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LOTT remains innovative
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Pangea on 10/12/2009 22:00:00
 
Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County governments each send an elected
representative to serve on the governing board, and there was a time when there
was great mistrust among the governing jurisdictions. The LOTT governing board
squabbled over monthly sewer rates, hook-up fees, capacity of the LOTT plant at
the base of Budd Inlet, whether expansion was necessary and, if so, what types
of treatment systems would be beneficial to the community and to the
environment.
It didn't help matters that terrible sewage smells from the treatment plant
wafted through downtown Olympia streets.
Over time, the membership of the governing board changed — thank goodness. The
new members came with a more collegial attitude focused on cooperation and
public service. The LOTT Alliance, as the governing organization is now known,
oversaw a huge expansion that included construction of satellite facilities
where wastewater is treated then absorbed back into the aquifer. LOTT has begun
to use underground purple pipes to transfer treated wastewater to golf courses
and parks for irrigation purposes — saving precious water resources.
The transformation of LOTT continues with plans to construct a new
headquarters/education center on Port of Olympia property near the treatment
plant.
And the innovations keep on coming.
Plans are under way to convert the methane gas generated at the LOTT wastewater
treatment plant into energy to heat the new administration and education
building. The LOTT Alliance board has approved a $2.6 million contract to
install a cogeneration system that will supply about 11 percent of the heat and
electricity used at the LOTT complex, according to LOTT engineering director
Brian Topolski.
The new system will save the utility about $190,000 a year in electricity and
heating costs. The project should pay for itself in about six years, thanks to
project rebates from Puget Sound Energy estimated at 50 percent to 70 percent of
the total cost.
It's a terrific plan and the kind of creative thinking the community has come to
expect from LOTT leaders.
In addition to the energy savings, the cogeneration plant will reduce greenhouse
gas emissions from the LOTT complex, including 1,800 metric tons of carbon
dioxide and more than 1,600 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
"It's the equivalent of taking about 300 cars off the road," Topolski said.
Utility officials also announced plans to expand and remodeling of the treatment
plant and increase use of reclaimed wastewater.
Gone are the days of dysfunction. The 93,000 ratepayers have come to expect this
kind of bold and innovative leadership from the LOTT Alliance.