SULTAN—Federal, state, and local officials celebrated on September 24 the completion of upgrades to the City of Sultan’s Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 30403 U.S. Highway 2. The upgrades facilitate the long-term growth of Sultan and ensure that Sultan’s wastewater is properly treated before being discharged into the Sultan River.
“As the largest capital project ever undertaken by the City of Sultan, we could not have done it without the support of the Department of Ecology and our Congressional delegation,” said Sultan Mayor Russell Wiita at the Wastewater Treatment Plant site ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This facility now stands ready to serve our community for decades to come, ensuring clean water, operational efficiency, and capacity for Sultan’s future.”
The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) funding comes from the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill that was signed by President Joe Biden in December of 2022. Funding for the project included a $3 million federal appropriation secured by Sultan’s congressional delegation, with the remaining costs financed through a low interest Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan from the Washington State Department of Ecology.
“Investing in aging infrastructure like wastewater treatment plants is not only critical for promoting long-term growth in rural areas but also protecting public health, the environment, and our precious water resources,” Senator Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), member of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee, provided in a statement to the Lynnwood Times. “I’m impressed by the City’s commitment to meeting the needs of its community while also being great stewards of the Sultan and Skykomish Rivers. Sultan’s residents will enjoy the benefits of these improvements for years to come.”
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) helped secure $1 million that will go toward much-needed upgrades for Sultan’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is in addition to a total of $11 million that Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) secured in 2023 for the city’s new Water Treatment Plant, which the city plans to open in 2026 to improve its capacity to deliver clean drinking water to Sultan residents and businesses.
The last upgrades to Sultan’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, originally built in 1990s, was in 2018 when it received two new “Ultrasonic Level Sensors,” and a ‘Screw Pump Repair” to keep the plant functioning. Later that year, the Plant’s centrifuge stopped working entirely and an emergency repair had to be made. It was this emergency that caused the City to take a deeper look into the need to upgrade the facility, and the impact Sultan’s continued growth is having in general.
Nate Morgan, Public Works Director for the City of Sultan, informed the Lynnwood Times back in 2023 that the City has been working “back and forth” between the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to get the WWTP’s upgrade plans approved.
Additionally, during 2021, the City bumped above 85% its permit limit monthly, and the Department of Ecology requires cities to start planning a Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade once a plant reaches 85% of its capacity limit. The city said the upgrade will also ensure the continued safe and swift processing of Sultan wastewater considering its recent increasing population.
The upgrades nearly double the plant’s treatment capacity and add critical system redundancy. Improvements include a new oxidation ditch, secondary clarifier, and an upgraded biosolids handling facility. These enhancements will ensure reliable, efficient service for Sultan residents for decades to come, the City says.
Notable attendees for the included Sultan City Councilmembers, State Senator Keith Goehner (R-LD12); State Representative and County Councilmember Sam Low (R-Lake Stevens); and representatives from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene, U.S. Representative Kim Schrier; and County Executive Dave Somers, along with community members and city staff.
Author: Mario Lotmore
2 Responses
Taxpayer funded and developers benefited. Sultan has a history of ‘deals’ that benefit the developers and add cost increases and burdens to the residents. Don’t even think of moving here – you will be stuck in traffic !
Completely agree because I am resident of Sultan and I am 100% with you.