Resource Recovery 2019 Year in Review

KING COUNTY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT DIVISION RECOVERY

THE VISION An innovative and resilient clean water enterprise revolutionizing the recovery of valuable resources for sustainable communities. RESOURCE Mission, Vision and Behaviors. . . . . . . . . . 1 RECOVERY Manager’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Strategic Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2019 Resource Recovery at a Glance 2019. . . . . 4 How We Approach Our Work . . . . . . . . . . . 5 YEAR IN REVIEW Knowledge Opens Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Equity and Social Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Performance with Impact. . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 2019 Program Highlights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 What the Future Holds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

RESOURCE RECOVERY We develop and manage programs that deliver products and services in support of the Wastewater Treatment Division’s vision. Together with our colleagues, Resource Recovery provides leadership around sustainability and the reuse of valuable resources such as nutrients, energy and water, while building pathways of innovation. OUR We bring valuable MISSION resources, technology and sound business practices together to deliver products and programs that inspire our communities to be part of an environmentally sustainable future—today. Integrity OUR OUR Transparent Diversity VALUES BEHAVIORS Accountable Service Collaborative Passion Respectful Innovation Curious Environment Sociable RESOURCE RECOVERY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW 1

MANAGER’S MESSAGE I am privileged to work for the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) and lucky to have a dedicated team with the moxie to challenge the status quo. I am particularly proud of the work Resource Recovery has done over the past year and I am grateful for the collaboration and support given to us by our colleagues. One of my top priorities was to build a strong team that had a well-defined mission and the commitment, skills and experience to strategically support WTD’s goals. Throughout the year, our team managed numerous projects that had a positive impact on the way we do business, communicate, embrace diversity, and how the communities we serve view wastewater. We know there is a lot of work ahead of us to build on this momentum, but it was because of the team’s commitment and the way Resource Recovery approached its work that we were able to achieve so much in 2019: from studying nutrient management, driving energy efficiency initiatives at the treatment plants, and implementing new sustainable construction standards, to supporting potential co-digestion, and investigating sewage heat recovery and the expansion of our biosolids products. As a leader in protecting water quality and public health, WTD plays a very important role in our region, and Resource Recovery is pleased to be part of shaping what that looks like. We will continue to be motivated by innovative thinking and the pursuit of solutions that help WTD to be environmentally, fiscally and socially sustainable. Sincerely, Rebecca Singer 2

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES TRANSFORMATION Remain committed to becoming better partners, more transparent communicators, and be recognized for credibility. We will lead with a customer-centric mindset and change how we work together as a team, enhance our professional development, and sharpen how we support WTD’s goals. Continue to champion forward-thinking that INNOVATION supports WTD’s e orts to maximize resources from wastewater and contribute to building healthier, more resilient communities for everyone. Resource Recovery will use sound business practices, test assumptions, and rely on science and fact-based experience to seek new opportunities for WTD. PERFORMANCE Ensure the paths we take align WTD goals and remain focused on outcomes. Resource Recovery will set realistic objectives and establish benchmarks to measure our work’s e ectiveness. We will report on those outcomes and adjust our performance accordingly. RESOURCE RECOVERY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW 3

RESOURCE RECOVERY AT A GLANCE 2019 5 435 43 34 YEARS OF EVENTS PROGRAMS COMBINED SPEAKING EXPERIENCE ENGAGEMENTS 24 TEAM 210 MEMBERS TRAININGS CUSTOMERS COLLABORATORS WTD Treatment Plants WTD Employees King Conservation District WTD Project Planning and Delivery WTD Environmental and WTD Environmental and Natural Selection Farms Community Services Community Services NW Biosolids Buttonwood Tree Farm Public Wastewater City of Tukwila WTD Finance Treatment Utilities Foster Golf Links Puget Sound Energy Lake Washington Youth Soccer WTD Industrial Waste Regional Water Systems Landscapers and Home Gardeners Section Snohomish Co. PUD with GroCo Compost University of Washington Local Farmers WTD Sustainability WA State Dept. of Ecology Recology Fleet Committee WA State Dept. of Health Regional Farmers WA State Dept. of Natural Seattle City Light King County Conservation Resources Starfire Sports District Washington State University Willow’s Run Golf Course Washington Water Trust King County Water and Land King County Green Building Water Research Foundation Resources Division Team West Lincoln 4 King County Solid Waste Division Boulder Park Inc. Campbell Global CitySoil Farm EnergySmart Industrial International Living Future Institute

