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In rare emergency situations such as extended power outages, grocery stores and other types of commercial facilities may need to dispose of spoiled liquid food-grade products (such as milk) to the sanitary sewer.
Any facility with a current industrial wastewater discharge approval from King County Industrial Waste (KCIW) must follow the special conditions outlined in its discharge authorization for discharges to the County's sanitary sewer system.
Regardless of discharge volume, the discharge of spoiled food-grade liquids must meet King County local limits, especially as it relates to pH.
Any facility with a current industrial wastewater discharge approval from KCIW can contact its KCIW representative for discharge conditions or further information.
Emergency discharge of more than 1,000 gallons
Facility personnel should first contact King County Industrial Waste (KCIW) during regular business hours (8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday) to request approval to discharge. Discharge may be subject to a high strength surcharge fee.
Call KCIW at 206-477-5300 or TTY: 711
Outside business hours
Facilities with emergency discharges should call the County treatment plant serving their facility.
View the King County wastewater treatment service area maps
- Brightwater Treatment Plant: (service area north King County and south Snohomish County). Call 206-263-9500 or TTY: 711. The second number to call, if needed, is 206-263-1760
- Carnation Treatment Plant: (service area, the City of Carnation). For assistance call South Treatment Plant at 206-263-1760 or TTY: 711
- South Treatment Plant: (service area of greater Seattle eastside and south King County). Call 206-263-1760 or TTY: 711
- Vashon Treatment Plant: (service area, the Vashon Sewer District). For assistance call South Treatment Plant at 206-263-1760 or TTY: 711
- West Point Treatment Plant: (service area City of Seattle, north King County and south Snohomish County). Call 206-263-3801 or TTY: 711
Emergency discharge of less than 1,000 gallons
Facilities located in West Point and South Treatment Plant Service Areas
Grocery stores and other types of commercial facilities that are located in the West Point and South Treatment Plant service areas of King County do not have to contact King County Industrial Waste (KCIW) prior to discharging less than 1,000 gallons of spoiled liquid food-grade products to the sanitary sewer. In these cases, facilities with emergency discharges should contact their local sewer agencies to request approval to discharge these wastes.
Facilities located in Brightwater Treatment Plant Service Area
Facilities located in the Brightwater Treatment Plant service area of King County should contact KCIW prior to discharging only if they plan on discharging more than 250 gallons of spoiled liquid food-grade products to the sanitary sewer. Facilities that plan on discharging less than 250 gallons of spoiled liquid food-grade products to the sanitary sewer should contact their local sewer agencies to request approval to discharge these wastes.
Facilities located in Carnation and Vashon Treatment Plant Service Areas
For these facilities, due to the capacity of these plants to handle certain discharges, commercial facilities with any significant volume of emergency discharges of spoiled food-grade liquids should first contact KCIW for permission to discharge.
If you have any questions or to request discharge approval, please contact KCIW at 206-477-5300 or TTY: 711 or info.kciw@kingcounty.gov.