Redmond's poop once flowed downhill to "South Treatment Plant" in Renton. Yesterday, Redmond High School science teacher Ms. Marsh, took 25 students and a smattering of parents to the Renton plant for an incredibly fascinating three hour tour. Yep, that's right --fascinating!
Ms. Casey Plank, full time tour guide, gave an awesome tour! Her 4 minute video clip above touches on it. If she had more time she would have taken us to the "WaterWorks Garden wetland" and art adjacent to the plant.
Some interesting history! Did you know that Redmond's wastewater was all dumped into Lake Washington 50 years ago? Thirty pipes pipes from Eastside cities all dumped (pun intended) poop, TP, pharmaceuticals, floss, tampons and other waste into the lake. Swimming, fishing and other water sports were non-existent. One day, citizens couldn't take it anymore and the pipes were capped. Only ten years later the lake water was clean, thanks to friendly bacteria! Today, one 14-foot pipe empties into the plant!
Casey told us only the "4 P's" should go into toilets. Can you guess what the *"4P's" are? Pharmaceuticals is NOT one of them! They are not good for our salmon. Drugs and hormones have been attributed to male fish producing eggs in some eastern rivers! That's right!
In 2011 Redmond's poop will begin flowing north of Woodinville to the Brightwater treatment plant currently under construction. But that's another story! Thank you Ms. Marsh for this one!
If you're looking for something to do with your family or friends on EARTH DAY, Casey will be giving a tour of the wetland park, art, and wastewater treatment plant. Don't miss the heron rookery! Did you know herons are Redmond's "species of local importance"? EARTH DAY is Saturday, April 19. The tour is from 10am to 2pm. Questions! Call 206-296-8361.
Bob Yoder, co-author, Education Hill Neighborhood
Frequently asked questions on the city's website. "4P's" below
2.5 minute video clip of a segment of Casey's underground tour.
*the "4 P's" are poop,pee,puke, and TP.
The History of Metro - sewage treatment, bus transit, and other county regional issues.
Bob, thank you so much for sharing your tour with me, I will send it along to others. Most of our customers did not know about what happens at the end of the pipe so we appreciate your enthusiasm for the job we do.
ReplyDeleteChristie True
Director
King County Wastewater Treatment Division
What a hoot! This is an amazing site. Will share Casey's quick Hollywood debut with my students that were unable to attend on Sat.
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing all of this! What a resource.
Mary M.
Redmond High School
I watched a 60-Minute news report on the San Diego wastewater facility used to RECLAIM water.
ReplyDeleteThere is some good background on the usage of water in San Diego posted on San Diego Earth Times
San Diego might sound like a far-away city. However, a few years ago, Redmond mandated water usage restrictions because the winter dropped little snow up in the mountains. And then, the following summer was unusually dry. These conditions created a drought right here in Redmond.
With our population increasing, and global warming melting the snow pack, our water pressure could be dropping in the future.