BACKGROUND
For 45 years, the City of Redmond (City) has utilized the Effluent and Biosolids Complex, a 610-acre property to the northwest of the City to repurpose and discharge all of Redmond’s treated wastewater effluent and biosolids. The Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF), where the wastewater is initially treated, is located at the north end of the Dry Canyon.
The population of Redmond and surrounding areas have significantly grown since the last major WPCF Expansion in 2000. The population of Redmond and surrounding areas is expected to increase; as such, the need for an expansion of the treatment facilities is vital to serving growth.
The City plans to expand the 610-acre Effluent and Biosolids Disposal Complex and transition its operation to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly treatment alternative. As early as 1984, the Effluent and Biosolids Disposal Complex was identified as a preferred location with long-range opportunities to treat and dispose of wastewater while also offering sustainable development opportunities.
The City will be decommissioning the existing mechanical WPCF in the dry canyon and expanding all operations to 5801 NW Way, Redmond. In addition to the City’s 610-acre Effluent and Biosolids Disposal Complex, the city leases 35-acres from the Federal Bureau of Land Management, at the site where disinfected water is infiltrated into the ground.
The City is underway with the preliminary design phase of the development of the Redmond Wetlands Complex, with the final design expected to be completed in December 2022 and construction beginning in Spring 2023. The proposed Redmond Wetlands Complex will utilize ponds and wetlands that are engineered to treat wastewater.
Constructed wetlands are increasingly receiving national attention for wastewater treatment and reclamation. Constructed wetlands have proven to be a very effective method for the treatment of municipal wastewater. They are a sustainable, cost-effective treatment solution that is easily operated and maintained while supporting wetland habitat for birds and other wildlife and offering recreational and educational opportunities.