Federal Way: Lakehaven, the city and King County

Lakehaven Water & Sewer District serves most of Federal Way for both water and sewer, the city's Permit Center issues plumbing permits, and septic goes to Public Health – Seattle & King County.

Sheet revised November 4, 2026

Lakehaven does both water and sewer

One office handles both. A water-efficiency group's profile quoting the district says Lakehaven serves most of the city, plus small parts of Auburn, Pacific, Tacoma, Des Moines and Milton and about 18 square miles of unincorporated King County. The name dates from October 6, 2016; before that it was Lakehaven Utility District, so old papers may use that name. Its FAQ says it bills the property owner and does not bill renters directly. Another FAQ section says it does not do plumbing repairs.

Where the water comes from, with dates

Part river, part wells; the latest split we could confirm dates from 2014. Lakehaven shares the Second Supply Project from the Green River with Tacoma, Kent and Covington. In 2014 that source gave 74% of its water and wells gave 26%, and it is an interruptible source. The district's overview page lists 22 wells, 12 tanks and about 400 miles of main, also dated. Its notice says the annual water report is at lakehavenwsd.gov/CCR from July 1, 2026, per this announcement. Well-by-well numbers are in iron and hardness.

Sewer, and the side sewer question

The same overview lists 350 miles of main, 27 pump stations and two secondary treatment plants, Redondo and Lakota. We found no official statement of the side sewer split. A Federal Way Mirror report quoted a district manager saying the line from home to main is the owner's, and noted such lines often run into city right-of-way in older plats. That is a newspaper, not a rule; get it from the district at 253-945-1580. The district also lists a Septic and Side Sewer Repair Rebate Program, and we could not confirm its terms. Side sewers has wider context.

Which county office does what

Federal Way is in King County, so its health office differs from Pierce County sheets such as Lakewood. Public Health – Seattle & King County permits septic work; repairs and replacements need a permit, and most building permits on septic-served homes need health approval first. That office is not your plumbing permit office, though: its plumbing page lists Seattle, Clyde Hill and unincorporated King County only. In Federal Way, plumbing goes through the city's Permit Center, (253) 835-2607. Compare permits by place.

For a water or sewer emergency, Lakehaven's line, 253-941-1516, is answered around the clock. Sewage rising in a drain means stop using water and keep people and pets away from it.