CITY OF RENTON WASHINGTON

The Kennydale Fall FAQs - Easements was mailed to adjacent properties on October 25, 2024

Property Easements

What is an easement? 

An easement is a property right that allows a person or entity to use another person’s property for a specific purpose. It does not grant ownership of the land, but rather a right to use property only in the ways described in the easement. In this case, the easement will allow the city to relocate,

operate, maintain, and repair a new sewer system. This will ensure continued sewer service for you and the Kennydale community. Not all properties have existing easements for the operation and maintenance of the current Lakeline system. Updates to these easements reflect the new

system and its access needs. The updated easements will provide clearer rights to protect both property owners and the city. 

 

Why does the city need access to my property?

The city needs access to your property to conduct work related to the new sewer system. An

easement is the legal document that allows the city access to your property. Easement documents that have gone out to property owners are considered “blanket” easements that cover the entire property but allow for access by the city only for reasons related to the new sewer line including a) minor adjustments during construction, b) modifications in the future should the homeowner desire to make changes to how they use their property (an addition to the home that conflicts with the new system is a good example), and c) during an emergency. This work includes documenting

existing conditions of your property. Once the new sewer line is installed, the city will also need

access if a pump needs repairs or maintenance. City staff will only enter your property after

providing advance notice, except in the event of an emergency. The city intends to provide as much advance notice as is practical before performing regular maintenance on the new system. However, there may be situations where fast action is required to make urgent repairs to prevent property damage or address an immediate health concern. 

 

How often will the city need access to my property? 

The city’s anticipated routine maintenance and inspection schedule will require about two visits per year. For each visit, the city will provide a minimum of 24-hour notice prior to entry for regular maintenance.

 

What is the process for reviewing the easements needed for this project? 

The city has provided easement documents to each property. Every homeowner will have a chance to review these documents. The city will reimburse homeowners up to $750 for an independent legal review of the easement if that is of interest. The City of Renton’s project team has been meeting with individual homeowners this summer and fall to discuss the new documents and answer questions. After property owners have met with the project team and completed their review, a signed and notarized easement document needs to be returned to the city so it can be recorded with King County. The city needs all easement agreements in place by December 31, 2024. This deadline is crucial to keep the permitting process on track and allow necessary access to obtain information for final design. 

 

What happens if I do not sign the easement?

The Lakeline sewer system is failing and poses a serious risk to your property and the environment.  A major breakdown could occur at any time, leading to sewage backups, service disruptions, and potential environmental damage to Lake Washington. All 57 homes and Kennydale Beach Park would be without sewer service for months until the repair is completed. Lack of sewer service would render your property uninhabitable until repairs could be made. 

To prevent this, the city intends to construct a new system funded by the city’s Wastewater Utility rates charged to customers. This project will secure sewer service for your home, provide ease of maintenance, and reduce potential environmental damage to Lake Washington. Because of the risks associated with the existing Lakeline sewer condition and potential consequences, completion of this project promptly is absolutely necessary.

If you don’t sign the easement, we cannot install the new system on your property. The city intends to decommission the old Lakeline system shortly after completing the construction of the new grinder pump system. This means you’ll lose sewer service when the old system is shut down, making your home uninhabitable. You would then be responsible for connecting to the new system later.

 

Grinder Pump System Overview

Who will be responsible for the grinder pump station? 

The city will own, operate, and maintain the grinder pump system, including pump stations on private property. The city is responsible for preventative maintenance, planned corrective maintenance, and 24 hour/day emergency maintenance. 

 

How will the grinder pump be powered? 

The system will connect to external power provided by the city’s new centralized electrical system. This power system will include a dedicated backup generator for this pump system.

 

What happens if the grinder pump serving my property fails?

Control panels will monitor the individual grinder pumps for any issues, and a warning light, audible alarm, and an automatic cellular alert will notify the affected property owner, city staff, and

maintenance providers of any issues. We are evaluating response times but anticipate a response within 4 hours of notification.

