Construction projects under way at King County's West Point Treatment Plant will increase operating efficiency, improve process safety and expand the production and use of renewable energy. The construction activity will be limited to the plant site and pose no impact to the public's use and enjoyment of the park.
The West Point plant, which began operating in 1966 and currently treats about 105 million gallons of wastewater each day, is located at 1400 Utah St. W. inside Seattle's Discovery Park.
Here is a list of projects being carried out through 2015:
Waste-to-Energy Project: King County's Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) will soon begin construction on a new cogeneration system at the plant that will convert digester gas into a source of heat and electricity for plant operations. Digester gas is a naturally occurring byproduct of the solids treatment process and an excellent source of renewable energy.
When the new cogeneration system begins operating in 2012, it will produce about 23,000 Megawatt-hours of electricity each year, which is equivalent to the electricity needed to power nearly 2,300 homes.
West Point Disinfection Upgrades: To protect public health and comply with new Washington State Department of Ecology permitting requirements, King County is converting the plant's disinfection system from chlorine gas to sodium hypochlorite, which is a safer and more stable liquid that is very similar to strong household bleach. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
Screening Improvements: WTD will soon begin design on a project to upgrade and replace the screening equipment that filters out trash and other debris during the initial phase of the treatment process. In addition to supporting compliance with environmental permits, the new equipment and screening facility are needed to protect the quality of our biosolids as well as other process equipment. The project is scheduled for completion in 2015. People can support WTD's environmental mission and help keep its operating costs down by flushing only bodily waste and toilet paper.
Digestion System Improvements: Construction is under way on a project to upgrade West Point's six digesters that process organic solids and produce valuable resources such as biosolids and methane gas that can be scrubbed and used for heat and power. Between 2012 and 2013, individual digesters will be taken off-line on a rotating schedule to enable contractors to replace controls, valves, pumps and other equipment. The work is needed to ensure these facilities operate at peak performance.
West Point Office Annex: Construction will begin in 2011 on a permanent, modular office annex that will replace temporary construction trailers that have outlived their useful lifespan. The new office space will become available by 2012.
All projects will comply with the standards and requirements outlined in the 1991 West Point Settlement Agreement.
For additional information about the West Point Treatment Plant, please visit the Wastewater Treatment Division's website at http://www.kingcounty.gov.
For questions or additional information about the projects, please contact Jo Sullivan at 206-296-8361 or e-mail jo.sullivan@kingcounty.gov.[[In-content Ad]]
