Summary

King County Wastewater Treatment Division has received national recognition as a Utility of the Future Today. Several of the division’s treatment plants have also been honored by the Washington State Department of Ecology for outstanding performance and by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for complete and consistent National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit compliance.

Story

The King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) has received national recognition as a Utility of the Future Today for its beneficial use of Loop® biosolids. The utility is one of 65 water utilities being recognized nationally for transformational work in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients. 

The Utility of the Future Today concept is being promoted as water systems face challenges such as aging infrastructure, water pollution, workforce shortages, and impacts of climate change, including drought, floods, storms, and sea level rise. The program was launched in 2016 by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Research Foundation and the WateReuse Association, with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

“It’s an honor to work with the team of professionals at WTD who are committed to safety and dedicated to protecting public health and the environment,” said Mark Isaacson, WTD Director. 

“The innovations coming to the water sector present an opportunity for a paradigm shift in the way utilities think about and solve long-standing challenges to clean and reliable water,” said Jackie Jarrel, WEF President. “WEF is excited to recognize King County Wastewater Treatment Division for embracing innovative ways to better serve their communities.”

The recognition celebrates the achievements of water utilities that transform from the traditional wastewater treatment system to a resource recovery center and leader in the overall sustainability and resilience of the communities they serve. King County’s wastewater utility was also recognized in 2016 and 2017 as a Utility of the Future Today.

Carnation, Vashon and Brightwater treatment plants, plus Brightwater and South Plant’s reclaimed water programs, also received awards for Outstanding Performance from the Washington State Department of Ecology for meeting all state pollution limits, monitoring and reporting requirements, spill prevention planning, pretreatment, and operation demands outlined in their permits.

Additionally, several WTD treatment plants have been honored with NACWA Peak Performance and Platinum awards:

2019 Gold Awards - in recognition of complete and consistent permit compliance during the calendar year

• Carnation Treatment Plant
• Brightwater Treatment Plant
  
  

Platinum Awards

• Platinum 22 - South Treatment Plant – in recognition of 22 years of complete and consistent NPDES permit compliance.
• Platinum 09 - Vashon Treatment Plant – in recognition of nine years of complete and consistent NPDES permit compliance.

RELEVANT LINKS

• King County Wastewater Treatment Division
• Loop® biosolids
• National Association of Clean Water Agencies
• Water Environment Federation – Utility of the FutureWashington Department of Ecology - 2019 Outstanding Performance Wastewater Treatment Plant Award Recipients
  
  

  Quotes

  It’s an honor to work with the team of professionals at WTD who are committed to safety and dedicated to protecting public health and the environment.

  
  

  The innovations coming to the water sector present an opportunity for a paradigm shift in the way utilities think about and solve long-standing challenges to clean and reliable water. WEF is excited to recognize King County Wastewater Treatment Division for embracing innovative ways to better serve their communities.

  
  FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
  Marie Fiore, 206-247-9260 or mfiore@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.
  
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