 

Where will the systems be installed in my yard?

The location of grinder pump systems will vary by property and the location of the existing side sewer connection point. A schematic layout of the system was provided in the easement package prepared for each property. We have been meeting with property owners to answer questions, discuss

easement needs, and gather feedback on the layout where we have some flexibility in location. Our goal is to incorporate feedback on preferred location where possible.

 

How is the size of the pump station calculated?

The system is sized based on the size and number of bedrooms in the home. This ensures that changes in how many people are living in the house are accounted for. We also looked at historical water usage based on water meter data over the last three years. This analysis found that there is too much variation in use between individual properties (e.g., those with irrigation systems, filling hot tubs, plumbing leaks) for the data to be useful in sizing the stations. The permanent standby power generator means the pump stations do not need to store flows for extended periods as is needed for other systems (like those that do not have backup power). The backup power and prompt emergency response allows for smaller stations to be installed, leading to less impact on each property. The city is

responsible for ensuring emergency storage is sufficient since the grinder pump and related system will be owned and maintained by the city.

 

How does the project improve sewer reliability at my property?

Many people think of the existing Lakeline sewer system as a traditional gravity system. However, it is actually a low-pressure system that relies on pumps at both ends of the Lakeline to function. In a power failure, city crews must bring a trailer-mounted generator to the site to ensure sewer service. The existing system also requires continuous flow from end to end to flush debris through the main. A blockage anywhere along the Lakeline could result in a loss of service to all properties as repairs to the existing systems could take months to design, permit, contract and access.

The new grinder pump system has many benefits compared to the old system. The new system will be supported by a dedicated central backup generator to ensure uninterrupted service to residents. It will not be located in the lake and it will have improved access. Also, with the new pump system, if one pump goes offline for any reason it will not impact sewer service at other residences in the system.

 

What if everyone is using their pump station at the same time? 

 

The system is designed to have multiple pumps running at the same time. The storage of each grinder pump station ensures that at least 70 gallons of water (or 43 standard toilet flushes) provide uninterrupted service to each home, even during Super Bowl halftime when use is at a peak.

Repair and Maintenance

What happens when the power goes out? 

If power fails, the electrical system has an automatic transfer switch that will turn on the backup generator. The backup power generator can be refueled by city maintenance staff as necessary for continued operation. 

 

What happens if my or my neighbor’s pump has a problem? 

An audible and visual alarm at the control panel will notify residents of any issues. At the same time, an automatic cellular alert will notify the city and maintenance staff so they can respond to the problem. To expedite repair, failed parts will be replaced with further investigation performed off site.  The grinder pumps function independently, so single pump issues will not affect other homes that do not use the failed grinder pump.

 

What is the city’s standard level of service? 

The city currently provides uninterrupted sewer service to +19,000 customers through 235 miles of sewer main using 20 lift stations. For all of our customers, the city provides 24/7 emergency service including holidays, nighttime, and during extreme weather events. One of the 20 lift stations and a pump station currently serve the properties impacted by this project. The goal of this project is to allow the city to continue to provide uninterrupted service. If the existing Lakeline fails, we will be unable to provide this service.

 

Who will make repairs if needed?

The city is responsible and will maintain all aspects of the system that fall under its ownership. 

 

How long will repairs take?

City wastewater operations staff are on call 24/7, on holidays, and during extreme weather events to respond to issues anywhere in our system. A typical repair for a grinder pump system involves a brief diagnostic followed by replacing a pump or electrical component. Further evaluation of the failure will occur offsite and after the system is back online. A technician will provide a same-day response to an alarm.

 

Noise and Property Impacts

 

What noise will I hear from the system?

The noise level of the pump is about 70 decibels – equal to the sound of an average washing machine. However, since the pumps are underground, most of the noise will be absorbed by the soil. The control panel has an alarm that can reach 93 decibels from two feet away – similar to the noise a lawnmower makes. When there is a system failure and the alarm goes off, there is a button at the bottom of the panel to silence the sound. Silencing the alarm will not affect the pump or alarm light.

