LOTT approves 2050 master plan that provides a roadmap to meet future wastewater capacity needs

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The LOTT Clean Water Alliance Board of Directors on Wednesday approved the LOTT 2050 Master Plan, which outlines strategies to treat wastewater and meet future capacity needs in an adaptable and cost-effective manner.

LOTT Executive Director Matt Kennelly said the plan identifies options and priorities to sustain the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant and provides flexibility to expand reclaimed water production and recharge LOTT's existing facilities.

One of the key components in the 2050 Master Plan is the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant site plan. The LOTT captured the outcomes of the biological process improvements, projects, and availability of structures that can be used in the future.

Kennelly added that LOTT has been in conversation with the Port of Olympia on identifying parcels that would be purchased.

"We're still talking to them about the parcels into the future. But internally, there are just lots of different options and flexibility," Kennelly said.

LOTT Executive Director Matt Kennelly presents a table reflecting the 2050 Master Plan strategies and their costs.
LOTT Executive Director Matt Kennelly presents a table reflecting the 2050 Master Plan strategies and their costs.

For the long-term management strategies component, the LOTT executive director said the primary plan is to enhance treatment at the Budd Inlet plant and expand reclaimed water, including the existing facilities.

The LOTT's reclaimed water plant (RWP) list includes the following:

  • Martin Way RWP as wastewater flow becomes available
  • Hawks Prairie Recharge Basins as needed for additional infiltration
  • Budd Inlet RWP as demand for reclaimed water develops

According to Kennelly, they would need a capacity of 10 million gallons per day (MGD) in 2050 build-out, an estimated timeline for when all the parcels in the urban growth area will be developed.

To get the additional capacity, Kennelly said the plans are:

  • Enhancing treatment at Budd Inlet Plant
  • Martin Way Reclaimed Water Plant expansion
  • Budd Inlet Reclaimed Water Plan expansion

Kennelly said that at the end of 2050, the total capacity would be 10.5 MGD, with a buffer. The cost estimate would be $43.4 million.

Looking beyond 2050, Kennelly claimed they need an additional 6 MGD daily. With additional enhanced treatments at Budd Inlet and the upgraded Martin Way Reclaimed Water Plant, these could meet the projected 16 MGD capacity need.

The LOTT Board of Directors unanimously approves the 2050 Master Plan.
The LOTT Board of Directors unanimously approves the 2050 Master Plan.

"There is a plan in place with these three facilities to expand them into the future," Kennelly said, adding, "right now, we are focusing more on enhanced treatment and then expanding reclaimed water as it develops or flow is available to expand those facilities."

Kennelly said the two approaches would allow LOTT to adapt to changing conditions.

"At the end of the day, what we have in our master plan is a cost-efficient approach. We're maximizing existing infrastructure that's not only cost-effective but also environmentally sound," Kennelly said.

According to the LOTT staff report, the approval of the 2050 Master Plan provides the agency with an updated roadmap to meet the communities' wastewater management needs through full build-out.

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