West Seattle’s next pump-station projects: CSO meetings set

| Environment | Utilities | West Seattle news

(Sign at Lowman Beach after Murray Pump Station overflow in 2007)
There wasn’t much turnout last fall when we covered two meetings about upcoming “CSO” – Combined Sewer Overflow – projects that King County is pursuing in connection with two pump stations on West Seattle shores, Barton (by the Fauntleroy ferry dock) and Murray (by Lowman Beach). One recent commenter wondered if perhaps the longer-than-expected 2-year duration of the 53rd Avenue Pump Station expansion project on Alki might lead to more interest in projects like these. With that in mind – here are two meeting dates just announced by King County: 6 pm March 18 for the Barton project, 6 pm March 29 for the Murray project, both at Southwest Community Center. The CSO projects are meant to come up with ways to keep stormwater and sewage from flowing into Puget Sound during storms that overload the system; the county is looking for opinions on the various ways of making that happen – which could even involve building big storage tanks near the existing pump stations (both of which are underground), to store the excess water until the weather eases. Read more about the CSO-control program here.

Gene February 25, 2010 (11:49 am)

Crazy idea, but perhaps we could put the money/resources that would go toward “storage tanks” and other projects that address the symptoms, toward reducing stormwater runoff, and water usage in general?

That would also help reduce the half-an-exxon-valdez of hydrocarbons that end up in the Puget Sound too…

mark February 25, 2010 (11:58 am)

Gene, you have any idea how HUGE that tank would have to be? Great idea, but it would need to be at the end of the line, you want that on Alki??

Gene February 25, 2010 (2:29 pm)

Mark, I think you misread my comment. The story mentions that “storage tanks” are on the table – I’m saying that we should look at OTHER solutions that reduce stormwater in general. We need to attack the problem at the cause (impermeable surfaces, overuse of water), rather than at the end of the line… very glad to see you agree!

mark February 25, 2010 (3:05 pm)

I just know a small, moderate rain fills 200+ gallons of rain barrels I have for my tiny tiny roof. Then again, I catch the water so it doesn’t run off, further supporting your point. Rain barrels during the rain season don’t do much good.

lina February 25, 2010 (7:09 pm)

I agree with Gene. It is important to look at alternatives to new/altered ‘grey’ infrastructure. The city of Portland has a similar problem as we do around CSO’s and has begun a really interesting program called “Grey to Green’. They realized that it was far more expensive to replace all the piping, build new tanks etc. so they are also focusing on building/putting investment into green infrastructure. I will try not to geek out too much so here is the link:
http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=47203

I feel like these are the type of programs we need to push for in Seattle. They are more affordable, often beautiful and effective. I’ll admit while I was there this past November at a forestry conference I had some serious Portland envy while touring some of the Grey to Green project sites. I think Seattle is ahead of Portland on urban forest restoration but they are ahead of us on storm water management planning

KCWTD February 26, 2010 (11:52 am)

Thanks for these great comments! We sure hope you and your neighbors can make one of our meetings to share your ideas.

Can’t make the meetings? We still want to hear from you!

Share input through the project Web site at http://www.kingcounty.gov/csobeachprojects, or e-mail us at CSOBeachProjects@kingcounty.gov. You can also call Wastewater Treatment Division environmental planner Meredith Redmon at 206-263-6534, or TTY 711.

Thanks again for your interest in our projects!

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