News and Current Events

Review the most recent information about LOTT capital projects, permitting, public hearings and special events, new publications, and community updates.

WET Center is Open

The Water Education and Technology (WET) Center is now open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm, except on observed holidays. We offer interactive exhibits, weekend family activities, and environmental presentations. The WET Center is located in LOTT's Regional Services Center, at 500 Adams Street NE, in downtown Olympia, just two blocks northeast of the Olympia Transit Station. For directions and printable map, click here. We hope you will come visit us soon!

LOTT Changes Name and Identity

LOTT is celebrating a major milestone with a new name – LOTT Clean Water Alliance – and a new graphic identity. With LOTT’s new Regional Services Center and Water Education and Technology Center set to open this summer, a new name and logo is needed to better reflect the critical public services this organization provides for the urban areas of north Thurston County.

While the name change is not dramatic, the addition of the words "Clean Water" signify LOTT’s mission to preserve and protect public health and the environment by cleaning and restoring water resources for our communities. "Clean Water" has become a standard for wastewater utilities and organizations around the country, making it a fitting descriptor for our local utility.

The graphic identity includes four water drops in a pattern similar to the recycle symbol. This element symbolizes the four governments – the Cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater and Thurston County – that form the LOTT partnership. The water drop symbol also reflects LOTT’s role in transforming waste into valuable resources, treating wastewater to produce reclaimed water, biosolids, and methane. Look for LOTT’s new logo to be phased in on LOTT materials and the website www.lottcleanwater.org over the next few months.

State of the Utility Report 2010

In the years since LOTT incorporated in 2001, we have been evolving and maturing as a utility, experiencing many changes along the way. In 2009, we were able to focus on putting all that change to work, as we built new facilities and continued upgrading some old ones, expanded our community and regional partnerships, extended our reclaimed water facilities, awarded more commercial and industrial water conservation rebates than ever before, and prepared for a new Education Center and Education Program, which will enhance LOTT’s continuing efforts to foster conservation and water reuse throughout our communities. It was a productive and rewarding year, with much more to come in 2010.

Get a Free FOG Kit

Fat’s, oils, and greases (FOGs) aren’t just bad for your arteries; they’re also bad for you home’s plumbing, city sewer pipes, LOTT’s sewer system, and home septics. When poured down sink drains, FOGs harden and stick to pipe walls, where they can cause clogs. Use LOTT’s FOG Kit to police the grease and protect your pipes. The FOG Kit includes:

• A reusable lid that fits most tuna, pet food, or other standard-size cans
• A scraper to transfer grease from the pan to the can

Don’t have a kit? Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater sewer customers can call (360) 664-2333 to receive a free kit by mail.

Unwanted Medicine Return Program

Returning unwanted medications makes your home safer, and by not flushing those medicines down the toilet, it protects waterways and aquatic life. You can return unwanted medicines for free and safe disposal at the following locations:

Group Health
700 Lilly Road NE, Olympia, Washington
(360) 923-7600

Group Health accepts prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, medication samples, pet medications, vitamins, medicated ointments/lotions, inhalers and liquid medication in glass or leak-proof containers. This facility does not accept needles, thermometers, controlled substances (narcotics), bloody or infectious waste, personal care products, business waste, empty containers, hydrogen peroxide, or aerosol cans.

Thurston County Sheriff's Prescription Drop Box
Outside Building 3, 2000 Lakeridge Drive S.W., Olympia, Washington
(360) 867-2664

Thurston County Sheriff's Prescription Drop Box accepts prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, controlled substances (narcotics), medication samples, pet medications, vitamins, medicated ointments/lotions, inhalers and liquid medication in glass or leak-proof containers. This facility does not accept needles, thermometers, bloody or infectious waste, personal care products, business waste, empty containers, hydrogen peroxide, or aerosol cans.

Tumwater Police Department
555 Israel Road SW, Tumwater, Washington

A prescription drop box has been installed outside of the front counter at the Tumwater Police Department. Citizens may drop off their old prescription medications in the box so the prescriptions are not being flushed, disposed of in our landfills, or falling into the hands of children. No needles will be accepted.

Construction at the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant

During construction of the new Administrative/Education Center at the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant, changes in access to the Plant, parking, and office locations are required.

• Access – The parking area and main entrance to the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant, located at 500 Adams Street NE, is now closed. All visitors to the Plant must enter at Gate #4 on Franklin Street NE. Deliveries, tour groups, mail carriers, and others must use this entrance. Visitors can use the phone at the Gate to request entry or use their cell phone to call 360-528-5700 for assistance. A camera at the gate will allow LOTT staff to assist visitors and open the gate remotely.
• Parking – Visitors entering at Gate #4 will travel east on the access road to the breezeway, a covered portion of the road. Several parking stalls on the north side of the breezeway are available for visitor parking. All visitors must enter the Maintenance Building via the door to the right and sign-in before proceeding to other locations within the Plant.

The Budd Inlet Treatment Plant site will be a construction zone for the next two years. Avoid active construction areas and exercise caution when near the site. Many of our offices and functions will be temporarily relocated during construction. To receive project updates by mail or email, contact Lisa Dennis-Perez at (360) 528-5719 or lisadennis-perez@lottcleanwater.org.