3 minutes
Key PointsIn the unfolding chronicle of the Fall City Wastewater initiative, 2024 stands as a watershed moment, symbolizing a momentous stride in its developmental trajectory. Recent strides have propelled the project into the construction advertisement phase, with the contract now open for competitive bidding within the construction industry.
This substantial headway culminates protracted advocacy and synergistic efforts spanning numerous years, bringing together influential stakeholders such as King County, community collaborators, and Local Services. The project is poised to begin construction in the spring, heralding a transformative era for Fall City's historic business district.
Expressing enthusiasm for this pivotal juncture, Project Manager Jeff Wilson remarked, "Attaining this stage is exceptional. It embodies years of community collaboration, championing a project poised to elevate Fall City's historic business district significantly. Anticipation abounds for the positive metamorphosis expected in the forthcoming year."
Along the Snoqualmie River, Fall City boasts a storied history as a settlement, commercial nucleus, and transportation hub. The compact commercial enclave along State Route 202 hosts a plethora of locally-owned enterprises. Nonetheless, the Fall City Business District (FCBD) has grappled with challenges in managing residential and commercial sewage owing to lot constraints stemming from the construction of State Route 202 in the early 20th century.
Traditional on-site septic systems in the region proved troublesome as businesses encountered difficulties in maintaining or upgrading their existing systems. Following unsuccessful attempts to address wastewater concerns through conventional sewer methodologies, King County achieved success through the Large On-Site Sewage System (LOSS) program administered by the Washington State Department of Health.
This innovative approach empowered King County to devise a communal sewer system for the FCBD, treating effluent to standards approaching potable water quality. The system relies on a subsurface drain field for effluent disposal, presenting an economically viable and environmentally conscientious solution.
In 2023, King County attained several pivotal milestones, including the delivery of finalized design plans and specifications, successful permit applications, and the initiation of the bidding process for contractors.
The bidding window will close on January 9, with contract execution anticipated in February. Local Services envisions groundbreaking in March or April of 2024. As construction takes flight, the county anticipates project completion by late 2025 or early 2026, signaling a transformative epoch for Fall City and its community.
At long last, Fall City is poised to advance, and as the final town in the Snoqualmie Valley to modernize its sewage infrastructure, the prospect of rejuvenating the Downtown area beckons, aligning it with the progressive trajectory of the wider Valley.
