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Public Works & Utilities >> Sewer Utility >> Current Projects >> B Street Phase 3

B Street Interceptor Phase 3 Project #7242

This project is one of a series of sewer improvement projects that are progressively providing sanitary sewer service to the Elk Plain area near Mountain Highway E (SR 7).

Phase 1 from 152nd St. E to 176th St. E was completed in 1999. Phase 2 from 176th St. E to 192nd St. E is currently under construction (2011).

The proposed Phase 3 project will install approximately 6,000 feet of new 30-inch diameter sewer interceptor pipe as deep as 25 feet below ground and approximately 3,000 feet of 8-inch collector pipe to serve nearby properties.

An interceptor is a sewer line that receives wastewater from multiple collector pipes and transmits it to a wastewater treatment plant. Interceptors are usually 15 inches or greater in diameter.

The new pipe will connect to the Phase 2 sewer system currently under construction at B St. E and 192nd St. E. From there it will be installed along the following proposed alignment (see also maps below):

south along B St. to 196th St. E
east along 196th St. E, plus a short segment crossing SR 7 to the west
southeast along Ellis Lane to 8th Ave. E
south to SR 7 and along SR 7 to 204th St. E

The pipe's complex alignment is necessary to create a framework for connecting local properties to the sanitary sewer.

The Problem

Development in Pierce County's Elk Plain area is growing and there are limited sewer main lines (interceptors) that serve this vicinity. Private developers assume the cost of preparing their developments to hook up to sewer service but they can't connect until interceptors are installed. The high up-front cost of extending public sewer interceptors is prohibitive for most private developers.

The Solution

The county is funding construction of the interceptors so properties can connect to sanitary sewer service. The cost of extending the public sewer system will be offset over time through connection charges paid at the time a new property connects to the public system.

Current Status

A final engineering schedule has been developed, along with a new alignment route in the vicinity of the Walmart property.

Vicinity Map and Photos

B St Phase 3 Vicinity Map
(click to enlarge)