Climate Change and Drought
Current Precipitation Summary, SeaTac Rain Gage
King County Climate Change Plan
How King County seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to projected climate change impacts, and embed mitigation and adaptation into county policy decisions. The plan incorporates issues, goals and actions related to water supply.
Municipal Water Supply breakout session results, King County Climate Change Conference
Review a summary report describing anticipated affects of global warming on water supply in Washington State with proposed adaptation strategies. Also, look up the water supply session agenda, presentations, and speaker credentials and biographies.
Water Conservation Program
Find water conservation tips to apply at home and read examples of how King County saves water in going about its everyday business. Includes Rain Barrel Sources and Info for the Pacific Northwest.
Frequently Asked Questions about Drought
Read facts about drought and water conservation tips for dealing with it in relation to forestry, agriculture, yard care and around the home, courtesy of WSU-King County Cooperative Extension office.
Drinking Water
Where Does Your Drinking Water Come From?
Where do you get your Drinking Water?
Read an overview describing the variety of water sources and systems that King County residents rely on for their drinking water, including graphs to illustrate our reliance on different sources.
Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Results, 2001-2004
Report of groundwater samples from across King County, providing measurements of well depth and concentrations of nitrate, arsenic, lead, and iron in well water.
Cascade Water Alliance (external link)
Learn about a group of cities and districts working to supply drinking water for east King County to meet expected growth needs in the future, and read the memorandum of understanding (Acrobat pdf) between King County and Cascade Water Alliance related to water resource and supply planning.
Seattle Public Utilities (external link)
Look up water rates and billing contacts ,and learn about water meters, water quality, and how to reduce water use from City of Seattle, the region's largest water utility.
Groundwater Interactive Map
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Zoom in to view the full set of GIS layers including well locations, groundwater sampling sites, wellhead protection areas, water services areas, property boundaries and aerial imageryamong other things. Viewing information about individual map features may take some practice: choose the "active" (or queryable) map layer from the layers list on the right side of the page, select the  tool from the left side, and click on a layer's area , line or point to display associated data.
King County Water Utility Boundaries Map (Acrobat pdf file)
View a map showing locations of water districts responsible for servicing and billing of tap water across the county. Updated in June, 2006.
King County Code - Critical Areas, Wells and Drinking Water (Acrobat pdf files)
Water and Sewer Comprehensive Plans - Title 13
Covers certificates of water availability, wells and other water facilities in rural and urban areas, and operation of new Group A water systems in rural areas.
Critical aquifer recharge areas - Sections 21A.24.311 to 21A.24.316
Map, recharge area classifications, and development standards.
Development Standards, Adequate Water Supply - Section 21A.28.040
"All new development shall be served by an adequate public or private water supply system".
King County Programs
King County Groundwater Management
Learn how King County is working to protect its aquifers for clean and sustainable water supplies over the long-term.
Public Health Drinking Water Program
Information and resources for King County residents who rely on private wells to supply water for drinking. The Department of Health page provides fact sheets, rules and regulations, well water covenents and fees for residents of unincorporated King County.
Reclaimed Water Program
Read how King County's wastewater filtration and purification system reclaims "used" water to reduce consumption of pure tap water for non-potable purposes such as industrial processes and irrigation.
Water Supply Planning and Coordination
Regional Water Supply Planning in and around King County, Washington
Working site for multiple agencies and organizations to collaborate on data, information, and pragmatic tools to assist in water resource and supply planning in the region.
Countywide Water Supply Planning
In February, 2005, King County and Cascade Water Alliance (Cascade, external link) initiated a water supply planning process as a critical step in meeting growing challenges to the drinking water supply across King County. For details, please read the Memorandum of Understanding or MOU (Acrobat pdf) signed by Executive Ron Sims and Cascade Water Alliance Board Chair Grant Degginger. This MOU commits King County and Cascade to a planning process that is expected to include:
- Clearly defining long-term water needs -- both instream and out of stream -- factoring in prudent water-conservation and demand-management practices;
- Prioritizing future water supplies to meet such needs, including alternative sources such as reclaimed water, "a drought-proof source that will be available in large quantities from the regional Brightwater treatment plant starting in 2010," as County Executive Ron Sims has said;
- Identifying new water supply and required infrastructure needs, and who is responsible for making them happen;
- Collaboratively planning for times of drought and water shortage, such as what the region faced in 2005; and
- Establishing policy guidelines for processing water-rights applications and for other water-resource management decisions at the state and federal levels.
King County and Cascade Water Alliance encourage other utilities and stakeholders to participate in the planning process. For more information, please read about King County's water supply planning efforts and contact Dave Monthie or Jane Lamensdorf-Bucher for more information.
Regional Water Supply Planning
Regional Water Supply Planning (external link)
This voluntary effort was established to develop planning-level technical data, information, and tools that can be used by paticipating agencies and organizations to help them manage their respective water systems and resources, including water supply planning activities.
Central Puget Sound Water Suppliers' Forum (external link)
This is a cooperative effort of water suppliers and local entities that was formed to address current and future water supply issues, including water supply planning, environmental stewardship, and other issues currently facing the region with regard to providing water for fish and people.
Water for Fish Habitat
Instream Flow Studies
Normative Flow Studies
Find new analysis of how stream flow characteristics such as timing and magnitude of flows affect native aquatic species in our lowland streams. This page provides reports describing hydrologic conditions in King County watersheds, a review of literature that examines relationships between flows and biology, and initial indicators of those relationships that organizations may apply in polices and programs.
Green-Duwamish Water Quality Assessment
Analysis of water quality factors affecting salmon habitat in the Green-Duwamish system, including water temperature.
Salmon Conservation Plans
WRIA 7, Snohomish Watershed Plan, including Snoqualmie and Skykomish drainages in King County
WRIA 8, Greater Lake Washington Watershed Plan
WRIA 9, Green/Duwamish River and Central Puget Sound Watershed Plan
Related References
King County Watersheds
Find river, stream and drainage basin related information by area including the Central Puget Sound, Cedar River/Lake Washington, Sammamish, Snoqualmie-Skykomish, and Green/Duwamish River watersheds.
King County Annual Growth Reports
Track detailed growth and housing trends over the most recent decade.
Hydrography - Interactive Map
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Zoom in to view and query GIS datasets including lakes and streams in King County, drainage areas, King County wetlands inventory, National wetlands inventory, and display aerial photos and USGS topographic map images.
King County Annual Growth Reports
Track detailed growth and housing trends over the most recent decade.
Office of Drinking Water, Washington State Department of Health (external link)
Water Resources, Washington State Department of Ecology (external link)
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