Statistics from the US Department of Transportation show more than 700,000 registered motor carriers are traversing our highways and roads. These trucks, which can be packed with everything from bricks and stone to dog food and grocery items, keep thousands of American businesses afloat. For business owners shipping these products across the country, precise planning and high-level tracking are required. But with increasing rates and a wide range of delays to overcome, overseeing a shipment of LTL freight is easier said than done.
For overworked business owners, managing multiple shipments can seem impossible in today's freight landscape. But the reality is that many businesses rely on less-than-truckload shipments to keep their doors open. When these shipments are compromised, their business is too. But there's a viable solution: LTL freight brokers in Seattle, WA like RelyEx provide reliable solutions to common LTL shipment problems, eliminating the stress and worry of LTL shipping.
With more than 30 combined years of LTL experience and a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx is your go-to choice for streamlined, efficient LTL shipping services. To understand the true value of RelyEx's less-than-truckload shipping options, it helps to understand first what LTL shipping is and why it's used.
In the freight industry, LTL stands for "less-than-truckload." It is a widely-used method of transportation for smaller shipments that don't require the space of a full truckload. In an LTL shipment, several customers' loads are placed onto one truck, which helps reduce how much it costs to ship those products.
In fact, if your freight doesn't fill an entire trailer but weighs 150-15,000 lbs., LTL freight shipping in Seattle, WA, may be the most efficient, cost-conscious way to transport your products. That's because, in an LTL setup, you're only paying for the space your freight takes up. LTL shipping companies like RelyEx optimize LTL loads by choosing the most efficient routes at the best rates so your cargo gets to where it needs to go without any issues.
Business owners often choose LTL freight services in the following circumstances:
When it comes to LTL delivery options, there are a lot to choose from. But not every LTL broker is created equally. Some LTL companies do not have the tools or technology to track your shipments and optimize your routes. In worst-case scenarios, they may not be insured or reliable. If you're looking for an experienced LTL carrier that exceeds expectations with time-tested strategies and innovative technologies, look no further than RelyEx.
With more than two decades of experience in LTL operations, our team utilizes the power of GlobalTranz to compare rates across hundreds of approved carriers in the blink of an eye, while also providing the most cost-effective options for moving your freight. When you choose RelyEx for LTL shipping, you can leverage our expert team to handle your shipments. You can also manage the process yourself via GTZShip, which is Globaltranz's user-friendly management system. With GTZShip, you can access and compare LTL shipping rates, track your shipments, and manage your financials, all from one intuitive platform.
When it comes to LTL freight in Seattle, WA, clients trust their products with RelyEx for many reasons, including the following:
Because GTZShip keeps outsized freight available, it can negotiate the best LTL rates on your behalf. Our clients can access these extra-low rates in one of two ways:
Regardless of the option you choose, RelyEx's knowledgeable customer care reps will cover all of your LTL shipping options, so you can make an informed shipping and purchasing decision for your freight.
Yes, you read that right - in addition to giving you access to industry-leading rates, RelyEx's partnership with GTZShip gives you full management of your freight. We're talking about access to reporting, tracking, and much more. This extensive visibility is essentially a one-stop shop for everything related to the status of your freight.
Unlike some LTL shipping software, this system requires no contracts or signup fees, making it simple to provide quotes and book immediately when you're ready. Whether you use GTZShip directly or rely on our team to book your freight, your company will always have access to this free technology.
While it's true that RelyEx provides customers with the best rates and technology in the LTL industry, we go above and beyond the normal call of duty. Why? Because we strive to treat your shipment as if it's our most important one. Put simply, we put a lot of time and effort into making sure we do things right the first time around. Our fierce commitment to the customer and to quality protects not only your reputation, but your bottom line by preventing lost customers and sales.
RelyEx excels at LTL shipping because we are:
From dedicated LTL solutions to transactional relationships, RelyEx is here to help. Unlike other LTL companies, we get the job done right with customer-focused service, industry expertise, and Globaltranz's industry-leading Transportation Management System.
