Black Diamond project topic for public meeting

A King County sewer project that officials say will help Black Diamond keep up with its population growth over the next 17 years will be explained during a public meeting next Tuesday.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Black Diamond Elementary School. The school is at 25314 Baker St. in Black Diamond.

The county and the city are working together on wastewater capacity for the community. The county’s plan includes building a storage facility near the existing county pump station by Jones Lake.

Four facility alternatives – one of which is expected to be chosen in late summer this year – are under consideration, according to the county. Officials will discuss them with citizens during the meeting Tuesday.

Additional information about the project is available at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/projects/BlackDiamond and (206) 684-1235.

Black Diamond’s population is projected to be approximately 20,000 by 2025. As the regional wastewater treatment provider, “King County must add wastewater capacity in Black Diamond to protect public health and support the city’s plans for growth,” said Doug Marsano, a county spokesman.

The proposed new wastewater pump station “would equalize flows entering the pump station and reduce pressure on the downstream conveyance system as the city’s population increases,” Marsano said.

The county’s wastewater treatment program serves 17 cities, 17 sewer districts and more than 1.4 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. The regional clean-water agency now operated by King County has existed for more than 40 years and formerly was called Metro.

In a separate meeting May 15 at 7 p.m., the Black Diamond City Council will conduct a public hearing on the city’s proposed stormwater management program.