News releases

Mar. 29, 2024
Research by Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County drives historic state law banning sale of lead-contaminated cookware
Research into lead-contaminated cookware by the Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County has resulted in a new state law prohibiting the sale of cookware tainted with the metal that is linked to a wide range of serious health concerns.

Mar. 28, 2024
King County secures $500 million commitment from EPA for critical wastewater investments that protect water quality and prepare for climate impacts while lowering finance costs
The King County Wastewater Treatment Division secured a $498.3 million loan package from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to complete 14 infrastructure projects that will help improve water quality, while saving millions in interest costs.

Feb. 29, 2024
King County crews quickly stop a combined sewer overflow that occurred overnight in South Park during heavy rainfall
King County Wastewater Treatment Division crews responded just after 2 a.m. today to an electrical malfunction at a pump station in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood, quickly stopping the overflow and initiating a cleanup.

Feb. 22, 2024
VIDEO: ‘We were going to have to build a new workforce right here in King County’: How an award-winning approach to workforce development produced a new generation of wastewater talent
Facing a wave of retirements in the wastewater treatment industry, King County's Wastewater Treatment Division transformed its approach to workforce development to recruit and train the next generation of talent.

Feb. 8, 2024
Review and comment on a proposal to make recycling, waste reduction services more convenient in northeast King County
A draft environmental impact statement is now available for review for a new state-of-the-art recycling and transfer station in northeast King County. The new King County Solid Waste Division facility will offer major improvements over the current station, including expanded recycling services, and compaction equipment to reduce traffic.

Feb. 6, 2024
Executive Constantine appoints John Taylor as new director for Department of Natural Resources and Parks, selecting a proven leader to reinforce King County’s reputation as a trusted environmental steward
John Taylor, who has succeeded on multiple fronts as the first director of King County’s Department of Local Services, will return to the Department of Natural Resources and Parks as its new director after being appointed by Executive Constantine.

Feb. 6, 2024
Snoqualmie Watershed Forum seeks resident from NE unincorporated King County to help guide salmon recovery work
The Snoqualmie Watershed Forum is looking for a resident of the Snoqualmie and South Fork Skykomish river areas of unincorporated King County to join their group that helps guide salmon recovery efforts. The application deadline is Feb. 18.

Feb. 1, 2024
King County is making it easy to comment on the Flood Management Plan that will guide actions to better prepare the region for more frequent, severe flooding
King County will host two online meetings – on Feb. 15 and March 7 – where the public can learn about and comment on the final draft of the Flood Management Plan, which will guide actions to better prepare the region for increasing flood risks.

Jan. 24, 2024
Climate-resilient infrastructure: King County’s new treatment station in Georgetown has already protected the Duwamish River and Puget Sound from 32 million gallons of pollution
King County’s state-of-the-art Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station is one of several climate-resilient capital projects that are better protecting Puget Sound from stormwater and wastewater.

Dec. 11, 2023
Divers connect 2,000 feet of pipe under Lake Washington to improve wastewater treatment, restore habitat, enhance I-90 trail
Crews with unique expertise in underwater construction are placing pipe under the East Channel of Lake Washington. When completed, the new conveyance line will provide reliable sewer service to Eastside cities, while improving lake habitat and the popular I-90 Trail.

Dec. 6, 2023
King County restores full wastewater operations following system disruptions during record rainstorm
King County wastewater crews quickly restored full operation at a wet weather treatment station in north Seattle during Tuesday’s record rainfall, while disinfected stormwater and wastewater flows were temporarily diverted from South Treatment Plant in Renton to a deepwater outfall in Puget Sound during the storm.

Dec. 6, 2023
Executive Constantine announces $109 million for 52 conservation projects that will build climate resiliency, increase access to open space, and advance food sovereignty
More than 50 projects across King County will receive a combined $109 million in open space preservation funding after a plan proposed by Executive Constantine was approved by the King County Council. This is the first round of funding for open space preservation since King County voters last year approved restoring Conservation Futures Program to its original rate.

Dec. 4, 2023
More rain gardens, fewer toxics, restored wetlands: Executive Constantine announces $5.4 million to support community-led projects that improve water quality
Sixty-one community-led projects will receive $5.4 million in King County WaterWorks grant funding after the County Council approved Executive Constantine’s proposal..

2023 news releases