Project Overview
Columbia Engineering Group provided engineering services for the replacement of three sets of three-story, vertically stacked sanitary waste and vent lines serving laundry rooms at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington. Chronic wastewater backups were causing repeated flooding, creating an ongoing operational concern for the healthcare facility and signaling the need for a long-term infrastructure solution.
CEG used a Building Condition Assessment approach to evaluate the failing infrastructure, document deficiencies, and determine what was needed to improve system performance. The resulting design addressed the existing drainage and ventilation problems while increasing capacity for future laundry equipment and incorporating code-compliant improvements for long-term facility use.
Project Challenge and Approach
The recurring wastewater backups required more than a temporary maintenance response. CEG evaluated the condition and capacity of the existing sanitary waste and vent systems to identify deficiencies and develop a corrective solution that addressed both immediate failures and future operational needs.
The project also presented a procurement challenge. The initial bid solicitation received no bids, which could have delayed implementation of the infrastructure improvements. CEG responded by contacting more than 32 contractors to generate interest in the project. After the project was re-bid, two bids were received under budget and the project moved forward to award.
Engineering Scope of Work
CEG supported the Eastern State Hospital laundry waste line project from existing-condition assessment and engineering design through bidding, construction administration, and project close-out.
Building Condition Assessment
CEG evaluated the existing sanitary waste and vent infrastructure, documented deficiencies, and assessed system capacity. The Building Condition Assessment helped establish the corrective actions needed to address recurring flooding and support long-term facility performance.
Sanitary Waste & Vent System Redesign
The design replaced three sets of three-story, vertically stacked sanitary waste and vent lines serving the hospital’s laundry rooms. The upgraded drainage and ventilation systems were designed to improve reliability and correct the conditions contributing to wastewater backups.
Future Laundry Capacity
CEG increased system capacity to support future laundry equipment. Planning for future demand allowed the project to address the immediate infrastructure problem while also preparing the facility for additional laundry capacity.
Bid Support & Contractor Outreach
After the first bid solicitation received no responses, CEG contacted more than 32 contractors to build project interest. The re-bid produced two bids under budget, allowing the project to proceed to award.
Construction Administration & Project Close-Out
CEG continued supporting the project after award through construction administration and project close-out. This involvement helped carry the corrective design from assessment and bidding through implementation and completion.
Project Outcome
The Eastern State Hospital Laundry Waste Line Replacement project addressed chronic wastewater backups by replacing failing sanitary waste and vent infrastructure with an upgraded system designed for improved drainage, ventilation, and future laundry capacity. The Building Condition Assessment process gave CEG a clear basis for identifying deficiencies and developing a practical, code-compliant solution tailored to the facility’s long-term needs.
CEG also helped move the project through a difficult bidding environment. After the initial solicitation received no bids, direct outreach to more than 32 contractors generated renewed interest and resulted in two bids under budget. CEG then supported construction administration and project close-out, providing continuity from infrastructure assessment through completed construction.
What Made This Project Stand Out
CEG evaluated the existing infrastructure, documented deficiencies, and developed a corrective solution that addressed both recurring wastewater problems and long-term facility needs.
The project replaced three sets of vertically stacked sanitary waste and vent lines serving laundry rooms across three stories of the healthcare facility.
When the initial bid solicitation received no responses, CEG contacted more than 32 contractors, generated new project interest, and secured two bids under budget during the re-bid.
The redesigned drainage and ventilation systems addressed existing wastewater problems while increasing capacity for future laundry equipment and supporting more reliable long-term operation.