T. Gorton: “Today I join Senator Murray from Washington State in introducing legislation that will authorize the Bureau of…”

“Today I join Senator Murray from Washington State in introducing legislation that will authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to develop a water reuse project with Lakehaven Utility District in Federal Way, WA. The Lakehaven Utility District is one of Washington State's largest water and sewer utilities, providing 10.5 million gallons of water a day to over 100,000 residents in South King County. The utility depends on a groundwater supply system that is replenished by local precipitation. As development in this Seattle suburb has increased, aquifer recharge has diminished. The utility district recognizes it must protect its precious resources and has undertaken several projects to ensure it will have an adequate water supply for future generations. One of these projects involves extensive treatment of the utilities effluent for reuse. Some of the treated water will be used to irrigate golf courses and other facilities, while the rest of the water will be returned to the aquifer through injection wells. The techniques for water reuse are innovative, yet proven, and have been implemented throughout Nevada and California. Currently, the Lakehaven Utility District discharges 6 million gallons of treated water into Puget Sound every day. This new program will allow the district to reuse these crucial resources while replenishing its precious groundwater supply.”