Partners in Water Program

Partners in Water (PiW) is a WTD-led program that brings together local CBOs and internal WTD project teams to center community priorities and perspectives in decision-making, strengthen partnerships, and improve environmental and social outcomes for all.

Partners in Water was co-designed by community representatives and WTD staff and allows us to move beyond traditional partnership models and improve the way WTD engages with the communities it serves. We do this through ongoing collaboration and co-creation that will lead to more equitable and inclusive water infrastructure services.

Who we partner with

We believe long-term community partnerships are essential to making our work stronger, more just, and more effective. We work with CBOs who represent diverse communities across King County. Our partners are committed to environmental and social equity, and they help ensure that public programs and infrastructure serve communities in ways that are culturally responsive, accessible, and inclusive.

Rooted in King County’s equity and social justice values, our PiW Grant Program provides fair compensation to CBOs who are selected to participate in each year long project.

If you're a CBO interested in learning more about our grant program and future opportunities to be part of PiW projects, we'd love to connect! Please contact Eli Weiss, Partners in Water Program Manager, at eli.weiss@kingcounty.gov.

Current Partners in Water projects

Career pathways in wastewater

We're partnering with Kandelia and Villa Comunitaria to co-design a new career pathways program. This initiative explores how WTD can update current recruiting processes to increase equitable access, connecting young people from underrepresented communities to careers in wastewater and environmental fields.

Together, we're

• learning from communities about barriers to public sector and WTD jobs,
• exploring ways to improve outreach and support, and
• developing strategies to make job pathways more equitable.

Read our blogpost to learn more about the career pathways program.

Community partnerships in infrastructure

Beginning in June 2025 we will be collaborating with Living Well Kent, Mother Africa, and Villa Comunitaria to rethink how King County involves communities in planning for capital projects. Through this initiative, we'll co-create a toolkit that will help our division more effectively engage and involve communities in future infrastructure planning and construction.

Together, we're

• documenting best practices for building trust and sharing power,
• identifying strategies to involve communities early in capital projects, and
• developing tools and templates for future WTD work.