If you live here, you probably know us as the “Fort Ward Sewer District”, or just as “The Sewer District.” Our official name is “Kitsap County Sewer District #7”, which can be confusing, because we are not connected with the county government. Instead, we are a Special Purpose District, a small government entity formed by public vote in 1960 to provide one kind of service — in our case, wastewater treatment!

We are located on the south end of Bainbridge Island, within the Fort Ward Historic District. Our plant treats wastewater for about 700 homes and businesses located both inside and outside the district. The City of Bainbridge Island asked us to also provide wastewater treatment for south end communities outside our district that had failing septic systems, which were causing health and environmental emergencies. That’s why we treat wastewater from Lynwood Center, Rockaway Beach, Blakely Elementary School, Pleasant Beach, Point White and Emerald Heights, through an Interlocal Agreement with the city government.

Our Mission: “To provide reliable wastewater services at a reasonable rate through thoughtful effective planning, efficient operation, and diligent administration.  To be environmental stewards by meeting or exceeding discharge standards.”

How we are governed

Fort Ward Sewer District is chartered under state law and is governed by a board of three commissioners, who are elected to six-year terms by district voters.  Commissioners are responsible for managing the district operations and setting policies.

The board meets monthly, on the second Thursday of each month at 5pm. Special meetings are also occasionally held. All meetings are open to the public and are held at the Fort Ward Community Hall/Fort Ward Sewer District office at 9705 NE Evergreen Ave. on Bainbridge Island. Most meetings also are accessible by Zoom. More information about board meetings can be found here.

Our operations

Our district utilizes professional contractors who handle day-to-day management, wastewater treatment plant operations, collection system and billing. 

Beginning July 1, 2024, we contracted with Kitsap Public Utility District to handle billing and management support for the sewer district. This opportunity arose with the retirement of our previous contractor, and it will bring efficiencies as KPUD already serves and bills for water utility service in the Fort Ward neighborhood. Since both KPUD and the Fort Ward Sewer District are governmental agencies, the contract is an Interlocal Agreement (ILA).

Contractor Water and Wastewater Management Systems operates our wastewater treatment plant and collection system.

Billing

You can mail or drop off your bill at 9705 NE Evergreen Ave., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. If you have any billing questions, please call (360) 779-7656 or email manager@kitsapsewer.org.