June 2, 2008

Video: Newest wastewater treatment facility opens in Carnation

Watch the video in Real Media or Windows format

Narrator says:

With a blessing from the Snoqualmie Tribe, the newest wastewater treatment facility in King County opened in Carnation. It will serve the two thousand residents in Carnations urban growth area with the capacity to double its number of customers over the next twenty years or so.

The new plant uses membrane bioreactor technology to clean the wastewater and will allow for expanded use of reclaimed water that can be used for irrigation and wetland enhancement.

During the start-up phase, treated water from the plant will be discharged via the river outfall at Carnation Farm Road Bridge, but flows will eventually be directed to the Chinook Bend wetlands along the Snoqualmie River.

It was the first chance for local residents to tour the new plant and it was a chance for all the people who played a role in the plants construction to celebrate its addition to the city and the environment.

Christie True/King County Wastewater Division Director says:

Things that people often see as a waste we see as a resource and what we’re going to be able to do here in Carnation is to take the water, which will be highly treated and very, very clean and take it over to Chinook Bend where it will actually be an enhancement to the habitat in that area. So it’s been a great opportunity to really highlight that and work with a community that is so interested and welcoming of us in creating this opportunity.

Roger Goodman/ State Representative says:

We’re mitigating an environmental threat to rivers here that we have now secured but also in my mind we’re creating the opportunity to be a model for sustainable small towns, sustainable community for the 21 st century. This is a very special place and I’m happy to be a part of it.

Larry Springer/State Representative says:

And the notion that you now have a downtown that has the opportunity to thrive and grow again cannot be understated. The fact that you’re about to build housing in this town for the first time in years can’t be understated.

Kathy Lambert/King County Councilwoman says:

Within two years you were able to turn the field in front of us into…that, and I think it’s really amazing because it opens so many doors literally for you. Over the next summer the county will be finishing the landscaping and reconnecting the trail to the Tolt McDonald park and I want to thank the members of the can do team because they worked really hard on the design and were instrumental in making it look like it does today.

Dave Reichert/Congressman says:

You have done a great job and I am just pleased to be here today to help be a small part of this event and working with other members of congress to acquire the 1.3 million dollars to help you finish this facility so thank you for allowing me to be here today and congratulations to the city of Carnation and King County for the great work that you’ve done.

Stuart Lisk/Carnation City Councilman says:

No one wants to have more expenses each month, but I can tell you this, this Carnation sewer system gives everyone a good return on their investment. Believe it or not there have been five administrations since we started this endeavor, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that every single council member worked hard over the years to keep the cost low and obtain financing to keep our payments low.

Mike Flowers/Carnation Mayor says: If it hadn’t been for Executive Sims and his willingness to work with Carnation and the dedication of his staff this project would never have been possible. King County’s willingness to partner with Carnation to build and operate the wastewater treatment plant demonstrates the high value they place on small communities in rural King County.

Narrator says:

And as the Cedarcrest Jazz band played Sunshine of your life, things did get a little sunnier in Carnation as they looked to the future now that their wastewater problems have been solved.