The Fall City Waste Management System has been honored as the winner of the 2023 Best-Run Government Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship. Congratulations to the Department of Local Services (DLS), Public Health – Seattle & King County (DPH), and all their partners for their commitment to Best-Run Government!

“I was thrilled to learn that the Fall City Septic System project had won an Executive Best-Run Government Climate Award,” says John Taylor, Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Director and former DLS Director. “It’s been a passion project of mine since the start since it not only supports the sustainability of the Fall City business district, but also leads to cleaner water and a cleaner environment. It required working with Public Health, Roads, District 3 Councilmembers, and the Fall City Community Association to make it a reality. When we put our minds together and work as one King County with community, we can solve intractable problems.”

Fall City is an unincorporated rural town in King County with a population of less than 5,000 people and about 40 businesses located within the rural business district. Fall City has been plagued with a wastewater problem for decades – negatively impacting businesses and threatening the health of people and the environment in the Snoqualmie River Valley. With strong community engagement and the highest amount of environmental stewardship, the Fall City Waste Management System team designed an innovative and cost-effective wastewater infrastructure for the Fall City Business District. The project is moving into the construction phase and will proceed through April 2026. The project will deliver measurable clean water and human health benefits.

The project featured strong collaboration between the DLS Director’s Office, Road Services, Environmental Health Services (DPH), the Snoqualmie Tribe, Fall City residents and businesses, Jacobs Engineering, and local community groups including the Fall City Community Association (FCCA), Fall City Metropolitan Parks District, and Fall City Septic Association.

The Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship recognizes workgroups and teams that have made progress in advancing the goals of King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan and/or protecting and restoring clean water and health habitat.

“I am so excited to congratulate the King County Department of Local Services on receiving the 2023 Best-Run Government Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship for their Fall City Waste Management System project! This achievement reflects a true community-wide effort, demonstrating exceptional commitment to environmental sustainability and public health while engaging one of only three legal townships in King County,” said King County Councilmember Sarah Perry. “Through collaboration with many local and county partners – including Fall City community leaders and the Fall City Community Association – along with innovative infrastructure solutions, this project sets a remarkable example of effective governance and environmental stewardship for our region and beyond, ensuring that generations of Fall City residents can live healthy lives in the thriving Snoqualmie Valley.”

“Thank you to the Best-Run Government Awards review committee for selecting this project! The Fall City Waste Management System is a win in so many ways,” says Marissa Aho, Director of King County’s Executive Climate Office. “It’s a win for community priorities, strong community engagement, and clear, measurable clean water and human health benefits. I look forward to following the progress of this project and being a part of it as it achieves its goals and successes for the people and the environment in and around Fall City!”

In 2018, the Executive launched the Best-Run Government Awards – formerly known as the Performance Excellence Awards. The awards recognize individuals and project teams In the Executive branch for their exceptional contributions in innovation, leadership, and continuous improvement at King County. Award winners our honored for efforts that support our True North vision of making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive — and embody our Executive branch values. Our True North is what we’re trying to achieve. Our values are how we strive to do our work. The Best-Run Government Awards recognize both – achievements in results and living our values. Best-Run Government is our commitment to continuously improve the equity, efficiency, and effectiveness of how King County operates.

Congratulations again to the Department of Local Services (DLS), Public Health – Seattle & King County (DPH), and all their partners for modeling our True North and values, and helping to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive!

Visit the Best-Run Government Awards page to learn more about the 2023 award winners.