Ridgefield Sewer Redirection Project – Phase 1
Background
Local comprehensive plans call for significant industrial and commercial development in and around Ridgefield. These large employment centers generate significant utility demand and planning work concluded that the existing City of Ridgefield sewer treatment plant (RTP) was not a cost-effective option for sewer treatment. The Salmon Creek Treatment Plant (SCTP) was identified as the preferred option as it would offer reliable, low-cost wastewater treatment capacity to meet those needs. Planning work concluded that all wastewater from the City of Ridgefield needs to be directed away from the RTP and the RTP decommissioned.
There are also environmental and community considerations. RTP currently discharges treated effluent into Lake River, a water quality-impaired side channel that flows into the Columbia River. SCTP discharges into the Columbia River, which is substantially larger, faster, and deeper, allowing proper mixing of treated effluent. Redirecting treated effluent to SCTP would serve as an investment in the long-term health of Lake River. Doing so would also support the Port of Ridgefield’s Waterfront Park Development project.
A program of sewer projects was developed as part of the 2017 General Sewer Plan Update to redirect sewer flow to SCTP. A sewer transmission system, referred to as the Discovery Corridor Wastewater Transmission System was constructed in 2017 to transport sewer from the City of Ridgefield to the central sewer service system that then conveys it onto SCTP.
The first phase of improvements to redirect wastewater to the Discovery Corridor Wastewater Transmission System involves upgrading the existing Gee Creek Meadows pump station system, constructing a new pump station named Gee Creek Plateau, and installing approximately 1.3 miles of pressure sewer, some of which will be located in Pioneer Street. This first phase will redirect wastewater from approximately 850 residential and commercial customers.
Future phases of the Ridgefield Sewer Redirection Project will focus on redirecting flows from the central and downtown Ridgefield area. Upon redirection of all Ridgefield flow and decommissioning of the RTP, the Gee Creek Meadows and Gee Creek Plateau facilities will serve over 2,000 customers.
Sewer service will be maintained during construction.
If you would like to receive updates on the project, please sign up for project updates at the bottom of this website.
Schedule
The overall schedule of the project will be as follows.
Construction Impacts
Construction methods to install the pressure sewer are being developed but will generally use open-cut excavation methods, which consists of digging a trench, laying pipe, and backfilling. Careful planning is taking place to minimize impacts to the traveling public.
Sewer service will be maintained during construction.
Funding
The District has received $9.3 million in low-interest funding from the Washington State Public Works Board. The funding is in the form of a low-interest loan that is estimated to save District ratepayers $0.5M over conventional funding. The loan and the balance of project costs will be funded by both system development charge revenue, which is collected from new development and rates. Learn more about infrastructure loan programs at https://www.commerce.wa.gov/pwb.
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Ridgefield Sewer Redirection Project – Phase 1
Background
Local comprehensive plans call for significant industrial and commercial development in and around Ridgefield. These large employment centers generate significant utility demand and planning work concluded that the existing City of Ridgefield sewer treatment plant (RTP) was not a cost-effective option for sewer treatment. The Salmon Creek Treatment Plant (SCTP) was identified as the preferred option as it would offer reliable, low-cost wastewater treatment capacity to meet those needs. Planning work concluded that all wastewater from the City of Ridgefield needs to be directed away from the RTP and the RTP decommissioned.
There are also environmental and community considerations. RTP currently discharges treated effluent into Lake River, a water quality-impaired side channel that flows into the Columbia River. SCTP discharges into the Columbia River, which is substantially larger, faster, and deeper, allowing proper mixing of treated effluent. Redirecting treated effluent to SCTP would serve as an investment in the long-term health of Lake River. Doing so would also support the Port of Ridgefield’s Waterfront Park Development project.
A program of sewer projects was developed as part of the 2017 General Sewer Plan Update to redirect sewer flow to SCTP. A sewer transmission system, referred to as the Discovery Corridor Wastewater Transmission System was constructed in 2017 to transport sewer from the City of Ridgefield to the central sewer service system that then conveys it onto SCTP.
The first phase of improvements to redirect wastewater to the Discovery Corridor Wastewater Transmission System involves upgrading the existing Gee Creek Meadows pump station system, constructing a new pump station named Gee Creek Plateau, and installing approximately 1.3 miles of pressure sewer, some of which will be located in Pioneer Street. This first phase will redirect wastewater from approximately 850 residential and commercial customers.
Future phases of the Ridgefield Sewer Redirection Project will focus on redirecting flows from the central and downtown Ridgefield area. Upon redirection of all Ridgefield flow and decommissioning of the RTP, the Gee Creek Meadows and Gee Creek Plateau facilities will serve over 2,000 customers.
Sewer service will be maintained during construction.
If you would like to receive updates on the project, please sign up for project updates at the bottom of this website.
Schedule
The overall schedule of the project will be as follows.
Construction Impacts
Construction methods to install the pressure sewer are being developed but will generally use open-cut excavation methods, which consists of digging a trench, laying pipe, and backfilling. Careful planning is taking place to minimize impacts to the traveling public.
Sewer service will be maintained during construction.
Funding
The District has received $9.3 million in low-interest funding from the Washington State Public Works Board. The funding is in the form of a low-interest loan that is estimated to save District ratepayers $0.5M over conventional funding. The loan and the balance of project costs will be funded by both system development charge revenue, which is collected from new development and rates. Learn more about infrastructure loan programs at https://www.commerce.wa.gov/pwb.
Project Sign-Up
Sign up for project updates below:
"*" indicates required fields
