Ecology proposes new safeguards in West Point permit

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - December 22, 2008

08-334

Ecology proposes new safeguards in West Point permit

BELLEVUE – Washington's largest municipal wastewater treatment plant would follow some more stringent requirements under a Department of Ecology (Ecology) proposal. Ecology seeks public comment on a proposed five-year re-issuance of the discharge permit for King County’s West Point wastewater treatment plant and combined sewer overflow (CSO) system. The permit is a key tool to provide critical water-quality protection for Puget Sound.

“The permit pulls together the standards and requirements in our clean-water laws and regulations into a set of conditions. These ensure that what comes into the wastewater treatment plant as sewage goes out as treated water suitable for release to Puget Sound,” said Kelly Susewind, who manages Ecology’s water quality program. “Given the public’s high interest in this permit, we’re expanding the opportunity to review and comment on it.”

Ecology has extended a public comment period on the proposed West Point permit through Feb. 13. Written comments may be sent to Tricia Miller, Permit Coordinator, Department of Ecology, 3190 160th Ave. SE, Bellevue, Wash. 98008-5452 or via e-mail to: tmil461@ecy.wa.gov, with West Point Permit in the subject line.

Ecology will host a public open house, informal presentation, and a formal public hearing on the proposal on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the South Seattle Community College Georgetown Campus, Building C, 6737 Corson Ave. S. in Seattle. An open house will begin at 6 p.m., with Ecology experts available informally to explain and answer questions about the permit. A presentation on the permit – open to audience questions – will begin at 6:30 pm. A formal public hearing to receive written or oral testimony will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The proposed permit and related information are available on-line at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/northwest_permits.html (scroll down to King County Wastewater Treatment Division - West Point Wastewater Treatment Plant) and at Ecology’s Bellevue office via mail request (at the address above) or by phone, 425-649-7201.

The West Point plant serves 1.3 million people in 14 cities and sewer districts in parts of King and southern Snohomish counties. The facility treats an average of approximately 100 million gallons of incoming sewage per day. Treatment plant permits last for five years.

Older sections of Seattle have a single combined sewer system that carries sewage and stormwater. CSO storage and treatment systems manage high flows that result from storms, to prevent or reduce releases of untreated combined sewage and stormwater. The permit contains updated schedules for implementing projects to reduce overflows. The permit includes King County’s CSO facilities, which include four CSO storage and treatment facilities (Alki, Carkeek, Elliott West, and Henderson/MLK) and 38 individual CSO outfalls.

Other new or updated provisions in the proposed permit include:

Requires more reliable disinfection of treated wastewater at West Point.
Sets more stringent limits on fecal coliform bacteria and chlorine from CSO treatment plants.
Adds pH limits for CSO treatment plant discharges. pH is a measure of acidity and alkalinity.
Requires increased monitoring of contaminants in the West Point discharge and how these affect Puget Sound water and sediments.
Adds requirements to track the input of industrial chemicals into the sewer system.

The proposed permit comes amid a backdrop of several Ecology-initiated, long range goals to restore and protect Puget Sound.

“A number of citizens have asked us to start far-reaching new protections for Puget Sound with this permit. But a single permit is not the tool to carry out broader water-quality strategies.” said Susewind. “Soon, several studies under the Puget Sound Initiative will provide information that could lead to new or changed strategies. Permit changes would come at that point, when it’s time to implement such changes, and not only at West Point.”

Susewind added that Ecology could further update the West Point permit before the five-year permit cycle expires, based on new findings.

Puget Sound studies currently underway that will further inform the West Point permit include:

Controlling nutrient pollution to maintain dissolved oxygen levels:

South Sound Dissolved Oxygen Study. This research includes King County’s wastewater treatment plants. It examines how various sources of nitrogen and phosphorus affect dissolved oxygen levels. These pollutants feed processes that use up oxygen that fish and other marine life need to live. Preliminary results are due in one year, with a final report in 2010.
An economic and technology study will evaluate the costs and benefits of available technologies that can reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in treated water.

Toxics and pharmaceuticals:

A study – due in the summer of 2009 – will asses the presence of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors (which interfere with reproduction).
An evaluation – due in about one year – will report on the concentrations of toxic compounds released by treatment plants.

Mixing zones:

A recent study of approaches in several states, found Washington’s mixing zone standards among the most stringent in the nation. Mixing zones – allowed under Washington state regulations – are limited areas where water quality standards may be exceeded.
Ecology is assessing the use of all mixing zones allowed in active permits.

To learn more about protecting water quality protection in Puget Sound, please visit http://www.ecy.wa.gov/puget_sound/waterquality.html. (Link updated 06/19/09)

###

Media Contacts:
Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009; pager 206-663-1785
Mark Henley, Ecology permit manager for West Point, 425-649-7103; mahe461@ecy.wa.gov

For more information:
Water quality permits in Ecology’s Northwest Region - http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/northwest_permits.html

Puget Sound Water Quality - http://www.ecy.wa.gov/puget_sound/waterquality.html (Link updated 06/19/09)

South Sound Dissolved Oxygen Study - http://www.ecy.wa.gov/puget_sound/dissolved_oxygen_study.html

Control of Toxic Chemicals in Puget Sound - http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/pstoxics/index.html