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 Drew Thompson, center, manager of WTD's Sewer Heat Recovery Program, helps field questions while at the King County table during the Sustainability Symposium and Green Jobs Fair on March 6.
In 2022, as King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) was planning a storage tank in the West Duwamish community to hold polluted stormwater, we heard from nearby communities about what they wanted out of this big infrastructure project. The answer was jobs – specifically clean water jobs. So, hinking about how to connect our capital projects to meaningful employment in the community. Learn more.
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 Seven years ago, WTD faced a “silver tsunami” of retirements and the prospects of critical shortages of people to operate our wastewater treatment plants.
Fast forward to today and our regional wastewater system is buzzing with a new generation of skilled talent, many of whom come from within the many diverse communities of King County.
Meet the people behind our award-winning Operator-in-Training Program, and hear the story of how we built, from the ground up, the next generation of workers who will keep Puget Sound clean for the benefit of all of us.
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 A Yellow-rumped warbler perches on a slender budding branch near a pond at Brightwater.
Birdwatching is one of those hobbies that sneak up on you, turning ordinary walks into adventures. What could be more adventurous than a wastewater treatment plant?
The 70-acres of fields, ponds, wetlands, and walking trails surrounding Brightwater Treatment Plant in Woodinville has become a bird paradise with more than 130 species observed! It’s no wonder that the adoring humans have followed.
In fact, Birds Connect Seattle recently listed he Brightwater grounds as one of the top birdwatching spots for kids in the area. Here’s how you can get in on the action.
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 John Taylor, center, talks with West Point plant manager Tom Bauer, right, during a recent tour of the facility.
Since his appointment by County Executive Dow Constantine in February, John Taylor is making his mark as the new director of King County's Department of Natural Resources and Parks.
With his commitment to conservation and sustainability, Taylor is getting to know the ins and outs of wastewater treatment and how our services make a difference in clean water in Puget Sound.
Taylor’s work builds on the significant contributions of his predecessor, Christie True, who recently retired with a lasting tribute to her 39 years of service in the renamed Christie True Environmental Education Center at Brightwater Treatment Plant.
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 Ever wondered about innovations in sanitation? Check out "A Better Way to Go: Toilets and the Future of Sanitation" at the Gates Foundation Discovery Center in Seattle.
The exhibit includes cutting-edge toilets, engaging art, and interactive fun – all with the goal to transform our way of thinking about the essential role of wastewater sanitation in everyday life.
The exhibit is free and runs through this year, Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. near Seattle Center.
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 CitySoil Farm brims with fruits and veggies during the summer season.
Located at the South Treatment Plant in Renton, CitySoil Farm is a productive demonstration garden that supplies the White Center Food Bank with fresh, culturally-relevant produce. We use recycled water and sustainable gardening techniques to grow thousands of pounds of fresh produce annually for the community.
We are seeking regular weekly or bi-weekly volunteers to help with harvesting, weeding, and more! Volunteers go through an orientation before starting, which is held on the first Tuesday of every month. No experience in gardening is required. Contact Charity Villines, WTD farm coordinator, at cvillines@kingcounty.gov to sign up.
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