Category: News

News, South Whidbey Record

Whidbey ‘serial volunteer’ wins stewardship award

WIWSA

An avid volunteer involved in countless projects around Puget Sound recently claimed the 2023 Jan Holmes award.

South Whidbey resident John Lovie is this year’s recipient of the annual award, which is named in memory of Jan Holmes, a marine scientist, educator and champion for stewardship of the marine environment who passed away in 2011.

The Island County Marine Resources Committee, Sound Water Stewards and Washington State University Extension presented Lovie with the award a few days ahead of Sound Waters University, which is when the winner of the award is usually announced.

Continue reading Whidbey ‘serial volunteer’ wins stewardship award

Circle of Blue, News, PFAS

‘Forever chemicals’ are everywhere. The battle over who pays to clean them up is just getting started.

WIWSA

‘Forever chemicals’ are everywhere. The battle over who pays to clean them up is just getting started. – POLITICO State and local governments across the country are suing manufacturers of toxic chemicals that are contaminating much of the nation’s drinking … Continue reading ‘Forever chemicals’ are everywhere. The battle over who pays to clean them up is just getting started.

News, Seattle Times

Whidbey Island waters undergoing testing will be dyed red

WIWSA

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/whidbey-island-waters-undergoing-testing-will-be-dyed-red-on-monday/ The waters of Whidbey Island will run red Monday with the fluorescent hue of rhodamine, a non-toxic dye being used by the state to survey wastewater movement and its impact on local shellfish. The Washington Department of Health is evaluating … Continue reading Whidbey Island waters undergoing testing will be dyed red

News, PFAS

Commissioner Bacon’s newsletter discusses PFAS

WIWSA

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WACOISLAND/bulletins/327e2fe …I want to share with you … a meeting to discuss PFAS in our drinking water, with John Lovie, president of the Whidbey Island Water Systems Associations; Keith Higman, Island County Public Health Director; and Heather Korteum, Island County Environmental Health Manager. On June 15th the EPA announced new Lifetime Health Advisories (LHAs) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) which in some cases are over 10,000 times lower than the LHA numbers we have been working with in the water systems and private wells around the Navy facilities on Whidbey Island. This means that levels we thought were safe … Continue reading Commissioner Bacon’s newsletter discusses PFAS

News

Saltwater Intrusion, a “Slow Poison” to East Coast Drinking Water

WIWSA

Saltwater Intrusion, a “Slow Poison” to East Coast Drinking Water – Circle of Blue Saltwater intrusion refers to the landward movement of seawater into freshwater systems. It’s a game of density: saltwater is denser than freshwater, so it remains underneath the freshwater in water tables. When the freshwater volume decreases, saltwater begins to take its place. Mixing then occurs, contaminating the whole supply. At high concentrations of salt in drinking water, people can develop hypertension, which exacerbates pre-existing health conditions and puts the elderly at higher risk of stroke. Continue reading Saltwater Intrusion, a “Slow Poison” to East Coast Drinking Water