MALTBY — When the $1.8 billion Brightwater plant opens Saturday, it will have several environmentally friendly features in addition to providing sewage treatment.
Energy-saving equipment installed at the plant, in consultation with the Snohomish County Public
Utility District
King County received advice from the PUD on finding equipment that would use less power, said Neil Neroutsos, spokesman for the utility.
For example, as part of the treatment process, the wastewater is sent to a tank where air is pumped in, encouraging the growth of microorganisms that eat the pollutants. The turbo blowers that will supply air to that system are expected to operate 30 percent to 50 percent more efficiently than traditional blowers, according to the PUD and King County.
Also, other controls for the air system will be more efficient than conventional equipment, reducing power consumption by about 50 percent.
Other features include an educational community center with energy efficiency displays; a small solar-panel system that provides power to the community center, and use of current automation technology at a plant substation for maximum efficiency.
It’s not known yet how much money King County will save on its power bills, but it’s expected to be significant. Wastewater treatment is the largest user of electricity in King County government, spokeswoman Annie Kolb-Nelson said. The county operates two other plants, one in Seattle and one in Renton.
The measures at Brightwater have already paid off for King County in the form of a check for more than $265,000 from the PUD. The payment was part of the utility’s incentive program for use of energy-saving measures in new construction.
For the PUD, “it’s cheaper to work with our customers and provide some financial incentives than to go out and buy that energy,” Neroutsos said.
Learn more
To learn more about the Brightwater Treatment System, go to www. kingcounty.gov/ brightwater.
Details about the plant’s grand opening celebration on Saturday are available at http://tinyurl.com/ BrightwaterOpening.
Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.
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