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Posts for Water Resources

Local Water Systems Grapple with 'Forever Chemicals'

March 14, 2024  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Water Resources ,  Water Utilities

Forever chemicals, or PFAS, have been detected in water systems across the state thanks to mandatory testing requirements that began in 2023. What are local agencies doing on both a short-term and long-term basis to address the problem?

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Legislature Addresses Whatcom County v. Hirst

January 24, 2018  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Water Resources ,  New Legislation and Regulations

A new law addressing Whatcom County v. Hirst was recently enacted, providing some clarity and a way in which some development can be permitted in rural areas. Legal Consultant Jill Dvorkin reviews the major points of the legislation in this post. 

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The Effect of Hirst on Non-GMA Counties and Issues Other Than Water

November 9, 2016  by  Neil Caulkins
Category:  Guest Author ,  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Water Resources

This is the fourth part of a five-part series discussing the state Supreme Court’s decision in Whatcom County v. Hirst. This article considers the potential impact of Hirst on counties that do not plan under the GMA and whether Hirst has application to issues other than water.

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What is a “Determination of Water Availability” Under Hirst?

November 3, 2016  by  Neil Caulkins
Category:  Guest Author ,  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Water Resources

This is the third post of a five-part series discussing the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Whatcom County v. Hirst. In Hirst, the Washington Supreme Court made clear that counties have the responsibility under the Growth Management Act to make determinations of water availability for development permit approval. This post discusses what exactly is a “determination of availability” and how it is different than a “determination of adequacy” under chapter 19.27 RCW.

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Approaching Your County’s Post Hirst Water Resource Responsibilities

October 31, 2016  by  Neil Caulkins
Category:  Guest Author ,  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Water Resources

This is the second post of a five-part series discussing the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Whatcom County v. Hirst. This post provides an overview of the water resource responsibilities and options that GMA counties now have in light of the Hirst decision. 

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New Ruling Affirms GMA Counties’ Big Role in Water Resource Planning

October 27, 2016  by  Neil Caulkins
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Water Resources

This is the first post of a five-part series discussing the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Whatcom County v. Hirst. This post provides a general overview of the decision, which held that counties have the responsibility under the GMA to make determinations of water availability for development permit approval and cannot defer to Ecology or rely upon the decision of others when making these determinations.
 

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Are We Conserving Too Much Water?

May 29, 2012  by  John W. Carpita, PE
Category:  Water Resources

The politically and ecologically correct answer is "no."  Potable water is a relatively finite resource and we – both individuals and communities – should always seek to identify wasteful water usage and reduce it.  However . . .
Many water utilities across Washington State (and the rest of the country as well) have had to raise rates and revise their rate structures to recover fixed costs...

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