What is wastewater?

"Wastewater" refers to any water that needs cleaning after use. It includes water from dishwashing, laundry, baths and showers, toilets, commercial and industrial uses and countless other sources.

Where does the water come from?

Wastewater flowing to LOTT's central treatment plant currently comes from about 50,000 homes, apartments, and commercial/industrial connections in the cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater.

How much wastewater flows through the treatment plant?

About 13.5 million gallons of wastewater flows through the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant on an average day. During the wettest months, flows will average nearly 19 million gallons per day. During the highest rainfall periods, flows reach 22 million gallons per day. LOTT is permitted by the Department of Ecology to process up to 22 million gallons per day during the wettest months.

How is wastewater "treated"?

LOTT currently offers the most advanced level of wastewater treatment on Puget Sound. Both physical and biological processes are used to clean LOTT's wastewater as it moves through a series of cleaning stages:

• First, during primary treatment, solid material and its related pollutants are removed from the wastewater.
• Naturally present bacteria consume additional pollutants during secondary treatment.
• The third step is the removal of nitrogen from the water, to prevent the nitrogen from feeding excessive algae growth after the treated water is discharged.
• The fourth step is disinfection with ultraviolet light.
• A portion of the treated water (up to one million gallons per day) is being diverted to the Budd Inlet Reclaimed Water Plant for further (tertiary) filtration to meet Class A Reclaimed Water standards.
• The cleaned water, which is not diverted to the Reclaimed Water Plant, is discharged into Budd Inlet.

What about leftover solid material?

As the wastewater is cleaned, remaining solid material is removed. This material is then thickened, heated, and kept in warm tanks for a 30-day period to substantially reduce pathogens (unfriendly bacteria). An average of 50 wet tons of this solid material, or "sludge," is produced every day. When used as a fertilizer or soil amendment, the sludge is also known as "biosolids." LOTT's biosolids are trucked to locations where they are used to fertilize pasture land, forests, and dry-land wheat.

What is reclaimed water?

Reclaimed water is used water that has been cleaned to a high level so it can be beneficially reused. Under Washington State law, reclaimed water is considered a new, basic water supply, similar to surface water or groundwater supplies. The State Departments of Health and Ecology define four classes of reclaimed water – A, B, C, and D. The LOTT Alliance is producing only Class A Reclaimed Water, the highest quality.

Why is lott producing reclaimed water?

LOTT's decision to begin producing Class A Reclaimed Water was the result of public opinion expressed during LOTT's long-range planning process. Citizens told us we can't afford to waste drinking water any more, and that we should manage wastewater as a resource. Our groundwater supply is not infinite,and our communities are beginning to feel water supply pressures. Cleaning and restoring our water to productive use is the responsible thing to do, and will preserve the highest quality drinking water supplies for uses that require that quality.

What will reclaimed water be used for?

Class A Reclaimed Water is safe for public contact and suitable for almost all uses except drinking. It can be used for irrigation of landscapes, parks, and golf courses. It is also commonly used for street washing, dust suppression, decorative ponds and fountains, and commercial and industrial processes. Class A Reclaimed Water can also provide environmental benefits such as streamflow augmentation, wetland enhancement, and groundwater recharge.

What is green power?

Green Power is electricity generated from renewable, non-polluting resources such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydrogen/fuel cells, and wave or tidal action. Because Green Power comes from sources that never run out, like the wind and the sun, renewable energy is limitless. Green Power is also clean and does not add pollution to the atmosphere.

Why does lott utilize 100% green power?

One of the primary public values identified during development of LOTT's Wastewater Resource Management Plan is to "maximize benefits to the environment." Green Power represents a viable avenue for LOTT to contribute to the development of renewable, non-polluting energy sources, thereby maximizing benefits to the environment.

How can I learn more about LOTT?

In addition to the information contained in this website, the LOTT Alliance holds Board Business meetings on the second Wednesday of each month and Board Work Sessions on the fourth Wednesday as needed, and welcomes citizen attendance. Click here to view meeting agendas.