August 15, 2003 News Release Tunnel rescue training Saturday at Rainier Beach sewer project The Seattle Fire Department will hold a tunnel rescue drill Saturday afternoon, Aug. 16, in Rainier Beach at a construction site for the King County Wastewater Treatment Division's Henderson/M.L. King CSO Project. The Fire Department, working with King County tunnel contractor Northwest Boring/Kenny JV of Woodinville, will conduct the drill at the project's south tunneling portal at 42nd Avenue South and South Norfolk Street. During the hour-long exercise, crews will simulate an accident where workers must be rescued from within the tunnel during hazardous conditions. Residents may notice emergency vehicles at the site during the drills. Smoke, to be used to create realistic disaster conditions, may also be visible. Northwest Boring/Kenny will shut down tunneling operations to hold the drill. The drill is part of a continuing cooperative effort of the Seattle Fire Department, King County and local construction companies to improve worker safety and emergency preparedness in tunnels. The King County tunnel under construction is a 4-million-gallon facility to store and treat combined sewage and stormwater during storms. The Henderson/M.L. King CSO Project will improve water quality in Lake Washington by providing new protection from combined sewer overflows, or CSOs. A CSO is caused when stormwater and sewage combine during extreme storms and overload the sewer system. The tunnel-boring machine is now mining 3,100 lineal feet under 42nd Avenue South in the public right-of-way at depths of 30 to 100 feet. Work began at the south portal and is advancing north to 42nd Avenue South and South Fairbanks Street. If neighbors have concerns or questions, they can call the project hotline at 206-684-1251. The regional wastewater treatment utility operated by King County protects public health and water quality for 18 cities, 15 sewer districts and more than 1.4 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Related Information Wastewater Treatment Division Facts at a glance about our wastewater system News Releases

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