Clogged, not forgotten: The hidden reality when you flush wipes
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories It’s two in the morning when Brian White’s phone rings. A fellow operator at West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle is calling with bad news: The Hidden Lake Pump Station in Shoreline is rapidly losing capacity. If the problem continues, it could lead to a sewer overflow. Within minutes, White, an offsite wastewater operator for West Section, is out of bed and behind the wheel, heading into the darkness to protect public health and Puget Sound. Read more.
Planning ahead: Make back-to-school vaccination appointments now
Crossposted from Public Health Insider School’s about more than math quizzes and book reports. It’s where kids go to play, grow, and build community. But where kids thrive, so do germs. Enter vaccinations! Vaccinations are the body’s practice test for diseases like measles and whooping cough. That way, if the real thing shows up, kids’ immune systems know exactly what to do. Vaccinations required for school and child care Children entering school, child care, or other early learning programs are required to get certain vaccinations before they can start. Check the full list of requirements in… Read More
Celebrating 60 years of clean water operations
Crossposted from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division newsletter This year, we’re marking 60 years of operations at West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle! Today, we work 24/7 to clean more than 90 million gallons of wastewater every day, protecting public health and Puget Sound. West Point came online in 1966, following South Treatment Plant in Renton, which celebrated its 60th birthday last year. Brightwater Treatment Plant near Woodinville turns 15. View more photos on Instagram here. Pictured: An archival photo of the West Point Treatment Plant.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray secures funds to expand water taxi’s passenger-only facility in Seattle
Crossposted from the Captain’s Blog U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has announced $22.1 million for King County Metro Transit, and $7.2 million for Washington State Ferries. The funding will support expanding a passenger-only ferry facility in Seattle and operations of rural ferry routes from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands, and Port Townsend to Coupeville. The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Passenger Ferry and Rural Ferry Grant Programs. Read more.
Growing new beginnings at CitySoil Farm
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories At our CitySoil Farm at South Treatment Plant in Renton, growing culturally relevant veggies and fruits to feed the community is only part of the story. Throughout the summer, another kind of growth takes root: young people building confidence, learning new skills, and discovering new possibilities for their futures. Since 2013, Sea Mar Renacer and the King County Wastewater Treatment Division have been working together to create meaningful educational experiences for youth participating in Renacer’s rehabilitation program. Together, the partnership demonstrates how environmental stewardship and community well-being can go hand in… Read More
Updates on the Executive Order ACO-8-32-EO Protecting Immigrants and Refugees in King County
Message from Girmay Zahilay, King County Executive Team, Like many of you, I remain deeply concerned about the impacts of increased immigration enforcement on King County residents. Families are facing fear and uncertainty, and I know some of our own employees are worried about what these actions could mean for themselves, their loved ones, their colleagues, and the communities they serve. As Executive, I want you to know what King County has been doing in response. Today, I announced that the County is making a new investment of $900,000 in a new public private partnership called the South King County Immigrant and Refugee Futures Fund to prioritize the… Read More
Running and repairing our system, 24/7
Crossposted from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division newsletter We’re in the second construction season of our Effluent Pump Station Gate Rehabilitation project at West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle! Last year, crews replaced one of four large gates, each about 8 feet by 8 feet and nearly 40 feet underground. This year, they’re replacing the remaining three. These gates allow us to take individual pumps offline for maintenance without shutting down the entire system that sends fully treated wastewater safely to Puget Sound. That means safer, easier maintenance and a more… Read More
King County awards $2.75 million in capital grants for food assistance providers
Recently, Executive Girmay Zahilay announced a combined $2.75 million in capital grant funding for 30 local food assistance providers and community food programs to improve food security in King County. The grants, which range from $11,000 to $450,000, will address long-term infrastructure needs and enhance the local food system. Funding will support projects ranging from facility improvements to the purchase of refrigerated vans for mobile food delivery services. “The need for food assistance in King County communities has never been greater. As the cost of groceries continues to rise, more seniors, families, and… Read More
King County’s surface water management fee discount for low-income property owners – Apply by Sept. 15
Please share this information with friends, family or neighbors in unincorporated King County that may be eligible for a fee discount: If you qualify as a low-income household and live on your own property in unincorporated King County, you may be eligible for a 50 percent discount on the annual surface water management fee on your land parcel(s). The open period to apply is every year from Aug. 1 through Sept. 15. Learn more about the fee discount at kingcounty.gov/SWMFeeDiscount. Assistance with applying is available from Business and Finance staff by calling 206-477-4800, or… Read More
Amid extremely dry conditions, Fire Marshal issued Stage 2 burn ban in unincorporated King County
Crossposted from King County Local King County Fire Marshal Eric Urban issued a Stage 2 burn ban for unincorporated King County that went into effect at 12:01 a.m., Friday, Aug. 7. Stage 2 burn bans will be issued in neighboring incorporated cities via coordination with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and Fire Marshals. During a Stage 2 burn ban, all outdoor fires such as backyard fire pits or campfires that use chopped firewood or charcoal are prohibited. Any person with a recreational fire who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue such… Read More
Employee News 