Seattle sewer lines installed in the early- to mid-20th century simply can’t handle the up to 70 million gallons of polluted stormwater that flows into the Duwamish River. And as Seattle continues to grow and impervious surfaces create additional runoff, the combined sewer-wastewater systems that fill much of the Seattle area exceed the capacity of existing wastewater treatment facilities.
A $262-million project near Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood will begin to change that reality.