Oct. 21, 2025 at 6:00 am Updated Oct. 21, 2025 at 6:00 am By Conrad Swanson, Seattle Times climate reporter In a severe drought year, like this one, some farmers and ranchers in the Yakima River Basin come to expect a letter … Continue reading WA cities face unprecedented water cuts amid drought
By Conrad Swanson, Seattle Times climate reporter Oct. 2, 2025 Drought conditions east of the Cascade crest are so dire that state officials plan to cut off water for farmers, ranchers and more, something they’ve never done before. Reservoirs in the Yakima … Continue reading Unprecedented water rationing to begin in WA’s Yakima Basin
Collecting and properly disposing of “forever chemicals” Ecology is partnering with fire departments across the state to help protect firefighters from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – or PFAS – in firefighting foams. Read more… Continue reading State launches disposal program for toxic firefighting foams
The new timeline could slow cleanup in some communities by nearly a decade. The chemicals, widely used in the military, are linked to cancers and other health risks. By Hiroko Tabuchi (The New York Times) Sept. 23, 2025 The Department of … Continue reading Defense Department Delays Cleanup of ‘Forever Chemicals’ Nationwide
Groundwater is declining across Eastern Washington’s complex, interconnected aquifer system, as people draw on it for irrigation, drinking and other uses at a pace that threatens its sustainability, according to a new study by a Washington State University researcher. Read … Continue reading WSU study offers detailed look at declining groundwater in regional aquifer system
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
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
On the latest episode of Action Hour, the Whidbey Environmental Action Network’s podcast, host Amanda Bullis talks with John Lovie about the current state of drinking water on Whidbey and Camano Islands. Listen Now and check out John’s Substack, Mostly … Continue reading John Lovie talks Water on WEAN Action Hour
The Office of Drinking Water kicks off Drinking Water Week with the announcement of the Drinking Water Week Award winners, which includes Whidbey Island Water Systems Association’s board member Jeff Tasoff. Congratulations Jeff, and the rest of the award winners. … Continue reading Congratulations 2025 Drinking Water Week Award Winners!
Media contact: 360-664-1116 or media@utc.wa.gov Docket number: UW-240151 LACEY, Wash. – Yesterday, the Utilities and Transportation Commission rejected a revised proposed settlement submitted by Cascadia Water, LLC (Cascadia Water) and commission staff on Jan. 22, 2025. The settlement would have increased Cascadia Water’s revenue … Continue reading State regulators reject Cascadia Water settlement, revenue increase
As reported in the Whidbey News Times on Saturday, the U.S. Navy will host four public meetings to inform the community about its recent and ongoing efforts to test drinking water wells in sampling areas near Naval Air Station Whidbey … Continue reading Navy to host public meetings to address well water investigation
A massive aquifer is stored just beneath volcanic rocks at the crest of the central Oregon Cascades – possibly the largest aquifer of its kind in the U.S., according to researchers at the University of Oregon. The discovery could have … Continue reading Researchers find huge buried reservoir atop Oregon’s Cascade Range
link By KENDRA PIERRE-LOUIS, Bloomberg (Printed Seattle Times Jan 15, 2025) Shannan Walton was at a conference in Utah for water workers — the often-invisible employees who ensure Americans have clean tap water and working sewer systems — when she … Continue reading America’s next water crisis? A lack of experienced workers
The change would clarify when a satellite management agency is needed to ensure safe drinking water. As reported in the Saturday, January 4, 2025 edition of the South Whidbey Record, the current issues with limited and costly SMA coverage affecting … Continue reading Changes proposed in water system management
A new issue of DOH’s ODW Now newsletter is available for September 2024 LINK Continue reading ODW Now — September 2024 Edition