Water

77 Stories

Science

Want some good news? King County streams are getting healthier

Several 20-year long studies show that King County streams have fewer pollutants compared to previous samples, despite a population boom. In one study, a quarter of sites improved in water quality while only 3% declined in health.
Natalie Akane Newcomb
Environment

How 'forever chemicals' got in the groundwater west of Spokane

Seattle Times reporters Isabella Breda & Manuel Villa talk with Soundside about PFAS chemicals in the drinking water near the city of Spokane.
Diana Opong

Jason Burrows
Government

This water taxi captain prevented a runaway barge from ramming into downtown Seattle. Here's his account

Captain Dan Krehbiel was steering a water taxi boat from West Seattle on Thursday when he spotted a runaway barge -- a six-story wall of steel containers -- headed at a clipped pace of the Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium. What follows is Krehbiel’s account of what happened.
Patricia Murphy

Jason Pagano
Water usage around Seattle is down, but the recent rain still won't help reservoirs
Dyer Oxley
World

Making cities 'spongy' could help fight flooding — by steering the water underground

Almost all of China's medium and large cities are susceptible to floods. Some experts are promoting a solution called sponge cities — urban landscapes that are softer and meant to absorb more water.
John Ruwitch
Environment

The U.S. needs minerals for green tech. Will Western mines have enough water?

As the U.S. plans new mines for copper, lithium and other metals to use in green technologies, mining projects in the West could threaten scarce water supplies.
Julia Simon
Environment

One way to help coho salmon survive NW pollution
Natalie Akane Newcomb
Crime

Tri-Cities advocates fighting human trafficking work to slow crime during busiest summer weekend

As the Tri-Cities gears up for boat races – one of the biggest events of the year – local human trafficking advocates are gearing up to help. This is the first year that local resource centers are trying a new tactic.
Courtney Flatt
Environment

Another three bite the dust: Heat melts Mount Rainier glaciers

A warming climate has claimed three glaciers on Mount Rainier, home to more ice than any American mountain south of Alaska.
John Ryan
Environment

South Park gets ready for the next flood

It’s been six months since parts of South Park were flooded and some people are still waiting to go home. Washington Senator Patty Murray is working to secure three million federal dollars for wastewater and drainage improvements in the neighborhood. We’ll hear how the recovery is going for South Park community members.
Patricia Murphy

Jennie Cecil Moore

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