HOW WE APPROACH OUR WORK COLLABORATION CREDIBILITY DEVELOPMENT Aim to first understand Use our Proactively the points of view of our collective skills seek personal and colleagues and customers, and abilities with professional growth, so we confidence and have the tools to become then work together to true intentions. our best selves, focus on develop solutions in the work that matters, RESPONSIBILITY and prepare for career a strategic and deliberate way. Fulfill our obligation advancement. to manage resources EQUITY e ectively by planning CURIOSITY well and acquiring insights Ensure the work to ensure we make sound, Be persistent we do and the fact-based decisions and innovators who outcomes we strive follow the governances seek what’s possible for consider the and challenge the most vulnerable in in place. our communities. status quo. RESOURCE RECOVERY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW 5

KNOWLEDGE OPENS DOORS Knowledge opens doors to 3 11 3,073 understanding and advocacy for the PEOPLE REACHED positive environmental and community EVENTS CLASSES impacts that harnessing resources from TAUGHT wastewater can have. We launched a Resource Recovery education and outreach initiative to develop and deliver curriculum and hands-on learning to students of all ages. Lessons about careers, sustainability and the science behind our biogas, recycled water and biosolids products were taught at local schools, community gardens, CitySoil Farm and in the classrooms at South Treatment Plant and the Brightwater Education Center. Throughout the year, we expanded our outreach efforts by engaging children and families at community events and job fairs throughout the region. 6

EQUITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE Along with our purposeful goals as a group to better understand cultural differences and embrace workplace diversity, it was 96% equally as important for Resource Recovery to participate with our colleagues across the division in helping to advance of Resource equity and social justice (ESJ). In 2019, we contributed to Recovery sta the development of an ESJ blueprint for recruitment and took ESJ training hiring, and helped build ESJ awareness and discussion tools for employees. We are proud of the work we accomplished together. in 2019 The goal of the ESJ Skills Resource Subcommittee is to The other 4% further educate WTD employees about ESJ by providing tools are new employees currently registered for 2020 classes. and resources that increase individual awareness and help guide dialogue among workgroups. To support this effort, the team designed and launched a new WTD blog called The ESJ Clarifier. The blog will have articles, videos, and activities for COHORTS PARTICIPATED employees wiOthTHreEgRulDaNr pRoPsts from committee members and guest contrDibIVuItSoIrOs.NS ASKED ON 31WTD TRAINED 25 The WTD ESJ SCeOleHcOtiRoTnS&THOiring Subcommittee trainedEaMnPdLOYEES WTD INTERVIEW empowered PaAcRoThIoCrItPoAfTEpeIoNple of color and Native AmVOeLriUcaNnTEERED PANELS heritage, who arHe InRoIwNGprepared to support WTD HumFaOnRRTeRsAouINrcIeNsG and hiring maInNaTgEeRrsVIwEiWthSESJ initiatives related to the selection and onboarding process. OTHER DNRP 31 W DIVISIONS ASKED EMPLOYEES WTD TRAINED VOLUNTEERED COHORTS TO FOR TRAINING PARTICIPATE IN HIRING INTERVIEWS RESOURCE RECOVERY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW 7

PERFORMANCE 88% 14 46 WTD CONSTRUCTION SUSTAINABILITY OTHER PROJECTS EARNED OUTREACH & KING COUNTY COUNTY PLATINUM TRAININGS RATING ATTENDEES 360 WTD ATTENDEES 8 11 13 TECHNOLOGY PILOTS RESEARCH EVALUATIONS PROJECTS 12 3 STUDIES UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS $330,500 $411,364 BIOSOLIDS-AGRICULTURE BIOSOLIDS-FORESTRY REVENUE REVENUE 124,967 WET TONS OF BIOSOLIDS DISTRIBUTED 8 2019 information represented is considered accurate at the time this report was published.

WITH IMPACT 15 MILLION kWh RENEWABLE $1.5 MILLION ELECTRICITY RENEWABLE SOLD ELECTRICITY 2.7 REVENUE 83 $67k 57 MILLION THERMS RECYCLED RENEWABLE MILLION GALLONS WATER ENERGY RECYCLED WATER REVENUE EFFICIENCY $4.4NATURAL GAS PROJECTS SOLD DISTRIBUTED INITIATED MILLION RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS REVENUE GROCO WITH LOOP COMMUNITY GARDENS 156 pickup-truck loads 16 community gardens 1.56 acres amended 2,808 pounds of food produced 234 days (family of four, 3-meals/day) 3,083 PEOPLE REACHED RESOURCE RECOVERY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW 9

