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HistoryThe Water quality in Lake Stevens deteriorated beyond public acceptance during the summer of 1955 when a bloom of blue-green algae appeared along the western shore of the lake accompanied by an unpleasant odor. A pollution committee was formed to develop solutions for the deteriorating water quality. The committee concluded that the underlying strata of hardpan found in the lake's drainage basin made the on-site sewage disposal systems in the area of the lake ineffective, resulting in raw sewage discharge directly into the lake and tributary streams. The Sewer District was formed in 1957 as a collective effort to address degradation of water quality in Lake Stevens caused by ineffective on-site sewer systems. The District's first sewer collection and treatment system was constructed to serve the Frontier Village Complex and was financed and built by developers. This system was constructed in 1965. The initial treatment facility consisted of a 1.4 acre oxidation pond which is still used today in a modified form in the treatment process.
The City of Lake Stevens (City) entered a Joint Participation Contract with the District in 1970 to allow discharge of sewage to the District's collection and treatment system which was to be constructed as part of ULID 1. This contract defined the quantity and quality of the sewage to be discharged to the District. The contract has been subsequently revised and or amended in 1983, 1986, 1991 and 1996. A copy of the current Sewage Disposal Agreement between the District and the City is included in Appendix A.
ULID 3 was formed in 1980 to serve the east side of the
lake south of the City of Lake Stevens. The construction
of this ULID nearly completed the collection system
coverage of the perimeter of the lake. In the early 1990's, ULID 7 & 8 were formed west of the lake. Both of these ULIDs serve the eastern corridor of State Route 9, between 4th Street Northeast and 12th Place Southeast.
Lift Station 12 was constructed and placed on-line in
the spring of 1998. This allowed service for the
southern portions of the Lake Stevens drainage basin, on
both the east and west sides. This project was funded by
the District though a combination of revenue bonds and a
Public Works Trust Fund loan.
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Lake Stevens Sewer District |
In 1971, the District expanded it's collection system
through Utility Local Improvement Districts (ULID) 1 and
2. These projects were constructed with the aid of EPA
funding. ULID 1 follows the lake shoreline and extends
from the southern tip of the lake to the northwesterly
shore. The City of Lake Stevens discards its wastewater
into the District's facilities at the northern portion
of this ULID system. ULID 2 provides collection service
along the corridor of 91st Avenue Northeast (Hillcrest
Drive), from Vernon Road to 11th Place Southeast. The
District's first wastewater treatment plant expansion
was also constructed at that time. The plant expansion
included the addition of an 8.5 acre lagoon cell to be
used in parallel with the existing 1.4 acre cell.