Reclaimed Water Program

Brightwater Reclaimed Water System (Sammamish Valley)

This page provides information about King County's current plans for providing reclaimed water to the Sammamish Valley.

Reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater that can be safely recycled for irrigation, industry and other uses that don't require drinking water. The Sammamish Valley is a prime area for reclaimed water use because of the concentration of farms, nurseries, soccer fields and golf courses. A reliable, alternative source of water in the Sammamish Valley will help preserve the rural character by leaving water in the Sammamish River where it will benefit salmon and other wildlife, as well as recreational river users.

Reclaimed Water "Backbone"

Almost all the wastewater treated at the new Brightwater Treatment Plant will meet reclaimed water standards and can be safely recycled for irrigation and industry. The treatment plant will use an advanced treatment technology called a membrane bioreactor (MBR) system.

In late 2005, the King County Council approved funding for the Brightwater Reclaimed Water "Backbone." This project will add reclaimed water pipes in tunnels already being built for the Brightwater conveyance system and convert an existing 4.5 mile wastewater pipe to carry reclaimed water to the Sammamish Valley. These new reclaimed water pipes will bring reclaimed water closer to irrigators and industries in north King County, south Snohomish County, and the Sammamish Valley. The system's south section will extend from the North Creek Pump Station in Bothell to the Sammamish Valley near the Willows Run Golf Course (see map).

By including pipes in the tunnels while they are being built and converting an existing pipe, King County can make reclaimed water available for distribution at a much lower cost than building a separate pipeline in the future. About 2 miles of new pipe will be installed between York Pump Station and the southeast corner of the Willows Run Golf Course. The county is working with local water utilities to evaluate ways to connect customers to the system when reclaimed water becomes available from Brightwater in 2011.

The system's south section mains will be designed and constructed so that increasing volumes of reclaimed water could be delivered in the future to meet growing demand.

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Schedule

The south section is currently in the design and engineering phase. Construction is scheduled to begin mid-2008, and we expect reclaimed water will be available in the Sammamish Valley in 2011 when Brightwater is in full operation.

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Environmental Review Process - what it is and how to be involved

State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review is required for the Brightwater Reclaimed Water System. The construction and operation of reclaimed water pipes in Brightwater conveyance system tunnels was reviewed under SEPA in the Brightwater Treatment System Final Environmental Impact Statement (2003). The portion of the system's south section from the North Creek Pump Station in Bothell to the Sammamish Valley has not yet been reviewed under SEPA.

In the Summer, 2007, King County plans to complete an environmental checklist for the Brightwater reclaimed water system's south section. This process provides a way to identify potential environmental impacts that may result from governmental decisions. The environmental checklist includes information on the project and its location, and will describe the potential impacts of the project on the natural and built environments, including earth, air, water, plants and animals, environmental health, noise, land use, recreation, light and glare, and aesthetics. Mitigation measures for potential impacts will also be identified in the checklist.

A formal announcement of the results of the environmental review process, known as the "SEPA determination," will be issued with the checklist. Notice of the environmental determination will be mailed to property owners within 500 feet of the project area and to this mailing list. Information on where to send comments will be included with the announcement. Public comments on the checklist and determination will be accepted for 17 days after the date it is issued.

If you would like a copy of the complete environmental checklist and SEPA determination for the Brightwater Reclaimed Water System South Section, please contact Steve Tolzman at 206-263-6185 or steve.tolzman@kingcounty.gov. The environmental review document will be available at local libraries and on the King County Wastewater Treatment Division website on the date of issuance.

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More information

• We will be sending e-mail updates and project bulletins throughout the Brightwater Reclaimed Water, Sammamish Valley project.
• Contact Rachael Dillman about this King County project at 206-296-1311 or rachael.dillman@kingcounty.gov. Ask to be added to the project mailing list or e-mail list.
• This page is also available as a PDF file (770KB).
• More about advanced treatment technology at Brightwater Treatment Plant.

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For more information about King County's Reclaimed Water Program, contact Jo Sullivan at 206-296-8361 or by e-mail.

Jo Sullivan
King County Reclaimed Water Program
201 S. Jackson St., Suite 505
Seattle, WA 98104-3855

Updated: July 2, 2007

Also of interest

Regional Wastewater Services Plan
Water Conservation Program
Water Supply in King County
Biosolids Recycling