City of Lake Forest Park Sanitary Sewer System Expansion (2006-08)
There were 233 properties in the Lake Forest Park Sewer area that did not have sewer available at the beginning of the sanitary sewer system expansion project in 2006 (unsewered areas map). Homes on these properties required, or currently require, on-site wastewater systems (septic tanks) that, when not functioning properly, are hazardous to the environment and public health. In an effort to remedy this concern, the City of Lake Forest Park needed to expand its current sanitary sewer system.
In order to determine the best way to proceed, the City performed the following analysis:
- Identify the unsewered areas.
- Develop a preliminary cost analysis for extending sewers to the unsewered areas.
- Collect information at public open houses. During these meetings and hearings city staff, elected officials and citizens discussed funding of the project, regulations related to connections and fees that will be imposed.
- Determine a way to fund the sewer expansion without imposing a financial burden on Lake Forest Park sewer customers. To accomplish this, the City of Lake Forest Park was awarded a loan from the State Public Works Trust Fund for $4.6 million with a 0.5% interest rate and the City matched it with a contribution of $800,000.
- Conduct a rate study to ensure sufficient long range funding to preserve the sewer utility capital program, and provide for operation and maintenance funds. This was accomplished by replacing the Sewer Availability Charge with a On-Site Wastewater Excise Tax.
With the analysis completed and the procedures in place, the City Council proceeded with the sewer expansion project in 2006. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2008 and provide sanitary sewers to all of the unsewered properties.
Who Must Connect
Properties with functioning on-site septic systems will not be required to connect to the sewer system. However, the connection charge must be paid when the property changes ownership. In addition, all households with on-site wastewater systems that have public sewers available (as defined in the municipal code) will be required to secure an annual license and will be subject to an on-site wastewater excise tax. This too, can be deferred until the property changes ownership.
Properties that have sewer availability (within 100' of the property line) are required to pay the On-Site Wastewater Excise Tax for that availability and must connect to the sanitary sewer if their septic system fails according to Lake Forest Park Municipal Code (LFPMC) 13.08.
If you have questions about sanitary sewer expansion in Lake Forest Park contact Aaron Halverson with the Engineering Department at (206) 957-2836 or email at aaron@cityoflfp.com.
Maps and Connection Forms
The gravity and pressure connection packets below are for use by private property owners in Lake Forest Park to guide them through a connection to one of the three phases of the sanitary sewer expansion. Each property in the expansion areas can be served by either a pressure or gravity connection. If you do not know which type of connection you will require, call the Aaron Halverson with City of Lake Forest Park Engineering Department at (206) 957-2836 or email at aaron@cityoflfp.com.
Maps of each phase of the sanitary sewer expansion:
- Phase I* (Construction complete, sewer main is ready for connections)
- Phase II* (Under construction, will be complete by the end of May 2008)
- Phase III* (In the preliminary engineering stage, anticipated construction start Summer 2008 with anticipated completion by the end of 2008)
*The majority of the properties inside the orange boxes will have sewer availability when the project is complete. If you have questions about your sewer availabilty please call Aaron Halverson at (206) 957-2836 for email at aaron@cityoflfp.com.
Pressure Sewer Connection Forms
Each of the following forms is either required or useful when making a side sewer pressure connection. This packet may also be obtained at the Lake Forest Park City Hall.
- Property Owner Checklist
- Sewer Expansion Pressure System Permit Application
- Requires Side Sewer Connection Charge and Sewer and a Pressure System Review
- Small Works Roster for Side Service Construction
- List of contractors that may install a grinder pump and side sewer connection.
- Environment One provides the grinder pumps that are to be used with pressure connections. The pumps may be purchased from:
- Correct Equipment Inc.
14576 NE 95th ST
Redmond, WA 98052
(425)869-1233
- Correct Equipment Inc.
- Coversheet for King County Recorder's Office
- Suggested for use when recording documents with the King County Recorder's Office
- Easement Agreement for Sewerage Facitlites
- This agreement allows the City or a contractor hired by the City to inspect, operate and mainatin on-site grinder pump sewerage facilities. This will be important in the case of a power failure as it will allow City employees to enter the property and operate the grinder pump.
- Report of Wastewater Tank Abandonment
- This form must be submitted to the Public Health Center prior to final inspection.
- On-Site Grinder Pump Specifications
- Supply these specifications to your contractor prior to installation
- Installation Instructions & Warranty Information the E/One GP 2010 Grinder Pumps
- Supply these instructions to your contractor prior to installation
Gravity Sewer Connection Forms
Each of the following forms is either required or useful when making a side sewer gravity connection. This packet may also be obtained at the Lake Forest Park City Hall.
- Property Owner Checklist for Gravity Sewer Connection
- Small Works Roster for Side Service Construction
- List of contractors that may install your side sewer connection.
- Sewer Expansion Gravity System Permit Application
- Requires Side Sewer Connection Charge and Sewer and Side Sewer Permit
- Report of Wastewater Tank Abandonment
- This form must be submitted to the Public Health Center prior to final inspection
Additional Information about Sanitary Sewers in Lake Forest Park
- On-Site Wastewater Excise Tax Replaces Sewer Availability Charge
- On-Site Pumping Systems Property Owners General Information
- On-Site Gravity System Property Owners General Information
- Frequently Asked Questions updated 3/26/07 [PDF]
- Map of All Unsewered Areas1/09/06n[PDF]
- Unsewered Area Analysis: Funding Assumptions 3/10/05[PDF]
- Ordinance 926 Sewer Rate Adjustment [PDF]
- Ordinance 927 Sewer Capital Replacement Fund[PDF]
- Open House - Presentation 3/1/05[PDF]
- Comment Sheet 3/1/05[PDF]
- Sewer Utility Rate Study Results- Presentation 2/17/05[PowerPoint®]
- Resolution 914: Financial provision for unsewered areas [PDF]
- Resolution 914: Attachment A: Financial Assumptions for the Provision of Sewer Service to Unsewered Areas[PDF]
If you would like to receive information about this topic via email, please send your email address to cityhall@ci.lake-forest-park.wa.us and note that you would like to be placed on the email list for “sewers”. If you prefer receiving information by postal mail, please call City Hall and leave your name and address to be put on the "Sewer Mailing List."
If you have questions about your property, status of constuction or the type of sewer connection you require, call Aaron Halverson at (206) 957-2836 or email at aaron@cityoflfp.com.
