Construction on a one million gallon tank to reduce overflows from a combined sanitary and stormwater sewer on the west side of Ray Street at 21st Avenue is set to begin in late September. The tank will capture and retain excess flows from combined sewers during a large storm from an area that includes Lincoln Heights and part of the East Central neighborhood.

In addition to reducing overflows to the river, this project also will help with localized basement flooding in homes near the tank. Construction is expected to continue through November 2014. To make room for the tank and for enhanced neighborhood safety, about 100 pine trees will be removed from the site, beginning Monday, September 23.

As part of the project, landscaping will be added that will return the location to a nature area. The project at 21st & Ray is part of a major initiative to improve the health of the Spokane River by reducing the amount of stormwater and wastewater entering the Spokane River.

The 21st & Ray tank will be the largest one the City has constructed to date to address overflows from combined sewers. City engineers say the tank will be as long as a football field, end zone to end zone. Check this comparison below:

Yes, that's the Bank Of America building downtown. 

Or even better, the Clocktower. 

The $5 million construction project at 21st & Ray is being funded by the City’s Wastewater Management Department.

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