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Nov
05

Permits for treating and conveying water resources and compliance recognition

King County conveys treated water to Puget Sound and to recycled water beneficial uses from its regional wastewater conveyance and treatment system under permits issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) and Washington State Department of Health.

Permits

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits

Ecology administers NPDES permits under authority delegated to the department by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These permits outline the conditions under which King County can discharge treated wastewater.

Note: 
If the permit links below do not work, then go to the water quality permitting and reporting information system on the Department of Ecology website and enter the plant name or permit number.

 

Brightwater Treatment Plant: WA0032247, expires February 28, 2023 (administratively extended)

South Treatment Plant: WA0029581, expires July 31, 2020 (administratively extended)

West Point Treatment Plant: WA0029181, expires May 31, 2029

Carnation Treatment Plant: WA0032182, expires October 31, 2026

Vashon Treatment Plant: WA0022527, expires Feb. 28, 2022 (administratively extended)

Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit

Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit: effective Jan. 1, 2022; expires Dec. 31, 2026

  • Permit 
  • Fact sheet
  • Note: The Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit is applicable only to King County’s four wastewater treatment plants that discharge directly to Puget Sound (i.e., West Point, South, Brightwater, and Vashon). King County submitted its initial applications, and obtained coverage under this permit for the four plants in March 2022.

For more information, visit the Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit  (Department of Ecology).


Reclaimed water permits

Learn more about reclaimed water.

Note:
If the permit links below do not work, then go to the water quality permitting and reporting information system on the Department of Ecology website and enter the plant name or permit number.

Brightwater Treatment Plant: ST0045498, expires April 30, 2024

South Treatment Plant: ST7445, expires July 31, 2020

Carnation Treatment Plant: expires Dec 31, 2018

  • Combined with NPDES permit above

Compliance recognition

National Association of Clean Water Agencies' (NACWA) Peak Performance Awards program recognizes NACWA member agency facilities for excellence in wastewater treatment as measured by their compliance with their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.

2022 Awards:

  • Brightwater Treatment Plant: Platinum 6
  • Carnation Treatment Plant: 
  • South Treatment Plant: Gold
  • Vashon Treatment Plant: Platinum 12
  • West Point Treatment Plant: Platinum 5
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