2019 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS SUSTAINABILITY The year brought many opportunities for the Sustainability Program to provide leadership for WTD’s initiatives in support of the Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP), King County’s Green Building Ordinance, and the King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, including employee engagement and education, guidance on green building best practices, and the inclusion of equity and social justice (ESJ) on capital projects. We were excited to work with the division’s ESJ Committee to develop tailored ESJ credits for the WTD sustainability scorecard. This effort resulted in nine new ESJ credits ranging from how to assemble a diverse project team, to guidelines on developing project-specific ESJ plans and ensuring pro-equity sourcing. Our passion for supporting a sustainable WTD was unwavering, but we couldn’t do it alone. The WTD Sustainability Committee, a collective of colleagues from 15 different work groups across the division, met monthly to work on the sustainability needs (and wants) of WTD. The committee participated in the program’s strategic planning process, sponsored the two-week WTD Sustainability Challenge in honor of Earth Day, and helped launch the sustainability employee outreach and training series called Green WTD. We were also honored to be recognized by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for WTD’s efforts in partnership and engagement. 37 143 37 PROJECTS SUSTAINABILITY SUPPORTED FOR CONSTRUCTION SCORECARD SUSTAINABILITY AND DEMOLITION PROJECTS ANNUAL PLANS AND REPORTING 1 REPORTS EMPLOYEE 9 OUTREACH AND CAPITAL PROJECT TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM TRAININGS (GREEN WTD) 10

RECYCLED WATER King County’s recycled water comes from three WTD treatment facilities: Brightwater, Carnation and South Plant. It is distributed to several customers throughout the region for environmental projects and irrigation of farms and sporting fields. 2019 brought a number of opportunities for the Recycled Water Program. We continued our work on a master agreement that, when finalized, will outline terms for future service agreements with regional water systems that could expand the use of recycled water throughout King County. In early spring, we were excited to add a new customer to our roster. A small farm in the Sammamish Valley is using recycled water to irrigate a variety of crops including hay, hazelnuts, and pasture turf. The program continued its work on a collaborative research project initiated by Washington Water Trust and the University of Washington, along with partners from the Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Water and Land Resources Division and King County’s Local Food Initiative, to address concerns from some local farmers about recycled water irrigation on food crops. The team conducted a baseline test of Brightwater’s recycled water, Sammamish River, and Sammamish Valley groundwater to develop a comparative analysis that will help prepare us for building a crop demonstration to progressively test for contaminants. The project includes a local farm advisory team and farmers market outreach to share results of this research, educate on the benefits of recycled water, and address any community concerns. RESOURCE RECOVERY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW 11

ENERGY Approximately 54% of King County government’s total facility energy use comes from the wastewater treatment process, so it was important for us to continue our work supporting WTD’s initiatives to meet the energy efficiency goals of the Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP), and to contribute to WTD becoming a carbon neutral utility. To fully support WTD’s energy efficiency needs and create a more integrated and immersive approach to our work, we hired two energy engineers located at Brightwater and West Point who coordinate efforts related to the unique needs of each facility. After securing funding from revenue generated from selling WTD’s renewable natural gas, the Energy Program initiated a project to upgrade part of Brightwater’s aeration system to a technology called LEAPmbr. This upgrade improved the energy efficiency and decreased required maintenance. The success of this project was recognized by Snohomish County PUD, which awarded Brightwater a $350,000 performance-based financial incentive that will be used for additional reinvestment in WTD energy efficiency initiatives. Heat flowing under King County streets is an untapped source of renewable energy that would help our communities lower their carbon emissions. We explored sewage heat recovery projects, specifically agreements with private property owners, developers and utilities that wish to extract and recover the heat-energy contained in WTD’s conveyance (sewage transport) pipes. The Resource Recovery Research and Policy team worked with King County stakeholders, potential customers, and community collaborators, including the Seattle 2030 District, to gather input on the development of a boilerplate contract that WTD could sign with potential partners interested in building a sewage heat recovery project. A boilerplate contract would provide certainty for partners and allow WTD to execute agreements without a lengthy legislative process. In 2020, a draft contract will be submitted to the King County Council for their consideration. 12

TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT We investigate and rigorously assess technologies that support advancements in & INNOVATION WTD’s wastewater treatment process. In 2019, we continued our work to deliver fact-based recommendations, while providing research opportunities for graduate students through our fellowship program with the University of Washington (UW). Ahead of potential state mandates that may require reductions of nitrogen in wastewater, we began a nitrogen removal study to find appropriate and cost-effective alternatives for meeting a range of possible effluent limits at our largest treatment plants. The study is set to conclude in late 2020. We piloted an innovative nitrogen removal technology using granular aerobic sludge as part of a Water Environment Research Foundation/National Science Foundation grant. We also conducted preliminary testing of a new combined sewer overflow (CSO) treatment technology, called Ovivo Wet Weather Rapid Treatment, which uses silicone carbide membranes to treat raw sewage to a high-quality effluent during wet-weather flows. Together with our colleagues at West Point and WTD’s Project Planning and Delivery, we worked to build a baseline of knowledge in preparation for conducting pilot testing at West Point in 2020. With further development, this technology could potentially be used in the future to improve discharge (effluent) quality from WTD’s CSO treatment facilities. Together with the UW Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, King County helps the next generation of engineering leaders by providing them applied research opportunities that not only support their advanced educational goals, but allow them to influence potential innovation at WTD. The program funded two UW graduate students in 2019, who completed research and thesis work. Their individual research focused on 1) assessing excessive digester foaming and 2) bio-augmentation of aerobic granular sludge for nitrogen removal. Dennis Wise/University of Washington RESOURCE RECOVERY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW 13

