Heathfield pipe repair

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Project description

A crew member walks through the construction area behind the Heathfield Pump Station.

During maintenance work at the Heathfield Pump Station on Aug. 15, a valve being used to drain a 24-inch diameter force main suddenly closed. (A force main is a pressurized sewer pipe that typically uses pump(s) to move wastewater uphill.) This caused a surge in water pressure in the force main, causing it to break, sending wastewater into Vasa (Squibbs) Creek and Lake Sammamish. The force main pipe that was damaged on Aug. 15 was installed in 1983 and was not part of the 2022 upgrade project.

County crews and contractors quickly mobilized to repair the broken pipe and restore operations at the Heathfield Pump Station. Wastewater flows were transferred to the second force main, which was installed in the 2022 upgrade project. The pump station is currently operating with the single force main. Additional repairs to the damaged force main will be needed to ensure efficient and reliable service during the rainy season and beyond.

To expedite this emergency repair work, King County Wastewater Treatment Division is working with the City of Bellevue to obtain permits. The project team is also coordinating with a contractor to complete the repair work as soon as possible.

We will share the project schedule and potential impacts on this page once they are available. We also encourage you to sign up for email/text updates to stay informed.

Creek restoration and cleanup 

King County’s contractor has completed cleanup activities around the Heathfield Pump Station in Bellevue, adjacent roadways, and in Vasa Creek. Water quality tests returned to normal in August. Our sediment sample results show some bacteria is present in the creek sediment, which can be expected for an urban creek due to stormwater runoff pollution. Following guidance from Public Health – Seattle & King County, we have concluded that there is no remaining public health risk associated with the wastewater overflow in the creek, and no further cleanup is planned.

We coordinated with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the City of Bellevue regarding potential habitat impacts to the creek from the overflow. No concerns were identified, and no habitat restoration is proposed.

Consistent with direction from Public Health - Seattle & King County, beach closure signs around Vasa Park Resort were removed on Thursday, Aug. 22. Public Health advises caution when entering any urban creek or other water body, especially after heavy rainfall. Check King County’s Lake Swimming Bacteria page to learn more.