1965 to 2005 — 40 Years of Clean Water

Thanks to the larger community, and many past and present employees of our wastewater treatment system, King County has been protecting public health and water quality for more than 40 years. After several years of planning and design, our regional wastewater treatment plant in Renton began operating in 1965, and our regional plant in Seattle began operating in 1966. So we're celebrating here with monthly Web features about our clean-water agency! Last feature posted October 2006.

News Releases

News Release, Oct. 9, 2006 -- Investing in the "infrastructure of our future" - Sims proposes upgrades, repairs to roads, wastewater and solid waste systems

Media Advisory, July 18, 2006 -- Sims to tap into water quality, supply issues at national conference in Seattle on July 19

July 7, 2006 -- Celebration in Carnation as construction on city's first treatment plant gets under way

April 22, 2006 --
King County Executive Sims announces bold new vision for county's wastewater utility

April 18, 2006 -- Public invited to celebrate Earth Day and four decades of clean water at West Point Treatment Plant open house

April 12, 2006 -- Brightwater construction officially underway

Dec. 1, 2005 --
King County's wastewater utility management earns national recognition for excellence

Nov. 3, 2005 --
Sims lauds King County's water conservation, says climate change requires continued savings: Executive says reclaimed water source an important part of future plans

Oct. 6, 2005 --
Sims calls for regional effort to restore Puget Sound, like the clean up of Lake Washington during past 40 years

Sept. 30, 2005 --
Public invited to celebrate four decades of clean water Open house Oct. 8 at regional wastewater treatment plant in Renton

More news releases

WTD Accomplishments

Back to Wastewater Treatment Division home page

Monthly Feature

October 2006

Regional Wastewater Services Plan

September 2006

Our Vision: Creating Resources from Wastewater

August 2006

Water Conservation Program

July 2006

Enhancing the Environment with our Facilities

June 2006

Eliminating Fats, Oils and Grease from our Sewers

May 2006

Can We Talk Trash?
If it's not biodegradable, put it in the trash can, not the toilet, or recycle it.

April 2006

West Point Treatment Plant
40th Anniversary Open House
Saturday, April 22, 2006
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 2006

Construction Projects

February 2006

Fuel Cell Demonstration Project

January 2006

Regional Infiltration and Inflow Control Program

December 2005

Being a Good Neighbor During Construction

November 2005

Treatment Plant Tours

October 2005

South Treatment Plant
Open House, Oct. 8, 2005

Full text of King County Executive Ron Sims' 40th Anniversary Special Announcement , Oct. 6, 2005

Our History

Community leader James R. Ellis, who led the citizen effort to create Metro and build the existing regional wastewater treatment system now operated by King County. Read his April 22, 2006 remarks --
"Remembering West Point."

History of King County's Regional Wastewater Treatment Utility
 

Better Than Promised: An informal history of the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle, 1995
 

Metropolitan Seattle Sewerage and Drainage Survey
March 1958

Local Historical Resources
(external links)

The Archaeology of
Seattle's West Point
This award-winning Web exhibit by the Burke Museum tells the story of a remarkable archaeological find and the people who lived in Seattle's Discovery Park 4,000 years ago.

Seattle Municipal
Archives
(Records and digital images)

For questions about the Wastewater Treatment Division Web site, please send an e-mail message. For general information about the division, contact us at:

Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Wastewater Treatment Division
201 S. Jackson St., Suite 505
Seattle, WA 98104-3855
Phone: 206-684-1280
Fax: 206-684-1741
Telecommunication device for the deaf (TTY): 711

Updated: Jan. 4, 2007
 

Related Information:
The Business We Do -- 24/7

Facts at a Glance about our System

WTD Accomplishments

Regional Wastewater Services Plan

Productivity Initiative Pilot Program