One year after activating the first-of-its-kind battery power system at West Point Treatment Plant, operators say it’s exceeded expectations — keeping critical systems online during 78 power disruptions and protecting Puget Sound from potential overflows.

The onsite battery power system – which has won multiple engineering awards – kept critical pumps operating during 78 power disruptions, preventing untreated wastewater from being discharged into Puget Sound. There were 15 instances when pumps were powered exclusively by the 2,000 batteries housed in a new 24,000-square-foot structure.

It is among dozens of improvements we’ve made in recent years to make the Puget Sound region’s largest treatment plant safer, more reliable, and more resilient to climate impacts.

“What began as an award-winning engineering marvel is now an operational success,” said Executive Braddock. “The onsite battery system we installed at West Point Treatment Plant is delivering exactly what we promised: providing reliable power that protects Puget Sound, even when our region experiences catastrophic weather events.”

Click on the image to watch a video about how the battery backup passes its first-year test.