Drafter
Clerk 05/05/2017
Title
A MOTION providing for evaluating and reporting on the Strategic Asset Management Plan of the wastewater treatment division, to assess the need to focus on system critical infrastructure such as the West Point Treatment Plant.
Body
WHEREAS, the West Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is the flagship of the region's wastewater system, serves as the key wastewater treatment facility for a significant portion of the system's service area, and
WHEREAS, the plant experienced a major system failure in the early morning of February 9, 2017, with the result that the plant was inundated by major internal flooding and that the emergency bypass discharge was activated, resulting in the release of high volumes of untreated, combined flows of wastewater and stormwater directly into Puget Sound ("the event"), and
WHEREAS, initial indications suggest that, among other factors, the failure of effluent pumps, electric power interruptions and automatic water-level detection systems were major factors in the event, and
WHEREAS, the wastewater treatment division has prepared a Strategic Asset Management Plan, which is intended to evaluate the condition of equipment utilized in the operation of key facility systems, and provide for equipment repair, upgrade and replacement, and
WHEREAS, the event presents an opportunity to evaluate the plan to assess whether revisions to strengthen its focus on system critical capital infrastructure, while continuing to address the wastewater system as a whole, are appropriate;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The executive is requested undertake a review and report on the Strategic Asset Management Plan of the wastewater treatment division, to assess means by which the plan can be modified and strengthened to address conditions that have become apparent as the result of the event.
B. The review and report should be transmitted by one hundred eighty days after the report required by Motion 14826 is delivered to the council, in the form of a paper original and an electronic copy with the clerk of the council, who shall retain the
original and provide in electronic copy to all councilmembers, the council chief of staff and the lead staff for the regional water quality committee, or its successor.