This summer, the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) announced the City of North Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was honored with the Wastewater Treatment Plant Outstanding Performance Award. 

Of approximately 300 wastewater treatment plants statewide, North Bend’s plant was among the top treatment plant operations in 2024. DOE staff evaluated plants for compliance by regularly meeting permit criteria, conducting monitoring and reporting data. 

Mayor Mary Miller commented, “We are proud to receive this recognition. We attribute it to North Bend’s dedicated wastewater treatment team, whose passion, professionalism and daily commitment to water quality protection set the standard for excellence.”

WWTP Manager, Susan Welland, agreed. “I am incredibly proud of this entire team and their commitment to safeguarding the health of the Snoqualmie River system. We treat every drop with care to protect this community's most vital natural resource.”

Washington State DOE Water Quality Program Manager Joe Kenning commented, “Ecology acknowledges the exceptional level of effort required to protect water quality and provide this critical service to the communities you serve. Dedicated and proficient operators are essential to successful plant operations and to protecting the health of Washington’s waters.”

North Bend Public Works Director Mark Rigos commented, "I want to congratulate our city employees who work so hard to ensure the City's sewer system and wastewater treatment plant are meeting State public health requirements.  Additionally, I want to thank our current and past City Councilmembers for their support in allowing the City to build a modernized treatment plant, that is more energy efficient, simpler to maintain, and safer for our employees."

In 2024, the City of North Bend celebrated the completion of its largest ever capital project, WWTP High Priority Improvements. Wastewater treatment facilities are essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem, preventing disease, and ensuring safe water for our community. Improvements to North Bend’s facility include:

• A new headworks
• A second oxidation ditch
• Two clarifiers
• A new UV/electrical building
• A new aerobic digester
• A new screw press
• Safety improvements and underground piping

These improvements also add the ability to take additional capacity, such as the Meadowbrook Sewer Utility Local Improvement District, a ULID that will expand public sewer throughout the western portion of the City. Approximately 80 percent of residents are currently connected to the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), with about 20 percent remaining on private septic drain fields.

Pictured here: WWTP team members, including (from left), Operator Craig Jess, Operator Bobby Spurgeon, Lead Operator James Monroe, Manager Susan Welland, City Engineer Don DeBerg, Operator Tom Glenn, Public Works Director Mark Rigos, Public Works Maintenance Supervisor/Parks Lead Technician Mark Pray, IT Manager Phil Davenport, Public Works Deputy Director Tom Mohr and Operator 1 Jeff Barber