The purpose of Olympia’s Wastewater Utility is to protect public and environmental health by ensuring that wastewater is collected and conveyed to treatment and disposal facilities with minimal risk. 

Within Olympia and its urban growth area, the wastewater system consists of nearly 200 miles of gravity pipes, 27 pump stations and 1,500 STEP systems owned and maintained by the City; 4,000 privately owned and maintained onsite sewage systems; and regional collection and treatment facilities owned by the LOTT Alliance.  The way this wastewater system is planned and managed has a major impact on the City’s ability to accomplish its land use, environmental, economic development, and growth management goals.

On November 21, 2006, Council approved the Wastewater Management Plan which recommends that the City take a more proactive approach to planning and managing wastewater collection in Olympia, and established policies, programs, and capital projects to be carried out in the next six years.  On September 25, 2007, Council re-adopted the Plan with revisions that clarified the Plan's specific substantive requirements and established allowable exceptions to the prohibition on the use of onsite sewage systems within the City limits.

Plan Available: You can download our printer-friendly version (PDFs - see below) of the Wastewater Management Plan.  Copies of the Plan are also available on CD-Rom, contact us to request a copy.

Wastewater Management Plan - PDF Verison

Wastewater Plan Cover and Acknowledgements (39KB)
Table of Contents (46KB)
Wastewater Plan Summary (36KB)
Chapter 1 - Introduction (45KB)
Chapter 2 - Context and Trends (446KB)
Chapter 3 - Wastewater Management in North Thurston County (359KB)
Chapter 4 - Legal and Policy Framework (53KB)
Chapter 5 - Gravity Sewer System (1802KB)
Chapter 6 - STEP Systems (76KB)
Chapter 7 - Onsite Sewage Systems (731KB)
Chapter 8 - Alternative Technologies (144KB)
Chapter 9 - Wastewater Basin Characterization (3613KB)
Chapter 10 - Planning and Program Implementation (91KB)
Chapter 11 - Plan Direction and Methodology (41KB)
Chapter 12 - Gravity Sewer Program (918KB)
Chapter 13 - STEP System Program (106KB)
Chapter 14 - Onsite Sewage System Program (136KB)
Chapter 15 - Alternative Systems Program (33KB)
Chapter 16 - Planning and Program Implementation (86KB)
Chapter 17 - Summary of Plan (66KB)
Chapter 18 - Current and Proposed Utility Finance (68KB)
References Cited (27KB)
Attachments- WAC Requirements for Wastewater Plans (28KB)

Final Wastewater Plan Appendices

Table of Contents (11KB)
Appendix A - Financial Analysis (184KB)
Appendix B - SEPA Checklist (12KB)
Appendix C - System Information and Analysis (569KB)
Appendix D - Sewerage General Plan Implementing Agreement (1380KB)
Appendix E - Maps (4799KB)

For more information, contact:

• Eric Christensen, Water Resources Engineer
• Public Works Department
• Phone: (360) 570-3741, or E-mail
• Fax: (360) 753-8087

Need More Information? Contact the Public Works office.

• Physical Address: 924 7th Ave. SE, Suite A 
• Mailing Address:  PO Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507
• Download printer-friendly (PDF) directions to our office
• Hours:  Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except City-recognized holidays)
• Phone: (360) 753-8588
• TTY:    (360) 753-8270
• Email:  Public Works