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
In May 2024, we began the adjudication process in Whatcom County Superior Court and notified all involved water users. In the months after the case begins, all water users will need to file a claim describing their water use, so the court can inventory all legal water rights in order. Nooksack – Washington State Department of Ecology Continue reading Nooksack – Washington State Department of Ecology
‘Not a finish line’: For water providers, new PFAS rule is first step | HeraldNet.com The EPA’s new rule only applies to water suppliers that serve 15 or more residents, known as “Group A” water systems. At least 1 million Washington residents have private wells or use smaller water suppliers, called “Group B” systems. The Safe Drinking Water Act doesn’t protect these wells, some of which are near Harrington Lagoon. Those wells also likely have PFAS contamination, Lovie said. “They’re not eligible for any of the loans or grants that Group A water systems can get to take care of … Continue reading ‘Not a finish line’: For water providers, new PFAS rule is first step
Panoche official accused of epic California water heist – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com) “They told me they were investigating my boss for water theft, and they wanted to know if I wanted to go to federal prison with him,” Zavala said in his testimony. Panoche official accused of epic California water heist – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com) Continue reading Feds say he masterminded an epic California water heist. Some farmers say he’s their Robin Hood