What Is LOTT?
LOTT is a regional wastewater utility serving the communities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater in Thurston County, Washington.
About LOTT
LOTT is a recognized industry leader with state-of-the-art treatment facilities, a dedicated, highly trained workforce committed to excellence and innovation, and a unique governance structure. LOTT is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, formed by four government partners. L-O-T-T stands for Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County.
Our Mission
LOTT’s mission is to protect public health and the environment by cleaning water and recovering resources for our community.
LOTT's History
Treatment History
Structure
How the Regional Utility Came to Be
The City of Olympia built a wastewater treatment plant in 1952. The City of Tumwater contracted for services in 1955, and in 1969, the City of Lacey also connected to the system. In 1976, the three cities and the county signed an interlocal agreement to allow for jointly funded, cooperative use of the treatment plant and related infrastructure. Long-range planning in the 1990s resulted in the Wastewater Resource Management Plan, and a new intergovernmental agreement, signed in 2000, to establish LOTT as a stand-alone non-profit corporation, governed by the four partners.
LOTT's History
How the Regional Utility Came to Be
The City of Olympia built a wastewater treatment plant in 1952. The City of Tumwater contracted for services in 1955, and in 1969, the City of Lacey also connected to the system. In 1976, the three cities and the county signed an interlocal agreement to allow for jointly funded, cooperative use of the treatment plant and related infrastructure. Long-range planning in the 1990s resulted in the Wastewater Resource Management Plan, and a new intergovernmental agreement, signed in 2000, to establish LOTT as a stand-alone non-profit corporation, governed by the four partners.
Treatment History
Treating Wastewater Since the 1950s
The original 1952 plant provided primary-level treatment. A major upgrade in 1983 added secondary treatment. By 1994, the plant was further upgraded to advanced secondary treatment with nitrogen removal. To implement the long-range plan, LOTT built two facilities to produce Class A reclaimed water in the early 2000s. This resource is used locally for irrigation, water features and groundwater replenishment, which takes place at LOTT’s Hawks Prairie Recharge Basins and a second facility owned and operated by the cities of Lacey and Olympia.
Structure
Formed by Four Government Partners
LOTT is a non-profit governmental corporation – 501(c)3 – that operates like a public entity. It is governed by a Board of four elected officials, one appointed by each of the partner jurisdictions. The Board meets monthly to conduct business and is supported by a Technical Sub-Committee consisting of the Public Works Directors from each partner and the LOTT Executive Director, Engineering Director and Plant Manager. LOTT operates under the authority of an interlocal agreement to fulfill its responsibility to treat and manage wastewater.
More Information
Our Awards
The LOTT Alliance has received national, state and local awards recognizing our commitment to environmental protection, public outreach, engineering excellence and more. Some of these awards and achievements are highlighted below.
Utility of the Future Today
This award recognizes forward-thinking, innovative, resilient utilities that provide value-added service to their communities. It is awarded jointly by the Water Education Foundation, Water Environment Research Foundation, National Association of Clean Water Agencies and WateReuse, with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
National Environmental Achievement
LOTT’s Culture of Excellence Workforce Development Program was awarded the 2026 National Environmental Achievement Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. This award recognizes outstanding programs that embody effective, sustainable solutions that address the need for a qualified, diverse, and knowledgeable utility workforce.
WateReuse Award for Excellence
LOTT’s Reclaimed Water Infiltration Study was honored by the WateReuse Association with a 2023 Program of the Year Award. The multi-year study evaluates residual chemicals in reclaimed water, and what happens to them when reclaimed water is infiltrated into the ground.
Peak Performance
Three 2025 Peak Performance awards were received from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for excellence in permit compliance. The Martin Way Reclaimed Water Plant and Budd Inlet Reclaimed Water Plant received a Silver award and the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant received a Gold award.
WellCity Award of Commitment
The WellCity Award from the Association of Washington Cities has been received each year since 2011. The WellCity Award recognizes LOTT’s commitment to workplace wellness and to creating a culture of health, resulting in healthier, more productive employees.
Thurston Green Business
Since 2008, LOTT has received the Thurston Green Business award annually. This award recognizes local businesses for their environmentally friendly efforts in the areas of green building, waste reduction and recycling, water conservation, energy efficiency, transportation, and pollution prevention.
Outstanding Performance Award
LOTT’s treatment plants were recognized for outstanding performance by the Washington State Department of Ecology in 2025. This award recognizes LOTT for achieving specific permit conditions, including numeric effluent limits, water quality monitoring, and timely report submittal.
LOTT Board of Directors
The LOTT Clean Water Alliance is governed by a Board of Directors. Four elected officials – one from each of the partner governments – are appointed to represent their jurisdictions on the Board. The Board provides oversight for planning, construction and financing of LOTT programs and joint facilities and plans for future facilities. Representatives to the LOTT Board are selected by each of the four partner jurisdictions at the beginning of each year.
Leadership Team
LOTT’s management team consists of the Executive Director and Directors for each of LOTT’s main divisions. This group uses a team-based management approach, meeting weekly to provide updates on projects and activities and to discuss issues.