BIOSOLIDS For over 40 years, foresters and farmers across Washington have used Loop® biosolids to enrich their soil. Today, the Resource Recovery Biosolids Program continues its legacy of using 100% of King County’s biosolids for beneficial use. Working forests are essential to growing the wood we use every day. Biosolids add a wide range of nutrients to soil that help trees grow bigger and stronger. In addition to benefiting trees, biosolids increase growth of plants on the forest floor. Despite taking more than a month off due to heavy snow and being down one applicator (two is normal), we were able to apply the most Loop biosolids to our forestry projects in over a decade. This year, King County’s revenue from the Washington State Department of Department of Natural Resources trust timber sales was over $400,000 and the line item in our private forest contract for nutrient value brought the County a credit of $60,000. Our agriculture projects in eastern Washington (Natural Selection Farms, West Lincoln, and Boulder Park) also had a successful year. Although the project sites received several feet of snow during the winter, our partners remained open for daily deliveries, ensuring we were able to maintain distribution. Farmers purchase Loop for approximately $28 per acre, compared to $35-plus per acre for synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. In addition to the economic value, they understand the many positive environmental and nutrient benefits of biosolids. The effectiveness of Loop continues to be supported by results from ongoing research by Washington State University. The university has conducted research on plots at the Boulder Park Project since 1994, making it one of the oldest biosolids-focused research projects in the country. As part of our continued outreach and education effort, we engaged our community in experience-learning through tours of our application sites at the Snoqualmie Tree Farm, Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ Markworth Forest, and Boulder Park. In 2019, we hosted over 125 people including forestry professionals, university students, high-schoolers, a resource recovery manager from New Zealand, and King County 14

continued BIOSOLIDS employees and interns from the Water and Land Resources Division, METRO Transit and WTD. In our effort to consider all possible opportunities for beneficial use of King County’s biosolids, we began the planning and design phases of the Loop compost pilot that will launch sometime in 2022. The project will include a temporary compost demonstration site at South Plant, where we will refine processes and test compost mixes. The pilot will provide proof of concept and business case outcomes for expanding the Loop product line and for building a permanent compost facility — an investment in our future that will strengthen the long-range resiliency of the Biosolids Program and ensure King County can continue to designate 100% of its biosolids for beneficial use. A retail Loop product would also allow us to continue our partnerships with organizations like King Conservation District to provide compost to local community gardens and to support seed programs that grow culturally relevant foods for immigrant and refugee communities. RESOURCE RECOVERY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW 15

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS Our natural environment is changing rapidly and, as the region’s population increases, we have the responsibility to address these shifts in positive ways for the communities and customers we serve. Whether expanding products and services, educating the public or supporting a sound, technologically advanced infrastructure, we should no longer look at wastewater treatment through a lens of simply cleaning what’s in the pipe. The future holds tremendous opportunity. Resource Recovery will continue to establish and strengthen partnerships for developing new products that contribute positive results and increased revenue. We will evolve our work to progressively build pathways of innovation that maximize resources for reuse to ensure sustainable communities for the generations that come after us. 16

THE TEAM Strategy Technology Assessment Recycled Water Program & Innovation Program Rebecca Singer, Manager Kristina Westbrook Shai Malone, Administration Bob Bucher Jacque Klug Elizabeth Lyon, Communications Pardi Sukapanpotharam Erika Kinno, Research and Policy Eron Jacobson Biosolids Sue Meyer, Sustainability and Energy Program Henry Campbell Innovation Tony Chiras Carl Grodnik Ashley Mihle Sustainability Program Nick Carew Jake Finlinson Shachi Thakur Ben Axt Heidi Sowell Dayana Friedman Cat Gowan Megan Torres James Jenkins Report Development/Project Management Elizabeth Lyon, Resource Recovery Communications Editing Kathy White, WTD Technical Writer Design/Production Wendy Gable Collins, KCIT Design and Civic Engagement RESOURCE RECOVERY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW 17

RECOVERY King County Wastewater Treatment Division 201 S Jackson Street, Suite 500 Seattle, WA 98104 206-477-5371 kingcounty.gov/resourcerecovery Harnessing valuable resources that would otherwise be lost.