The public is invited to an upcoming open house to learn about Pierce County’s expansion of the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. The open house will run from 5 to7 p.m. on Jan. 31, at the Environmental Services Building, 9850 64th St. W in University Place.
“Pierce County residents will learn about the benefits this project will bring to the county,” said Brian Ziegler, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Director. “Attendees will also get to talk one-on-one with project staff and contractors.”
The $353 million expansion 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. The project will also allow the county to repair and replace aging infrastructure at the plant.
Open house details
A presentation about the project will begin at 6 p.m. Speakers 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.
About the expansion
Construction of facilities will begin at the end of January and last through fall 2016.
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.
Visit www.piercecountywa.org/sewerexpansion for more information on the project.
