Cross-posted from The Downstream Blog: On the night of Saturday, Nov. 10, a four-alarm fire started at a lumberyard right across from the King County Environmental Lab. The fire was the largest Seattle has seen since 2010 with flames shooting over 100 feet into the air, according to the Seattle Fire Department blog. In the…
King County’s Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station (WWTS) has earned the coveted “Platinum” rating from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure’s Envision rating system. This is the first Platinum-awarded Envision project in Washington and recognizes the County’s commitment to sustainable communities and the environment. The Georgetown WWTS project is under construction in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood and…
The King County Industrial Waste (KCIW) program has been working on a proposal to update the structure of its fee system. Changes require a two-step decision-making process. First the King County Council considers updating the King County Code. Pending Council approval, the Department of Natural Resources and Parks develops a Public Rule. Thirty-year old fee…
Businesses that send “high strength” or concentrated organic wastewater to the sewer system pay more because it costs more to treat this wastewater. KCIW’s Surcharge Fee currently includes the costs for both treating concentrated “high-strength” waste at a treatment plant and the cost of compliance monitoring and administering the permit or authorization. Under a proposal…
Through WTD’s partnership with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, we were able to foster the next generation of environmental leaders through a 6-week internship for high school students.
Today, local industries are known for being a source of jobs, not pollution. That’s because our Industrial Waste Program inspectors work closely with local businesses to protect our water quality. The Georgetown Brewery is one example of how we work with facilities to make sure the wastewater they send to the sewers won’t cause problems.
Happy place = happy at work If you’re like most working people, you spend enough time at your job that it’s like a second home. And most people would agree it’s nicer when your workplace is tidy – even beautiful. A pleasant work environment isn’t just a bonus or a “nice to have.” Studies show…
What’s the real cost? Have you ever been undecided when buying an appliance, trying to choose between a standard or select model? You probably wished you had some data to help you make an informed choice. Well, by studying costs and crunching the numbers, maintenance engineers at West Point determined that what looked like a…
Our CitySoil Farm is fostering community engagement as we help people learn about the value of our recycled products.
For new interns at WTD, touring the South Treatment Plant was a first behind the scenes look for many.
Through a sense of purpose and the dedication of countless volunteers, our WaterWorks grants are supporting the kind of environmental progress that makes our neighborhoods – and our region – an even better place to live.
