Regional utility LOTT reports strong performance, outlines reclaimed-water limits and future needs

LOTT Executive Director Matthew Kennelly told the Lacey City Council on June 24 that the regional wastewater utility serving Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County is meeting discharge permits, has cut energy use and is expanding reclaimed-water use — but that most reclaimed water available to Lacey is committed to water-rights mitigation.

The presentation, given to the City of Lacey during a regular work session, summarized LOTT’s treatment capacity, recent upgrades and community reuse projects and was followed by a separate city presentation on Lacey’s newly drafted reclaimed-water plan.

Kennelly said LOTT treats roughly 13,000,000 gallons per day at its Budd Inlet treatment plant in downtown Olympia and that the utility “is your wastewater utility.” He noted the utility tests about 23,000 samples a year, treated roughly 4,460,000,000 gallons last year, and said the utility has the highest level of treatment on Puget Sound. Kennelly added that the Martin Way reclaimed-water plant produces about 1.5 million gallons per day of Class A reclaimed water and that more than 180,000,000 gallons were delivered last year to Woodland Creek recharge sites for groundwater infiltration.

Why it matters: Lacey’s reclaimed-water supply and LOTT’s capital plans determine whether reclaimed water can be used for irrigation, parks or other local uses now or in the future. City staff said most of Lacey’s current allotment must be infiltrated to satisfy mitigation required by water-rights permits, limiting near-term reuse for parks or city landscaping.

Key facts and planning details

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