Water on Whidbey — July 2025 Newsletter
Happy summer, the July Newsletter is here with the latest news from Whidbey Island Water Systems Association and our partners. Enjoy! Continue reading Water on Whidbey — July 2025 Newsletter
Author: WIWSA
WA DWSRF Workshop, July 31, 2025
The Washington State Department of Health Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and Whidbey Island Water Systems Association cordially invite the Island County water systems and outlying area to attend a one-day workshop. The topics include: funding & program updates; … Continue reading WA DWSRF Workshop, July 31, 2025
Office of Drinking Water Announces Restructuring
From Department of Health ODW: To serve our partners and communities, the Office of Drinking Water is embracing necessary structural changes in response to the loss of two of our upper-level managers. We believe the change will maintain customer support, … Continue reading Office of Drinking Water Announces Restructuring
This feels personal
PFAS found in beer John Lovie has a new post as part of his series on PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, “Forever Chemicals”) in drinking water. You can read all the previous PFAS posts here. Read today’s post here. Continue reading This feels personal
A Data-Driven Approach for Assessing Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Applied to Puget Sound, Washington State, USA
Abstract Sea level rise (SLR) will exert pressures on assets with social value, including things such as infrastructure and habitats, in the coastal zone. Assessing and ranking the vulnerability of those assets can provide insights that support planning and projects … Continue reading A Data-Driven Approach for Assessing Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Applied to Puget Sound, Washington State, USA
Whidbey ‘serial volunteer’ wins stewardship award
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
EPA Adds Nine Additional PFAS to Toxics Release Inventory List
EPA Adds Nine Additional PFAS to Toxics Release Inventory List | NRWA WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the automatic addition of nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list. … Continue reading EPA Adds Nine Additional PFAS to Toxics Release Inventory List
EPA Releases New PFAS Analytic Tools
EPA Releases New PFAS Analytic Tools | NRWA Interactive webpage provides information on PFAS sources across the U.S. Jan 5, 2023 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new interactive webpage, called the “PFAS Analytic … Continue reading EPA Releases New PFAS Analytic Tools
2023 PFAS Cost Recovery Update
2023 PFAS Cost Recovery Update | NRWA More information on a PFAS lawsuit Continue reading 2023 PFAS Cost Recovery Update
Emergency Management Community Emergency Response Team
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks. Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced. Continue reading Emergency Management Community Emergency Response Team
Water on Whidbey January 2023
Investors pressure top firms to halt production of toxic ‘forever chemicals’
Investors from some of the world’s largest firms are pressuring chemical companies to end production of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals”, which shareholders say represent an enormous and growing threat to manufacturers’ bottom lines. Continue reading Investors pressure top firms to halt production of toxic ‘forever chemicals’
Public Health Assessment Training
The Public Health Assessment Training (PHAT) provides with the basics to conduct the public health assessment or PHA. The PHA is the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)’s method to evaluate community exposures to hazardous substances from hazardous waste sites. Continue reading Public Health Assessment Training
Bylaws Updated
At the Special Member Meeting held on January 5th, 2023, the membership voted to accept the Proposed Bylaw Changes previously posted. The Bylaws page has been updated to reflect the changes. Continue reading Bylaws Updated
PFAS One Water Risk Communication Messaging for Water Sector Professionals
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of increasing concern to the water sector and the public. It is critical that water systems continue to be the trusted sources of information for their customers, especially regarding emerging contaminants such as PFAS. Therefore, water utilities must proactively reach out to customers; be prepared to respond to questions; and communicate clearly about all aspects of PFAS. This project provides communications materials water systems can use as they interact with customers, regulators, and other stakeholders. The materials are provided in two toolkits: one for One Water messaging and one for messaging specific to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. Research partner: American Water Works Association. Published in 2022. Continue reading PFAS One Water Risk Communication Messaging for Water Sector Professionals