Pumps will run an average of 10 to 30 minutes per day for single-family residential homes. They are designed to turn on and off throughout the day (20 to 40 times for a single-family home), for approximately one to two minutes each time. This will vary with water use — the more water you use, the more often the pump will turn on.

 

What will the grinder pump system look like? 

Grinder pumps are installed underground so that only the 2.5-foot diameter lid is visible. Landscaping in the surrounding area or decorative rocks on top of the lid can disguise or minimize the appearance of the lid. To maintain access for repairs and maintenance, lids cannot be covered up with permanent landscaping features. Depending on property owner preferences, the control panel will be either mounted on a post near the grinder pump station or wall-mounted on the outside of the house like a utility box.

 

Restoration

Will this project also address drainage and pavement issues on Mountain View Avenue N. and the access road from Lake Washington Boulevard N.?

The city will repair areas impacted by the new system installation and will improve drainage wherever possible. Bigger stormwater fixes that may need new outfalls to the lake or special permitting may be deferred to a future project. You can submit specific requests to the city’s Surface Water Utility Engineering Division. 

 

Will the city restore my property after installing the grinder pump?

The city (“Grantee”) will restore each property as part of this project and is stated in the easement agreement as follows:  

“In the event private improvements in the Easement Area are disturbed or damaged by any of

Grantee’s activities described above, upon completion of such Work, Grantee shall restore the

improvements to a similar condition to that of the surrounding area, provided that such

restoration shall not interfere with Grantee’s intended use of the easement area.”

The Kennydale Fall Newsletter 2024 was mailed to adjacent properties on October 25, 2024

Fall 2024

Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System Improvement Project

Kennydale Lakeline Sewer Improvement Project Fall Update

Dear Kennydale Resident,

We hope you enjoyed your summer! Following our spring update, we are reaching out with the latest developments as we head into fall. We’ve been busy talking with you and your neighbors regarding easements for the past couple of months. We truly appreciate your time in meeting with us, sharing your concerns, and your patience as we work through the details. 

I would like to extend a special thank you to all that have returned their easement after meeting with our team.  We appreciate your understanding of the project’s urgency and the trust you have placed in the city.

For those who have not returned their easement, we look forward to meeting with you very soon! Our goal is to have all easements recorded by December 31. 

We understand you may have questions throughout this process. Common questions about easements can be answered in the attached Frequently Asked Questions. While this resource is specific to easements, you can find past FAQs covering different topics on our project website: rentonwa.gov/kennydalelakeline

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact project engineer Anousheh Nawaz via email at [email protected] or call (425) 757-9156. We will share more information as the final design moves forward in the coming months.

Sincerely,

Martin Pastucha

Public Works Department Administrator

rentonwa.gov/kennydalelakeline

Open House Presentation from July 16, 2024.

Open House Invitation, mailed to adjacent properties on July 1, 2024

July 2024

Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System Improvement Project

Open House Invitation

Dear Kennydale resident,

The final design stages for the Kennydale Lakeline Sewer Improvement Project have begun, and we’d like to invite you and your neighbors to an open house to discuss the project in more detail. The open house will be hosted at Kennydale Elementary School (1700 NE 28th St., Renton, Washington 98056) on Tuesday, July 16, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

At the event you will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about the project, upcoming easement coordination, and what’s happening next.
• Ask project staff questions.
• See grinder pump equipment and components.

We’ll have opening remarks around 6:15 p.m., but you can stop by our open house anytime. We hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Martin Pastucha

Public Works Department Administrator

rentonwa.gov/kennydalelakeline

Do you have questions about the project or need an interpreter?

Contact Anousheh Nawaz by emailing [email protected] or calling 425-757-9156.

