The Clark Regional Wastewater District (District) recently hosted a ceremony to mark the successful completion of the first phase of the Discovery Corridor Wastewater Transmission System (DCWTS), which follows more than a decade of planning and over two years of construction.
DCWTS is a 20 year, multi-phase program to provide for the conveyance of wastewater from the Ridgefield Urban Growth Area to the Salmon Creek Wastewater Management System (SCWMS). Phase 1 of the project, which includes a new wastewater conveyance pipeline to connect Ridgefield’s Interstate 5 junction area to SCWMS, has been successfully completed on-schedule and on-budget. This $29 million investment is essential to supporting continued growth in the region. DCWTS increases Ridgefield’s wastewater capacity and enables economic development to occur, which is forecasted to bring thousands of new jobs to Ridgefield. This increased economic development will help the District continue to provide efficient, high-quality sewer service at an affordable cost for all ratepayers.
Speakers at the event shared their thoughts regarding the vision, leadership and cooperation amongst stakeholders, which have been an integral part of the successful completion of this momentous project.
When speaking of DCWTS, District Board Secretary Neil Kimsey acknowledges that “Projects of this scale and importance cannot be accomplished in isolation, but rather they require a coordinated effort at the local and state level.” He further commends the extensive leadership and partnerships that made this project possible, “The District would like to give special thanks to its partners that were an integral part in the success of this project. Organizations sharing the vision behind DCWTS and playing a critical role include Alliance partners, Cities of Battle Ground and Ridgefield, and Clark County along with the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Ecology, the Washington State Public Works Board, and former Senator Joe Zarelli.”
