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Image: Concrete crews place concrete for the access hatch opening.
While we celebrate the success of our power quality improvement building, completed earlier this year, our work is far from over! As part of King County’s independent review of the 2017 West Point flooding event, we're taking proactive steps to safeguard West Point Treatment Plant. A new passive weir is on the way, designed to ensure wastewater can bypass the plant during extreme emergencies.
But what is a passive weir?
A passive weir is a structure designed to control and manage the flow of water without the need for operator intervention. It typically consists of a barrier or dam-like feature that allows water to flow over or through it at a controlled rate. It’s a smart, reliable solution that ensures the plant stays safe, even in the most critical scenarios.
Crews are onsite completing the very early phases of the passive weir construction process. Stay tuned for more updates on this work in 2025!
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 Image: A look at the batteries providing frontline operators with smooth power supply and keeping pumps operating.
When a powerful windstorm hit in November last year, King County's new onsite battery system at the West Point Treatment Plant did its job. The system delivered stable power during voltage sags caused by the storm, ensuring smooth operations throughout the night. During the storm, West Point Treatment Plant experienced seven voltage sags severe enough to activate the new power quality system.
“The massive onsite battery system we created at West Point Treatment Plant passed its first major test with flying colors, delivering reliable power during a significant storm,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Despite multiple voltage sags, our frontline employees kept operations running smoothly throughout the night, ensuring Puget Sound was protected – proof that our ambitious upgrades have better prepared this critical infrastructure for severe weather events."
The swift response from King County’s operators and crews helped weather the severe windstorm without any disruption to service.
Wrapping up the Salmon SEEson
Image: The outreach team chats with visitors at the Salmon SEEson event.
The West Point Outreach Team joined our colleagues from the RainWise Program and Seattle Parks at Piper’s Creek in Carkeek Park in November for the Salmon Celebration event.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by! Folks had the opportunity to see returning chum and coho salmon and learn how King County and Seattle are continuously improving our water and habitat with the help from communities like you.
You can learn about salmon year-round at King County’s Salmon SEEson webpage by pressing “Learn more”.
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It's the perfect time to clear or unclog your storm drains! Storm drains filled with leaves and debris from fall and winter can overflow. Clogged drains can flood streets and cause stormwater to run towards homes. If you are in Seattle, you can report a clogged storm drain or a flooded road on Seattle Public Utilities’ (SPU) Find It, Fix It app. SPU also allows you to report other issues, like potholes, street sign maintenance, illegal dumping, etc. Together, we can make sure our community is taken care of.
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Did you know there were projects, such as the Power Quality Improvement building, happening at West Point Treatment Plant across 2024? These improvement projects to replace, repair, and upgrade the equipment and facilities at West Point will help us continue to protect public health and the environment, and serve more than 700,000 residents per day.
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Image: Aerial view of West Point Treatment Plant.
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 Image: A King County hard hat and orange safety vest.
We’re excited to kick off the new year with a fresh look for the King County Wastewater Treatment Division! This mini makeover reflects our commitment to clean water and protecting public health and the environment. While our appearance may have changed, we’ll continue to deliver the same high-quality service to you and your community.
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