Project Letter #6, mailed to adjacent properties on May 24, 2024

Spring 2024

Kennydale Lakeline Sewer Improvement Project

Project update

Dear Kennydale Resident,

We hope you’re doing well. Earlier this year, the City of Renton’s design team began the final design phase for the Kennydale Lakeline Sewer Improvement Project. The final design phase is expected to last through 2025, with construction tentatively planned to start in 2026. 

In this phase, the project team will finalize project designs and conduct fieldwork in the public right of-way. Fieldwork may include surveying to collect land measurements, geotechnical drilling to explore underground soil conditions, and other work, as needed, to better understand the existing environments where improvements will be made.

As we progress with design work, project team members, including the city’s Right-of-Way consultant, LaBonde Land, Inc., will contact residents to discuss project plans, explain new or amended easement needs on the property, and answer any questions.

The Kennydale Lakeline Sewer Improvement Project is critical to ensuring the long-term durability and function of your home’s sewer system. The city will host an open house in the coming months to answer questions about the project and demonstrate how the grinder pumps work. We want homeowners to continue to be active partners in this project. Once details have been finalized, you will receive an open house invitation.

If you have any questions about the project, please contact Anousheh Nawaz via email at [email protected] or phone at (425) 757-9156.

Sincerely,

Martin Pastucha

Public Works Department Administrator

rentonwa.gov/kennydalelakeline

Project Letter #5, mailed to adjacent properties on July 7, 2023

RE: Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System Improvement Project: Project update

We apologize for the extended pause in communications about the Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System Improvement Project. We appreciate your active participation in the project and hope that it will continue. Since you last heard from us, the city and design team have been busy researching questions and incorporating property owner feedback as appropriate, while advancing the design. 

The project has reached the preliminary (30%) design milestone and the city is reviewing the preliminary design plans, and cost estimates for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the new sewer system to replace the existing sewer system located in Lake Washington that serves your home. This is an important milestone that will allow us to further engage with you and other stakeholders in the project including Puget Sound Energy (PSE), King County, and state agencies that regulate work in or adjacent to Lake Washington.

We will continue to provide information and updates as the project progresses. This is a critical project to ensure the long-term viability and operability of a sewer system that serves your home, and we want homeowners to continue to be active partners in this project.

Please note that John Hobson has recently retired from the City of Renton. We are thankful for John’s leadership at the city and for his work on the project. Joe Stowell, Wastewater Utility Engineering Manager, is now the project manager. If you have questions about the project moving forward, please contact Joe by emailing [email protected] or (425) 430-7212.

Sincerely,

Martin Pastucha
Public Works Department Administrator

Project Letter #4, mailed to adjacent properties on January 10, 2022

RE: Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System Improvement Project: Property Owner Meetings and Project Update

In November 2021, the City of Renton’s design team held its first round of meetings with most of the property owners to discuss draft site plans for the new land-based sewer system that is currently proposed. The meetings allowed property owners to review and comment on their respective site plans during the early design stage. Several comment themes and questions were echoed amongst property owners over the course of the meetings. In order to provide the same level of information to everyone, common property owner questions and the responses from the city are provided below for your information. We recognize the list does not capture every question asked by property owners, as some questions were site-specific, and we are responding separately to these site-specific issues as we continue to work with neighbors on designs for individual properties. To ensure that we get feedback from all affected property owners, we will be conducting another round of individual property meetings for those property owners that could not schedule a meeting during the initial property visits. 

What is wrong with the existing Lakeline sewer system?

The existing Lakeline was constructed in 1971 and was constructed of 8-inch cement-lined cast iron pipe. Beginning in 2016 and continuing through 2018, the city and its consultants conducted the Kennydale Lakeline Assessment Project to evaluate the existing condition of the in-lake sewer system. Results from the assessment determined that the aging pipes (50+ years old) were nearing the end of their service life and requires replacement.

The city conducted a cleaning project in 2018 to address the immediate needs of the system by cleaning the in-lake sewer main and removing partial blockages. Due to the many bends in the sewer, the city was unable to clean and inspect approximately 20 percent of the Lakeline. Therefore, the conditions that caused these blockages remain, and the condition of those sections of pipe remain unknown.

The in-lake pipes appear to be degrading both from the inside and outside due to a combination of age and interaction of pipe material and the environment they are around. Because of the inability to readily access the Lakeline, a full blockage or failure of the Lakeline sewer system would result in interruption of all sewer service to Kennydale Lakefront homes until the emergency could be resolved. Because there would be no way to determine where the blockage was in the sewer, and the need to arrange for the necessary barges, divers, and specialty equipment to locate the blockage and make repairs, the existing system could be out of operation for several weeks or months. Should the sewer main corrode through or break, raw sewage could flow into Lake Washington causing an environmental emergency. The goal of the project is to address the deteriorating condition of the pipes and ensure construction of a new fully accessible sewer system before an incident occurs which can shut down the existing sewer system. 

Why is a land-based sewer system chosen to replace the existing in-lake sewer system?

In 2019, the city and its consultants began exploring options to replace the in-lake sewer service. Project alternatives included an in-lake gravity sewer beyond the existing private docks, an in-place replacement, or a land-based system using grinder pumps and a force main. The land-based sewer system was chosen based on the following criteria:

Current state and federal environmental permitting regulations require that an on-land option is pursued over in-lake options, if technically feasible. Grinder pumps are the only feasible land-based option and have far lower estimated costs ($7-10 million) than the in-lake alternatives ($25 million for in-place and $52 million for further into the lake). Septic tanks were not considered because King County and state regulations prohibit their use in shoreline areas. 

A land-based sewer system can be readily accessed for routine and emergency repairs. There are no environmental permits required to gain access and maintain this type of system.

An in-lake system cannot be readily accessed for routine or emergency repairs. To undertake only repairs or maintenance requires extensive permitting (from the Army Corps of Engineers, Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Native American Tribes, etc.) for any work in or near the lake. Some of these permits have a “fish window” which only allows work to take place between July 1 and September 30. In-lake work requires water-based equipment (barges and underwater manhole access caissons) and specialized personnel which takes time to arrange for and is very costly. In addition, annual maintenance of the Ballard Locks can restrict the ability to mobilize the necessary barges to get them to an in-lake sewer system. Much of the southern portion of the current lake-line is in water that is too shallow to allow a barge to get close enough to perform work on the sewer. The existing private docks extend far enough into the lake, and are in close enough proximity to each other, to prevent a barge from reaching much of an in-place sewer replacement.    


What is happening now?

We have begun designing the new land-based sewer system and grinder pumps. The project is still in the preliminary design phase and working towards the 30% design milestone.  At 30% design, the design concept will be further evaluated before being further refined in engineering detail and used to generate a more accurate cost estimate. Project impacts are still being determined on a property-by-property basis and have not been finalized. The project team held its first round of property owner meetings in November 2021 to collect feedback on the preliminary site plans, including siting of grinding pump stations and associated equipment. It’s important for the project team to hear feedback from property owners early in the design process so their input can be considered and incorporated before design decisions have been made. If you haven’t met with the project team yet, the second round of property owner meetings is anticipated be held in late January 2022 and early February 2022. 

Who is paying for the project?

The grinder pump system is different in terms of complexity and cost of construction per customer relative to the typical gravity sewer systems in Renton. The final cost of the project is being refined as design progresses and impacts are known. As of right now, the city intends to pay for the installation of the new sewer system and abandonment of the Lakeline through our Sewer capital improvement program. The cost of ongoing maintenance will be evaluated with completion of design. We are evaluating the best way to recover these additional costs with an understanding on the impact to the individual homeowner as well as other rate payers in the city. This will include conducting a financial analysis to evaluate how the project impacts the city’s monthly residential sewer rates.

How will the pump stations be sized?

Each individual pump station will be sized for year-round typical occupancy of a single-family home, regardless of current use or historical use in the past. The current plan is to install the largest pump station allowable based on each property’s site constraints. For most properties, this means a 231-gallon holding tank. A tank of this size will allow for normal usage for up to one day in case of a power outage.

How will the pump station be powered?

The current proposal is to power the grinder pumps utilizing power from the respective properties electrical service. This may be through a separate meter or through improvements to the existing service.

We are aware of concerns for pump station operations when power outages occur. Backup power schemes are currently being evaluated by the project team, with additional backup plans in case of a prolonged power outage. We will also be consulting with King County and Puget Sound Energy to identify ways to reduce power outages.

What are the homeowner’s responsibilities?

The city has heard concerns about the significant change to the existing sewer system. Maintenance options and monitoring systems are still being developed by the design team, which is typical in the early design process. Based on early feedback from homeowners, the design will include remote monitoring of the new land-based sewer system by the city, with additional monitoring support provided by homeowners (via on site alarm) as a backup to the remote monitoring. Once the project is fully designed, the city will have a better idea of the city’s responsibilities and the homeowner’s responsibilities. The city will provide that information to the homeowner as the design progresses and in advance of construction.

What is happening next?

The project team will continue to actively evaluate feedback from property owners and incorporate that feedback into individual draft site plans as feasible. We will continue to report on issues and questions raised by Lakeline neighbors in addition to responding to individual concerns and requests. The project team wants to meet with all property owners before reaching the 30% design milestone. If you haven’t met with the project team yet, the second round of property owner meetings is anticipated to be held in late January 2022 or early February 2022. You will be able to sign-up for a property owner meeting by visiting https://kennydalelakeline.participate.online/.

You can also email us at [email protected] to request a meeting. We will respond to your meeting request as soon as possible and will stay in touch with you to confirm the meeting date and time.  If you prefer an online meeting instead, that can be arranged as well.

We will continue to provide timely information and updates via email, our project website, and other outreach as the project progresses. This is a very important project to ensure the long-term viability and operability of the sewer system that services your home, and we want homeowners to be active partners in this project. If you have questions, would like to request an interpreter for the meeting, or need additional information before scheduling a property owner meeting, please contact the city’s project manager John Hobson, at [email protected]. 

Sincerely,

Martin Pastucha
Public Works Department Administrator

Project Letter #3, mailed to adjacent properties on October 5, 2021:

Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System Improvement Project: Property-Specific Grinder Pump Plan and Owner Meeting  

This letter is to notify you that the City of Renton’s design team is nearing completion on your property’s sewer design plan and would like to arrange a meeting with you to review it. This meeting will allow the City to present our proposed design for your particular property and provide you with an opportunity to review and comment on your respective site plan prior to its finalization.

Your property’s sewer plan will be sent to you prior to the meeting to give you time to formulate any questions or concerns that you may have with the proposed plan.

We would like to schedule an in-person meeting with you at your property between November 1 and November 12. To learn about the sewer systems and sign-up for an in-person property owner meeting, please visit kennydalelakeline.participate.online. Please sign-up for a property owner meeting by October 24. If you miss the sign-up window, you may receive a phone call or email requesting a meeting to discuss the project. 

You can also email us at [email protected] to request a meeting. We will respond to your meeting request as soon as possible and will stay in touch with you to confirm the meeting date and time. If you prefer an online meeting instead, that can be arranged as well.

If you have questions, would like to request an interpreter for the meeting, or need additional information before scheduling a property owner meeting, please contact me at [email protected]. 

Sincerely,

John Hobson

Project Manager
Wastewater Utility
425-430-7279

 

Project Letter #2, mailed to adjacent properties on May 20, 2021:

Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System Improvements Project

The City of Renton’s design team has completed the initial property visits to take photographs and get a general idea of how each homesite will be served by the new grinder pump sanitary sewer system.

