WES' Kellogg Creek WRRF Improvements Project

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

Built with federal funds in 1974, the aging Kellogg Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility faced a very uncertain future a decade ago as Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) and stakeholders evaluated whether the facility should continue operations or be decommissioned as the City of Milwaukie advocated for its closure. During that protracted conversation about possible closure, which lasted several years, upkeep of the facility lapsed due to the uncertainty surrounding the facility’s future.With federal funding no longer available, WES used ratepayer dollars and reserve funds to refurbish the facility, which serves tens of thousands of customers in Happy Valley, Johnson City, Milwaukie and unincorporated areas. WES refurbishments that began in 2017 included the replacement of aging pipes, pumps, and electrical systems. Energy-efficient pumps and blowers were installed. Additional work includes replacement of the disinfection system and solids treatment portion of the facility.Work was sequenced to keep the facility fully operational during construction which lasted through 2020. WES made increased odor control a top priority as part of its commitment to being a good neighbor to the surrounding community.The improvements position the Kellogg Creek Facility to deliver reliable, cost-effective wastewater treatment services for the region for decades to come with minimal impact on ratepayers. The refurbished Kellogg Creek Facility cleans nearly seven million gallons of wastewater every day, and helps WES clean more than seven billion gallons of wastewater each year.