Investments in clean-water projects to support economic growth, protect Puget Sound and sustain the region’s enviable quality of life will be a top priority in 2011 for King County Executive Dow Constantine.

“Clean water and adequate wastewater treatment capacity are crucial for economic growth and job creation,” said Executive Constantine.

“Our wastewater treatment system keeps tons of pollutants out of our regional waterways each year and protects the natural resources that make our area such an attractive place to live, work and play.”

Over the coming year, King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division will invest $232 million in dozens of sewer improvement projects to upgrade aging facilities, build new capacity to accommodate population growth, and improve water quality by reducing combined sewer overflows near some of Seattle’s most popular recreation areas. Other projects include addressing historically contaminated sediments in the Lower Duwamish Waterway and Elliott Bay.

“In King County, economic prosperity and environmental health are intertwined. The investments we’re making this year will put people to work in the short term while providing infrastructure to support long-term economic growth and responsible development,” said Constantine.

On the list of major projects in King County are the Ballard and Fremont Siphons.

King County has budgeted $12.5 million to begin construction on the Ballard Siphon replacement project. The project will replace a 75-year-old wood stave pipe that extends across the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The new pipe will replace a 36-inch-diameter sewer pipe that was installed in 1935 and currently conveys up to 60 million gallons a day of wastewater across the canal.

For the Fremont Siphon King County has budgeted $1.9 million to begin preliminary design on a project to replace the Fremont Siphon, which has been in service for more than 100 years.