KPUD & KCSD7 Partner to Improve Wastewater Operations and Protect Puget Sound
Over the past several months, Kitsap Public Utility District (KPUD) and Kitsap County Sewer District 7 (KCSD7) have worked together to strengthen operations at the Fort Ward Wastewater Treatment Facility on Bainbridge Island – an important step in reducing the amount of Total Inorganic Nitrogen released into Puget Sound from effluent.
Excess nitrogen is one of the major contributors to declining water quality throughout Puget Sound. When too much of it enters marine waters, it can fuel algae growth and reduce oxygen levels, making it harder for fish and other marine life to survive. Improving how local treatment plants manage and remove nitrogen is a key part of Washington State’s larger strategy to restore the health of Puget Sound.
This week, representatives from the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) visited the Fort Ward facility to tour the site and learn more about the joint effort. The visit provided an opportunity for DOE staff to see firsthand how KCSD7 and KPUD are working together to optimize treatment processes, identify near-term operational improvements, and plan for long-term upgrades that support nutrient reduction.
For both agencies, the partnership is about doing what’s right for the community and the environment. This collaboration positions the facility for stronger, more sustainable operations that help protect the health of our waters for generations to come.