A reminder that the county will be holding Open Houses in February at various locations on Whidbey and Camano Islands on the Comprehensive Plan. This is early in the planning process and a perfect opportunity to learn more about how … Continue reading Island County to hold Open House Events
Department of Ecology is hosting a webinar on January 31st at 5:30 pm. Click here for more details and to pre-register. Continue reading Questions about the Nooksack adjudication?
CORRECTION—In the January newsletter, there was a notice that the Navy will be hosting two Open House Public Meetings on February 1st which included an incorrect phone number for those who might want to request a sampling appointment. The notice … Continue reading Navy hosting Public Meetings on water sampling
The Office of Drinking Water released information about some important loan and grant programs available this year along with Emergency Rule changes that went into effect on December 29, 2023. The application windows for the announced programs are either open … Continue reading ODW Revolving Fund Programs Announced
Chris Kelley, the Island County Hydrogeologist, spoke at the 2023 Annual Meeting in December. He presented a timeline of the county’s hydrogeological database, concluding with a demonstration of the latest toolset. The county’s effort to capture relevant data on each … Continue reading Island County Hydrogeology Data
‘Forever chemicals’ in drinking water found at Whidbey ‘slice of heaven’ | South Whidbey Record For as long as she can remember, Tamara Ross’ family hasn’t liked the taste of drinking water at Harrington Lagoon. So they’ve always brought bottled water to their vacation homes in the idyllic community east of Coupeville on Whidbey Island. The family has owned property there since 1955. They now have three homes right next to each other. “I love it,” said Ross, who goes there about once a month. “It’s our slice of heaven.” Continue reading ‘Forever chemicals’ in drinking water found at Whidbey ‘slice of heaven’ | South Whidbey Record
Arizona has determined that there is not enough groundwater for all of the future housing construction that has already been approved in the Phoenix area, and will stop developers from building some new subdivisions, a sign of looming trouble in the West and other places where overuse, drought and climate change are straining water supplies.
The decision by state officials marks the beginning of the end to the explosive development that has made the Phoenix metropolitan region the fastest growing in the country. Continue reading Arizona limits new construction in Phoenix area, citing shrinking water supply
Jenna Vogel and her husband moved to East Selah, Yakima County, in fall 2021. Days after settling in, the Yakima Training Center shared a news release informing residents that a dozen homes in the area had concentrations of forever chemicals in their water that exceeded federal drinking water standards. Their house was among those affected. Continue reading WA family filters water to keep out PFAS. Where do dirty filters go?
https://mailchi.mp/8de6ba40a1a0/nrwas-rural-water-wire-for-3046664?e=b780b0ee8b DUNCAN, Okla. — Kidde Fenwal, a well-known manufacturer of fire protection and suppression systems, has recently filed for bankruptcy.Kidde Fenwal has been associated with the use and disposal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), resulting in significant contamination to water supplies across the U.S. The potential liability and cost to clean up PFAS contamination will be substantial. Many water systems may have a legitimate claim against Kidde Fenwal for contributing to this situation. Continue reading Legal Action Required in Response to Kidde Fenwal Bankruptcy
As the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act celebrate their 50th anniversaries, they are failing rural Americans. Continue reading Can I buy bottled water with food stamps?
Association vice-president and Town of Coupeville Public Works Director Joe Grogan received a Grace Under Pressure award, while Assocation director and former president John Lovie received a Lifetime Achievement award. Continue reading WIWSA Board Members honored for Drinking Water Week
Water agencies endorse Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act | Wastewater Digest (wwdmag.com) New legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate may help hold polluters accountable for PFAS cleanup costs under CERCLA — and the act is supported by prominent water … Continue reading Water agencies endorse Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act
Where did high levels of PFAS in San Juan Island water come from? | The Seattle Times SAN JUAN ISLAND — Every night, before the Ross family sits down at the dinner table and shares their highs and lows — … Continue reading Where did high levels of PFAS in San Juan Island water come from?
The Washington State Department of Ecology has updated the What’s In My Neighborhood (wa.gov) map to include the PFAS in drinking water sites in Island County that meet Ecology’s criteria for further investigation and cleanup. Visiting the site and clicking … Continue reading Ecology Map of PFAS in Island County