Our employees plan, design, build and operate treatment facilities to clean wastewater for the region. As part of that, they often participate in teaching students about the wide variety of careers in clean water, especially as they relate to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Employees are also often involved in local and regional equity…
We don’t just treat wastewater! One of the things our utility does is education on water issues and solutions for students and community members. When we couldn’t do in-person teaching due to COVID-19, our utility’s education team adapted many of our programs to be online. Recently, we partnered with the Snohomish Conservation District to offer…
Across King County, there are gardens on rooftops, behind buildings, and nestled in unused parking lots. These spaces draw people from their apartments, homes, and living spaces. People connect with the land—even in the most unlikely of places. Community gardens are a public good. They provide greenspaces in concrete jungles. They help combat food insecurity…
Let’s face it, when you think of Green Jobs or STEM careers, you don’t immediately think of jobs involving wastewater. But wastewater jobs are all about keeping our water resources clean for now and the future. Each year, our utility’s education team introduces local youth and college students to careers that keep our water clean.…
CitySoil Farm at King County’s South Treatment Plant in Renton was able to donate 3,762 lbs. of fresh, culturally-relevant fruits and vegetables to the White Center Food Bank this year – even thought we had to cancel our in-person education programs and volunteers. In a typical year, our utility’s education team brings hundreds of students…
Our business is unconventional – and that works for a lot of our employees We get it. Any of us who work here at King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) have been asked what we do for a living – and we’ve seen the smirks and heard the giggles when we explain we help run…
Many developing Asian countries face unique challenges delivering quality wastewater services. In an effort to mentor these communities and help them protect human health and the environment, a team of our employees participated in information sharing through the Water Operators Partnership (WOP) that supports improved sanitation in Mongolia. The partnership is financially sponsored by the Asian Development…
When local schools began closing in March 2020 due to COVID-19, our utility’s education team quickly adapted the normal in-person field trips to live, virtual programs that fit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
This July, our utility held an online program for high school-aged students to learn how to help protect clean water in our region. The Clean Water Ambassadors Certificate Program, done in partnership with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, ran for four weeks and was open to all high school-aged youth in the King County…
Are you hosting remote meetings? King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) would like to share some advice that will make your meetings more accessible. Not too long ago, a pandemic might mean intense social isolation for some. Today, technology lets us stay connected in real time, if not in person. Remote interactions are a lifeline…
King County Wastewater Treatment 