water was contained at the plant and sent back into the system through storm drains, some water did spill over a curb and entered the Black River. 

The Washington Department of Ecology has been notified.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: 
Marie Fiore, 206-247-9260 or marie.fiore@kingcounty.gov

About the King County Wastewater Treatment Division
King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and enhances the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recycling valuable resources for the Puget Sound region. The division provides wastewater treatment services to 17 cities, 17 local sewer districts and more than 1.8 million residents across a 420-square-mile area in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties.