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Council ratifies emergency declaration after King County finds leaking Eastside interceptor that could discharge into Lake Washington
Summary
King County traced elevated bacteria to a leak in the 84-inch Eastside interceptor under the Cross Kirkland Corridor and sought the city’s emergency permitting exemption. Council ratified the emergency proclamation; county plans an above‑ground bypass, 24‑hour pumps and a two‑week full CKC trail closure followed by partial reopening.
Kirkland City Council on Sept. 16 ratified a city manager emergency proclamation after King County engineers identified a structural problem and leakage in the Eastside interceptor — an 84‑inch wastewater interceptor that runs beneath the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) and conveys wastewater to Renton.
City Manager Kurt Triplett told council he had signed the emergency declaration late the night before so response work could proceed. “I also, late last night, signed a declaration of emergency for the city,” Triplett said during the meeting.
Why it matters: The Eastside interceptor handles millions of gallons per day for multiple jurisdictions. County and city engineers said a pipe failure could cause uncontrolled wastewater overflow into the Houghton B‑1 Stream and then to Lake Washington, with high environmental and public‑health consequences.
What King County and city staff said: Deputy Public Works Director Sarah Olson led the presentation. City water‑quality…
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