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On March 12 and 13 (if needed), crews plan to pothole and survey an area near the Brightwater entrance. Crews will use a vacuum truck to dig the potholes. Then, they will locate and survey underground utilities.
- Work will last one to two days.
- More noise than usual near the plant entrance.
- Traffic control and flaggers directing traffic.
Please travel carefully and follow all signs and instructions from crews.
 Caption: Crews plan to pothole and survey utilities near the Brightwater entrance for 1-2 days. Please use caution while traveling in this area.
King County has an underground recycled water pipe in this area. The purpose of this survey is to understand underground conditions near the pipe to inform design plans for a future project. The future project will install new air/vacuum valves. This will improve how the pipe drains between the Brightwater Treatment Plant and the Brightwater Influent Pump Station in Bothell. We will provide more information about this and other projects at Brightwater in future email updates.
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At the end of 2025, our region experienced devastating rainstorms and flooding. As the storms raged, King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) crews worked day and night to keep the plants and system running. All of our treatment plants experienced higher wastewater flows during these major storms. During two weeks of storms, our wastewater treatment system treated more than 2 billion gallons of wastewater!
As a public utility, the majority of our funding comes from ratepayers. Investments in clean water make sure our regional wastewater system can function safely and efficiently 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. King County WTD continuously invests in our system to make sure we’re ready to respond and treat wastewater, no matter the weather. As part of these investments, Brightwater Treatment Plant has some new projects kicking off soon. Stay tuned to read more about these in upcoming emails!
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Over the last year, we’ve participated in three sustainability events at Edmonds College. Edmonds College is located near King County’s Brightwater and West Point Treatment Plant service areas. Many students live near one of our treatment plants which treats their wastewater.
We talked with students about our wastewater treatment system and Brightwater’s treatment process. We showed what not to flush down the drain to help people understand how to protect our regional wastewater systems and environment. We shared information about jobs and internships at WTD.
Caption: A King County Community Services team member shared an interactive activity with an Edmonds College student to illustrate what not to flush down the toilet.
In early February 2026, King County’s Education team participated in a “STEAM” night at Woodside Elementary School in Bothell. This was a night to celebrate all things science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and art. Throughout the year, King County educators help thousands of students and families learn all about our wastewater treatment process in fun and engaging ways.
Do you want us to meet 1:1 with your community group or organization? Is there a community event you’d like us to be at? Email us at Brightwater@kingcounty.gov. We’d love to chat more!
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Caption: To celebrate World Toilet Day, a King County Education team member helps a child understand what type of tiny microbes they will see under a microscope at the Brightwater Center.
The Brightwater Education Center welcomes the community to participate in public events, workshops, and activities. In November 2025, King County’s Education team and their educational partner IslandWood hosted a family-friendly event for World Toilet Day.
World Toilet Day is an annual initiative that highlights the need for everyone to have access to sanitation. Nearly 90 people participated in Brightwater’s World Toilet Day event! Educators gave three treatment plant tours and hosted hands-on activities, such as:
- viewing and crafting microbes
- “fishing” to learn about recycled water
- making paper pots
- planting a seed fertilized in our own Loop compost
- watching videos about sanitation around the world
One adult was overheard saying “I could stay here all day!”
Coming up this year, there are already many ways for you to visit Brightwater and learn about the water cycle and wastewater treatment process! Read on for a composting event this spring.
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Caption: Soil that’s rich in nutrients helps plants grow!
Join us for Composting 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Composting on Saturday, March 21 from 10am to 12pm at Brightwater. This 2-hour lesson will cover the basics of how to make and use compost.
This class will cover a variety of small-scale composting methods appropriate for container to large-scale gardening. Leave ready to trial your own compost system and feel empowered to determine which compost product is best for the job. Participants will get a sample of Loop Compost. This is a free event offered by King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Registration is required.
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Caption: People of all ages enjoy getting out on the Brightwater trails! If you explore with your furry friend, make sure they stay on a leash to protect other people, pets, and wildlife.
The Brightwater trails area serves people of all ages and abilities, and wildlife. Thousands of children and adults enjoy these spaces all year long. We rely on you, our human visitors, to make sure everyone feels welcome and safe in these spaces.
When you’re at Brightwater, you must always keep your dog on a leash. This makes sure everyone, including other people, pets, and wildlife, can safely enjoy this space too! Keeping dogs on a leash is required in most public spaces. In fact, Snohomish County code requires all dogs must be leashed when off the owner’s property (Snohomish County Code 9.14.030). Learn more about Snohomish County’s policy for off-leash dogs, including what to do if you have concerns.
If you bring your pet to the trail, you must pick up their poo. This protects our local creeks, streams, rivers, and Puget Sound. Make sure you put the used bag in the garbage! If you can’t find a garbage disposal nearby, please take the waste home for disposal.
In Snohomish County, dogs produce 63 tons of poo every day! Bacteria and other pathogens can wash off on yards, streets, and trails into waterways and beaches. Yuck! Pet waste can harm fish and mammals and pollute our waters. Thanks for helping to protect our environment and community's health!
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 Caption: A Brightwater tour group learns how the membranes filter out bad bacteria during the wastewater treatment process.
Have you been to the Brightwater trails area or education center and wondered what actually goes on behind the fence? A community tour is your chance to experience the wastewater treatment process up close!
Join a Brightwater Treatment Plant tour to learn how we clean wastewater and transform it into valuable resources. Tour the plant, learn about the treatment process, and discover how everyday choices can help protect our water.
Tours are once a month on Saturdays. Participants must be at least 9 years old. You must register to save your spot!
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 Caption: Brightwater is an inviting place for young minds to explore the outdoors and learn how to protect the environment.
Did you know that kids can go to summer camp at Brightwater? Our partners at IslandWood run a summer camp at Brightwater for pre-K through 6th grade. Kids will enjoy exploring nature and making scientific discoveries across 72 acres of wetlands, streams, and forest. Visit IslandWood’s website to learn more and register!
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Sign up for The Bubbler newsletter to follow King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s latest news and updates on clean water investments. Get caught up by checking out the past issues, available on our website.
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Interpretation and translation services are available to you at no cost. If you need them, please contact Brightwater@kingcounty.gov or call 206-296-7432. Please leave a message with your phone number and language if you would like a call back.
Los servicios de interpretación y traducción disponibles para usted sin costo alguno. Si los necesita, comuníquese con Brightwater@kingcounty.gov o llame al 206-296-7432. Deje un mensaje de voz con su número de teléfono y su idioma si desea que le regresen la llamada.
免費為您提供口譯和筆譯服務。如果您需要這些服 務，請聯絡 Brightwater@kingcounty.gov.
免费为您提供口译和笔译服务。如果您需要这些服 务，请联络 Brightwater@kingcounty.gov.
Alternative Formats Available: 206-477-5371 or TTY Relay: 711
Formatos alternativos disponibles: 206-477-5371 o retransmisión TTY: 711
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