The next phase of work will include on-site surveying to gather the necessary information to allow for the preparation of a personalized design for each property. The property-specific design will show where the proposed grinder pump station, control panel, electrical connection, and pressure line may be located. When the Design Team has completed each of the individual site-plans, we will coordinate a meeting with each property owner to review the proposed plan to make sure that it meets both the owner’s needs as well as the city’s. These meetings will take place sometime in the fall of this year. 

The Design Team’s surveyors, KPG, will begin the surveying on or about June 1, 2021. It is anticipated that it will take approximately 1 month to complete the survey work for the entire neighborhood. The estimated time to complete the survey of each property is between 4 and 8 hours.

The surveyors will contact each property owner prior to entering their property. Contact will be made by door-knocking and/or phone call. If you have specific concerns or requirements that need to be addressed prior to entry, please contact me at 425-430-7279 or at [email protected] and I will coordinate the surveyors site visit to meet your needs. 

For updates as this project progresses, please visit the City of Renton’s webpage at rentonwa.gov/Lakeline.

Sincerely,
 
John Hobson
Wastewater Utility Project Manager

Project Letter 1 mailed to adjacent properties January 11, 2021:

Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System Improvements Project

This letter is to notify you that the City of Renton is proceeding with the replacement of the Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System with a new land-based sewer system. The city team and the consultant will start field work for preliminary design of a new sewer system beginning the week of January 18. The survey crew will contact property owners in order to gain property access for survey purposes. Please note that we will follow all COVID-19 protocols during our site visits and will coordinate with you before we visit. Please contact me by phone at 425-430-7279 or by email at [email protected] if you have any questions.

BACKGROUND

As you may know, the City of Renton has been reviewing the condition of the aging Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System to determine the best solution for providing long-term sewer service to your property. The Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System was constructed in 1972 to provide sanitary sewer service to the lakefront homes along Lake Washington from the north end of Coulon Beach Park to the south end of what was Barbee Mill, and is now a townhome development named after Barbee Mill.

From 2016-2018, the Wastewater Utility conducted an assessment of the Kennydale Lakeline, which included an attempt to clean and video inspect the entire system in 2018. Due to its location, varying water depth and the original construction methods used, we were only successful in cleaning and inspecting approximately 80 percent of the system.

The Wastewater Utility has also been actively engaged with a multi-agency workgroup that has been studying the problems associated with in-water sewer systems. Many of our neighboring communities have similar concerns about maintaining sewer mains that are under water.

As a result of the 2018 assessment, which included cleaning and inspection, our current participation in the in-water sewer workgroup and the historical attempts to maintain this system, the Wastewater Utility has reached the following conclusions:
1. The majority of this sewer system cannot be reached by land-based maintenance vehicles.
2. Approximately 250 feet of the southern portion of this system cannot be reached from land or water.  The main is so close to the shoreline that the water depth is inadequate to allow for water-based access and homes prevent access from land.
3. Approximately 840 feet of the system centered on the Kennydale Beach Park cannot be cleaned or inspected due to limited access, sags in the pipeline, and bends at pipe joints which prevent the passage of a video camera and jetter hose.
4. Debris, including failed portions of the existing cast-iron pipe’s cement lining, remain in the pipeline.
5. Due to the inability to rapidly access this system, any blockage that may occur within that portion of the pipeline that is located under the lake could take a long time to locate and clear.
6. Current environmental regulations and permitting highly discourage the use of in-water sewer systems.

Therefore, the Wastewater Utility has determined that the best solution to continue to serve the lake side homes and provide a sewer system that is maintainable is to construct a new system that is not located in the lake.

We have done our best to update our list of existing property owners along the lake. If you are a new resident or you have changed your contact information since we were in contact with you in 2018, please email me at [email protected] with your updated contact information so that we may keep you informed of the progress of this project.

For updates as this project progresses, please visit the City of Renton’s webpage at rentonwa.gov/lakeline.

Sincerely,
 
John Hobson
Wastewater Utility Project Manager