King County is working to control all our combined sewer overflows (CSOs) through several strategies. One way we are reducing CSOs is through natural drainage solutions, also known as green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), which use plants, trees, and soil to soak up the rain.These solutions help our neighborhoods manage stormwater naturally and on-site, and compliment traditional infrastructure improvements being made by the county.
Recently, Northwest Now featured our work in an in-depth news story: https://www.kbtc.org/northwest-now/ (Scroll down to recent additions and click on “Making the Connections – Oct 29 Stormwater threatens Puget Sound. King County staff and work featured starting minute 12:44).
We are committed to expanding GSI opportunities as part of the King County Executive’s Clean Water Healthy Habitat and within the Lower Duwamish Watershed. Here are some examples of that work and investments that have been made over the past decade: https://kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/dnrp/wtd/capital-projects/WDuw/docs/2111_WTD-commitment-to-gsi-solutions_Nov2021.ashx?la=en
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WaterWorks Grants provide $4 million every 2 years for community projects that protect water quality -
King County supports job programs like DIRT Corps to develop GSI skills -
GSI Mini Grants help private property owners install rain gardens, cisterns and other GSI -
RainWise helps private property owners install rain gardens and cisterns