Sustainability
King County protects public health and the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recycling valuable resources. We deliver with a focus on sustainability.
Recycled Water
Renewable Energy
Loop® Biosolids
Climate Change
Sustainable Building Practices
Energy-Efficient Operations
Community Engagement
Educational Programs
Equity and Social Justice
WaterWorks Grant Program
Clean Water Investments
Careers in Pollution PreventionTogether, the environmental, social, and economic sustainability practices of WTD support thriving, resilient neighborhoods and communities throughout the Puget Sound region.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is defined as the long-term viability, health, and robustness of environmental, social, and economic systems. For WTD, this means:
- healthy natural environments
- equity, social justice, and vibrant communities
- cost-effective capital investments, operations, and maintenance
- resilience to future disruptions and climate adaptation
Additional resources
- 2021 WTD Sustainability Highlights
- King County Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP)
- King County Green Building Ordinance
- King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan
- King County Sustainable Purchasing
View King County’s demolition video to learn more about how we practice sustainability and environmental protection during construction!
For more information, please contact:
Heidi Sowell
heidi.sowell@kingcounty.gov
206-477-5548
2021 Highlights -- Sustainability in King County's Wastewater Treatment Division
Blog: Clean water stories
Making projects sustainable, resilient, and equitable, September 15, 2021
Restoration
Help us protect recovering landscapes, October 30, 2019
Green funding/awards (WaterWorks, Green Grants)
WaterWorks grants funding 69 community projects in 2020, December 30, 2019
Green Globe Awards announced for 2019, April 26, 2019
Go salmon! WaterWorks grant supports Finn Hill Neighborhood’s work to protect Denny Creek, March 28, 2018
Education
The community that farms together, stays together, August 3, 2018
Wastewater education and outreach programs prepare region for climate change, May 18, 2017
Employee efforts
They’re not your usual beachcombers, April 23, 2019
WTD awards, community efforts toward sustainability
King County’s Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station celebrates Platinum Achievement Award for Sustainability, November 26, 2018
King County turns the past into a sustainable future in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood, February 21, 2018
Resource recovery
WTD Resource Recovery hosts visitor from Down Under to share our Biosolids expertise, May 17, 2019
Brown is the new ‘green’ as South Plant becomes a major local source of renewable biofuels, May 24, 2018