W1.4 Gravity sewer
Study the energy efficiency and cost impacts of gravity sewers versus STEP systems. As needed, introduce programs, regulations, and/or incentive programs.
According to Olympia’s 2019 Wastewater Management Plan, which is about to be adopted, the city has approximately 1800 residential and commercial STEP (septic tank effluent pumping) systems with 27.5 miles of STEP force mains. Though the plan calls for giving priority to extensions of gravity sewer systems over STEP and grinder systems, it calls for allowing the limited use of STEP systems for conversions from septic systems and for infill development in neighborhoods currently served by STEP systems.