Water in washington and other utilities (Seattle: how much, prices, homeowner)

[artriotnow]

I understand that water is piped in from other states. Is there no fresh water in the whole state? Do people have wells or water supplies from lakes and rivers in the state?

How much are utilities in general including connection fees. Is electric used more or gas? Do people use any green energy sources or alternative energies?

[Hemlock140]

Whoever told you that is nuts.

Most of the water here is from local aquifers in smaller cities, private wells out in the country, and local river (mountain snowmelt) in Seattle.

The water and sewage treatment prices here are among the highest in the country mostly due to the cost of protecting the salmon streams.
Seattle is at $4.63/CCF water and $10.28/CCF sewer with 2010 increases planned.

I would say that electric heat is more common statewide but in the Seattle area and eastside suburbs almost everyone has gas. Seattle electricity is very inexpensive at about $0.06/KWH.

In our area alternative energy sources are not practical for the homeowners. Not enough sun for solar, wind power is hazardous to the protected species of birds.

[seattlenextyear]

More and more people in Seattle proper are switching to solar: it works on cloudy days. Its not as practical here as say, California, but people I know who have it are happy with it.

Wind power is becoming increasingly popular in the Eastern part of the state (btw, 100x more birds get killed by outdoor cats than wind farms: get rid of the cats first, not the windmills).

70% of Seattle's electricity is hydroelectric. 35-50% in the suburbs.
Seattle's city water is all from the Cedar or Tolt River Watersheds, relying on snowmelt. Some outlying towns use ground water.

[godhead]

Originally Posted by artriotnow

I understand that water is piped in from other states. Is there no fresh water in the whole state? Do people have wells or water supplies from lakes and rivers in the state?

The Hoh Rainforest in Washington State is one of the largest in the U.S..

Washington state has more glaciers than the other 48 contiguous states combined.

By volume, Washington State's Columbia is the fourth-largest river in the U.S.