W2.13 Combined sewer
Separate combined sewer and stormwater system. Start with feasibility study and follow through on findings.
According to the City’s 2019 Wastewater Management Plan, 56% of Olympia’s Central Wastewater Basin downtown is a combined system; so are 8% of the East Basin, 16% of the Northeast Basin, and 3% of the Southeast Basin. The plan says separation is not a utility priority, although it may become one if the increased winter rain that’s expected as a result of climate change threatens to overwhelm the capacity of the system. The plan does call for collaborating with LOTT to separate combined wastewater/stormwater pipes in conjunction with stormwater and road improvements or residential repairs, when economically feasible.