Sims announces water quality plan’s accomplishments, progress

King County Executive Ron Sims today issued an annual progress report on the Regional Wastewater Services Plan (RWSP), the County’s clean water program for the first third of the 21st century for King and South Snohomish counties.

At the end of 1999, the County adopted Sims’ comprehensively updated water quality plan, a 30-year capital improvement program designed to provide wastewater capacity for this region’s rapidly growing population and protect its aquatic resources.

The annual report, issued one year after the County Council approved Sims’ plan, describes the County’s progress in siting and constructing new wastewater facilities. The report provides an overview of the seven major elements of the RWSP, including treatment, conveyance, inflow and infiltration, combined sewer overflows, biosolids, water reuse, and financing.

“I am happy to report that the RWSP is on schedule and there are many successes to report,” said Sims. The RWSP is a critical element of Sims’ Earth Legacy Initiatives, celebrating the importance of protecting and enhancing the region’s natural environment. The Initiative outlines a number of innovative programs like RWSP that provide environmental safeguards and encourage others to be stewards of the environment as well.

Sims noted accomplishments outlined in the RWSP 2000 annual progress report:

• Completed a set of policy siting criteria to help narrow the list of potential sites for the third treatment plant, called the Brightwater Treatment Plant. The criteria are now before the King County Council for review and approval in December.
• Installed over 800 flow monitoring gauges to help identify sources of infiltration and inflow into the regional wastewater system.
• Completing a water reuse work plan that identifies goals, priorities, and tasks for a reuse program for the next five years and beyond.
• In various stages of planning, design, or construction for a number of conveyance projects, including improvements to safeguard the north-end against overflows into Lake Washington.

“I am delighted to report that we are making good progress toward implementing the RWSP,” said Sims. “I look forward to working with the Council and Regional Water Quality Committee as we continue to implement this important regional effort to ensure clean water in King County.”