New King County Kirkland Pump Station Ahead of Schedule

The King County Wastewater Treatment Division says it's project to upgrade the 40‐year‐old Kirkland Pump Station is ahead of schedule, and the new pumps are now operational. 

The project, which increases the capacity of the pump station, which is located on Third Street and Park Lane and serves downtown Kirkland, by 3.4 million gallons a day and increase reliability, is slated for completion in spring 2014. On July 31, 2013, the new pumps were put into full operation pumping wastewater, marking a milestone.

The old station has been plagued with problems, such as a 68,000-gallon overflow earlier this year that closed Marina Park beach for days when a transmitter and one of the pumps failed. 

With the advancing project, Park Lane could be opened several months ahead of schedule, Wastewater said.

Following is the current progress of the project, from a King County press release:

Progress Update

While sequencing construction activities on this project; careful consideration was given to be able to maintain continued operations of the existing pump station while constructing the new pump station around it.

In late July, the new pumps became fully operational. This now allows for the removal of the existing pumps and the reconfiguration of the eastern portion of the pump station. 

Remaining Work

·         Demolishing existing equipment

·         Reconfiguring portions of the pump station

·         Installing a new standby generator

·         Continuing improvements to the exterior of the building and Park Lane

Project Timeline

It is currently anticipated that the new pump station will be fully operational in January 2014 and Park Lane will reopen several months ahead of schedule in spring 2014. 

What to Expect

·         Continued closure of Park Lane between Main Street and Third Street for construction staging.

·         Work hours Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

·         Noise and other activity typical of a construction site: work crews, trucks, and construction materials.

·         Questions? 24-hour project information hotline, 206-205-9196