Politics & Government

Sumner City Council Approves Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Agreement

The Sumner City Council voted 5-2 in favor of the interlocal agreement between Bonney Lake and Sumner that would expand the shared wastewater treatment facility.

Sumner City Council voted 5-2 to approve the wastewater treatment plant expansion at their regular council meeting on Monday, March 19.

The expansion will ensure enough sewer capacity to sustain the two cities for the next 40 years and .

Bonney Lake Mayor Neil Johnson was there to express his support for the project and to see the plan approved.

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“It’s a tough agreement, but in the end I feel that it’s an agreement where both sides will win,” said Johnson. “It’s nice to see both sides work together for a common goal.”

The plant currently holds a daily capacity of 4.6 million gallons; the expansion will raise it to 6.9 million. Sumner will have capacity rights of 2.8 million per day; Bonney Lake will have 4.1 million.

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These breakdowns cover projected growth numbers in the region, including Orton Junction. 

Sumner city administrator Diane Supler presented the agreement to the city council.

“This agreement provides insurance that long-term, [both cities] will have sewer capacity,” said Supler.

The expanded facility should not have to be renovated again until 2028, said Supler, and will cost approximately $10 million dollars, split between both cities. Sumner and Bonney Lake have both received a Public Works Trust Fund Loan of $4.7 million from the state to cover the costs, with an interest rate of 4.7 percent. Local taxpayers in Sumner are already paying for the anticipated expansion project, with current rates reflecting the need.

Both Sumner and Bonney Lake will split the cost of a perimeter wall and fence, which will cost $750,000.

Since it owns the plant, Sumner will bill Bonney Lake for its consumption – a flat monthly amount that will be reconciled yearly with the actual usage. If Bonney Lake goes over its allotted use, the city will pay Sumner; alternately, Sumner will reimburse Bonney Lake if less is used.

Supler said the contract also provides an option for Bonney Lake to pay for future expansions if the city grows more rapidly than projected. There is also potential for future freeway and roadway mitigation, where Bonney Lake would foot the bill.

“Bonney Lake can expand the plant whenever they need to, at their sole expense,” said Supler. “And, when appropriate, Bonney Lake will support Sumner on transportation-related issues. They have agreed to provide assistance in improvements to SR 410 and its interchanges, plus improvements to SR 167 and expansion plans in , especially on the 214th/218th corridor.”

Importantly, the agreement also promises that Bonney Lake will dismiss its appeal of the Orton Junction project with the Growth Management Hearings Board.

“To me, [the wastewater treatment plant expansion and Orton Junction] are two different things,” said Katharine Rode, who spoke during public comment. “I think you should keep it that way.”

The Sumner City Council approved the measure 5-2, with Randy Hynek and Nancy Dumas voting no. Hynek expressed concern over the hasty process that gave the council little time for review.

“I think it’s very important for both cities that we finalize this, and Orton Junction has been the driving force in closing the deal,” said Hynek. “My concern is, that in the past we’ve spent 6 months on projects 100 times smaller than this, and we’ve had one week for one of the biggest expansion projects the city’s ever had, to make up our minds. I’m not voting in favor of this because I think the council has not had enough time to review it.”

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Now that the interlocal agreement has been approved, work will begin to expand the treatment plant and replace the perimeter fence and wall. Stick with Patch for more updates.


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