Pierce County residents are invited to attend an open house next week to learn more about the $353 million expansion of the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
When completed in 2016, the new facility will increase sewer capacity, introduce new technologies that help protect the environment, support economic development in Pierce County, and build the foundation for meeting future environmental regulations, according to Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Director Brian Ziegler. The project will also allow the county to repair and replace aging infrastructure at the plant. The expansion project will increase the plant’s footprint from 49 acres to 89 acres and treatment capacity from 28.7 million gallons per day to 43 million gallons per day. Infrastructure improvements consist of a new laboratory, rehabilitation of existing buildings, and expansion of many of the treatment facilities such as digesters, aeration basins and secondary clarifiers. The project is funded primarily through a series of three bond sales. Additional funding comes from a Public Works Trust Fund loan, connection charges for new developments, state grants, and monthly rates collected from sewer customers.
The open house will be held on Thurs., Jan. 31 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Pierce County’s Environmental Services Building, located at 9850 64th Street West, in University Place. “Pierce County residents will learn about the benefits this project will bring to the county,” said Ziegler. “Attendees will also get to talk one-on-one with project staff and contractors.” A presentation about the project will begin at 6 p.m. Speakers will include Ryan Dooley, Public Works and Utilities engineering supervisor, who serves as the project manager; Tim Ramsaur, Public Works and Utilities wastewater utility manager; Councilmember Connie Ladenburg (District 4); and representatives from Mortenson Construction and Brown and Caldwell, the general contractor/construction manager and design team. Topics will include construction and traffic impacts, features of the new treatment plant, sustainable elements of the design, funding, and how wastewater treatment works.
More information is available online at piercecountywa.org/sewerexpansion.
