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.
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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
- Facility summary
- Permit (includes reclaimed water)
- Fact sheet
Vashon Treatment Plant: WA0022527, expires Feb. 28, 2022 (administratively extended)
- Facility summary
- Permit
- Fact sheet
- Note: the Beulah Park wastewater treatment system, located on Vashon Island, is a large on-site sewage system (LOSS) and operates under a permit from the State Department of Health, permit # KIN005. This permit is renewed on an annual basis in October of each year.
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.
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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