Bellevue, Wash., sewer upgrade is first project of its kind to earn Salmon-Safe certification

King County’s major sewer upgrade in Bellevue is the first infrastructure project of its kind to earn Salmon-Safe certification, simultaneously modernizing essential wastewater infrastructure for a growing population, improving habitat for fish and wildlife, and increasing access to nature for people of all abilities.

Salmon-Safe, one of the nation’s leading eco-labels, reviewed the stream design developed by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division as part of their performance-based certification process. Replacing nearly two miles of sewer pipeline will better serve growing populations in Bellevue and Newcastle.

The 5-year project, scheduled to begin this spring, will build on improvements the City of Bellevue has made along its Red Cedar Trailhead to make the popular urban hiking trail more accessible.

The current sewer line, installed in the 1960s, is nearing its capacity to serve growing Eastside communities. It crosses under the creek in multiple locations, generally following the creek through the Coal Creek Natural Area with multiple maintenance holes.

The new pipeline will largely bypass the natural area while much of the existing pipeline will be safely decommissioned and left in place to minimize disruption. Crews will remove portions of the pipeline that are in the creek, plant native vegetation, and add woody debris to restore ecological functions. The project design incorporated input from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the City of Bellevue, and the neighboring community. 

“The Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade project is a perfect example of how we can achieve our environmental goals at the same time we improve quality of life for King County residents,” said Claudia Balducci, King County Councilmember and Chair of the Regional Water Quality Committee.

“The Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade project is a critical investment in our region’s future and reflects our commitment to sustainability and public health,” said Kamuron Gurol, Director of the Wastewater Treatment Division. “By replacing aging infrastructure with a modern, more resilient system, we’re ensuring reliable wastewater service for residents while enhancing a salmon-bearing creek and the surrounding environment.” 

Salmon-Safe offers peer-reviewed certification to West Coast farmers, developers, and other land stewards in both urban and rural areas who want to reduce their impact on watersheds. Salmon-Safe’s science team was particularly impressed by the Wastewater Treatment Division’s project design that not only reduces the impact on the surrounding environment but enhances it. The project meets Salmon-Safe standards for construction stormwater management, stream flow management during construction, water quality protection, and invasive species management.

The new pipeline will be steered away from Coal Creek using a tunneling machine to reduce the impact above ground.

The Salmon-Safe certification is valid for five years and is subject to annual reviews. The Wastewater Treatment Division will continue to work with the Portland-based nonprofit to ensure the project meets the conditions of certification.

 

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