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Improvement projects
Find information about construction and improvement projects at West Point.
Active and planned projects
These capital improvement and asset management projects focus on protecting worker and public safety and the environment while protecting ratepayer investments by improving system reliability and increasing efficiency. The projects to replace, repair, and upgrade the equipment and facilities at West Point will help us continue to protect public health and the environment, serve more than 700,000 residents, and treat 100 million gallons of wastewater per day. We welcome your feedback and will provide regular updates about our progress
Highlighted projects
Primary effluent and return activated sludge pipelines rehabilitation and replacement
Learn about our work to restore pipelines necessary for the secondary treatment process at West Point Treatment Plant.
Raw sewage pump replacement
The purpose of this project is to replace the raw sewage pump system and implement structural improvements to the facility.
Effluent Pump Station Gate Rehabilitation
Learn more about replacement of the isolation gates at the Effluent Pump Station (EPS).
Additional projects
Project overview
This is the second project phase after the seismic upgrades to the Primary Sedimentation area. This project will apply a protective coating to the primary sedimentation tanks to increase their durability and longevity.
Project impacts
This project is not expected to have impacts on Discovery Park visitors. The plant has two primary sedimentation basins - East basin and West basin.
West basin will be recoated in the summer of 2025 and East basin will be recoated in 2026.
This work will be completed during the summer months when wastewater flows are the lowest to West Point. Only one basin will need to remain operational while the other basin is being worked on.
Project benefits
The primary tank coatings in each basin will improve the durability of the tanks and increase each basin's operational life for wastewater treatment.
Construction schedule
2025-2026
Project overview
This project will install door card access readers around the plant and several other security upgrades to protect staff and the wastewater treatment process.
Project impacts
This project is not expected to have impacts on Discovery Park visitors.
Project benefits
Improved treatment plant security and staff safety.
Construction schedule
2025 - 2026
Project overview
Learn how West Point is upgrading our fire suppression system (sprinklers and fire hydrants). We installed valves to reduce pressure in the water system. The new installations follow city and state codes to ensure continued use of city water for the plant. The new equipment is located near the main entrance.
Project impacts
The project reduces overall risk in the fire suppression system. Risks include pipe failure and leaks in the sprinklers. We will also take measures to protect against contamination if the pipes flood.
Project benefits
Making a safer, drier system: Too much water pressure can cause leaks. The upgrades address this issue and avoid safety risks from making the area wet.
Preventing contamination: The new system adds protection in case of flooding.
Construction schedule
2023 - 2025
Project overview
Learn about our work to replace the old grit classifiers at West Point. During primary treatment, we remove materials such as sand, gravel, and minerals from wastewater. This is done using the grit classifier. The grit classifiers were installed in West Point in the early 1990s and have since worn out. This project will design and install new equipment to replace the old grit classifiers.
Project Impacts
This project will replace or refurbish the grit classifiers at West Point. We will also add improvements to other related equipment. The upgrades help protect other tools later in the treatment process from wear and tear caused by gravel, sand, and other materials.
Project benefits
Upgrading equipment reliability: Replacing the equipment will keep things working for another 25 years at least.
Decreasing maintenance costs: The new, upgraded grit classifiers will cost less to maintain than the old ones.
Reduces wear and tear on equipment: Successful removal of grit reduces damage on pipes and equipment throughout the treatment process.
Construction schedule
2024-2026
Project overview
Learn how we’re improving the oxygen system that helps clean wastewater.
Our team is reviewing the plant’s old oxygen generation and dissolution system (OGADS). This system makes and adds oxygen to the wastewater during secondary treatment—a key step that uses helpful bacteria to break down pollutants. These bacteria need oxygen to survive and do their job.
By updating the OGADS equipment, we can make the process more energy-efficient, which helps reduce operating costs and supports our environmental goals. We’ll look at what parts can be reused and what needs replacing to keep the system running reliably and sustainably.
Project impacts
The OGADS equipment currently requires a lot of energy to run. It also is expensive to maintain. The system uses around 45% of West Point's total electricity. We will redesign the equipment to reduce that energy consumption and improve efficiency.
Project benefits
Increasing equipment efficiency: The new equipment will improve efficiency in this step of the treatment process.
Reducing energy consumption: The new design will need less energy and meet the King County Energy Plan goals.
Construction schedule
2026-2027
Project Overview
This project will replace six odor scrubbers and associated equipment that help reduce odors from the wastewater treatment process. The project will also improve access to make maintenance work easier in the future.
Project Impacts
The odor scrubber equipment is in the middle of the West Point Treatment Plant. Impacts to the community or treatment process are not anticipated
Project benefits
Improved compliance with Puget Sound Clean Air Agency regulations and improved access for maintenance.
Construction schedule
2026 - 2027
Completed projects
Passive weir for emergency bypass
Learn about our work to construct a passive weir system at West Point Treatment Plant to ensure wastewater will bypass the plant during extreme emergency scenarios.
Biogas pipe replacement
The purpose of this project is to replace parts of biogas piping connected to the digesters at West Point that have leaks or corrosion.
Power quality improvement
Power disruptions at West Point can cause equipment shutdowns. When this happens during heavy rain, the facility is overwhelmed and untreated wastewater and stormwater flows into Puget Sound. The purpose of this project is to rapidly identify and implement solutions to improve the reliability of the plant’s electrical power supply.
Power monitoring upgrades
WTD has a comprehensive maintenance program for all of its facilities. As part of our system maintenance, the four electrical switchgears were replaced at West Point.
Sedimentation tanks seismic upgrade
West Point is undergoing upgrades to make the facility more resilient in the event of an earthquake. We are improving large enclosed sedimentation tanks that play a key role in the wastewater treatment process.