Our dedicated team of LTL specialists provides you with the best freight visibility available, whether you need a few shipments a week or you need hundreds. In order to do so, we communicate with carriers throughout the entire shipping process, so you know your items are delivered on time. Though rare, if we spot an issue, we'll provide you with an alternative solution immediately.
Plus, if you have large quantities that need to be shipped, our team is happy to provide you with customized reporting for free. That way, you can access at-the-moment updates and important shipment documentation with a few clicks or taps.
When your freight is too light for full truckloads but too heavy for basic parcel carriers like UPS, LTL shipping is a great option to consider. When you use an LTL shipping company like RelyEx, you get even more value. We've been over some of the basics associated with LTL freight shipping - now let's touch on some of the biggest benefits of using a company to handle logistics from start to finish.
One of the most common reasons clients use LTL services is because they're able to save money. LTL shipping is much less expensive than the alternative, which is to hire a private driver and truck. When you go in on LTL services with other shippers, you can have your products delivered at a fraction of the cost of going private. In this setup, you pay for space you use, not the space you don't use, which is common in full truckload freight shipping.
As an added benefit, relying on an LTL freight company like RelyEx can lower your warehouse costs since more shipments can be sent at a time. That means you don't have to wait weeks or even months for a trailer to fill up.
When you use a parcel carrier like FedEx, you can only ship up to 150 pounds at a time. That means you'd have to break down your shipment into separate boxes in order to ship. With LTL freight shipping, your packages can be palletized and shrink-wrapped so they're shipped in a single load.
At RelyEx, our team knows how important your shipment is, whether you're sending thousands of pounds of products or a single pallet. That's why we ensure your products are packaged correctly and have security protocols baked into every service we offer. Plus, by keeping your freight together, we decrease the chance of damaging your cargo, which pleases your clients and boosts your customers' satisfaction.
The magic of LTL shipping lies in the fact that we fill fewer trailers with more freight. Doing so reduces global emissions and makes the process much quicker. Imagine using a semi-truck to haul products that only fill a quarter of the trailer. It would waste money, time, and space that could be used for other products. With LTL shipping, you're protecting the environment and reducing the number of partially-filled trucks on the road. This, in turn, saves you money and makes you an eco-friendly company - something you can use as a selling point for your business.
LTL providers like RelyEx use advanced logistics technology to ensure your cargo arrives on time and without damage. By investing in technology like GlobalTranz, we save our clients from doing so themselves. With GlobalTranz, our clients gain access to robust tracking options like real-time freight locations, so you can monitor your shipment's progress. With GlobalTranz, you get more than just a way to book your LTL cargo â you benefit from our qualified network of carriers, expert logistics support, and leading technology features.
It's impossible to say exactly how much your LTL shipping may cost because the NMFC, or National Motor Freight Classification, determines those prices. Using this standard, pricing is dictated for commodities moving in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce. Items are grouped into 18 different classes, based on four characteristics:
If you're shipping a product that is more likely to be damaged, stolen, or cause damage to other items, it may affect LTL shipment pricing.
Does your product require specific care or handling instructions? If so, you can probably expect higher prices.
This factor accounts for how much space your item occupies in relation to its weight or the weight per cubic foot for each piece of freight you are shipping.
How easy is it to load and transport your commodity? Can it be loaded and transported with other items?
When combined, these characteristics are used to establish an NMFC code for your LTL cargo. These codes are crucial, as they help your LTL carrier understand the challenges of shipping your products. If the item you need to ship has a high NMFC code, it's because it's more difficult to transport, which usually means it's more expensive to ship.
Depending on where and how often you ship LTL freight, your broker may choose a regional or national LTL carrier. Regional carriers often service a group of states within a region. National carriers have a larger footprint and can often eliminate the need to use several carriers for your shipments. RelyEx has the infrastructure and strategies for all of your LTL shipping - contact our office today to learn more about your options.
Though regional and national carriers are different, they often use similar models for shipping. Two of the most popular types of shipping methods include hub and spoke distribution and LTL consolidation.
In this traditional model, your shipments go through a network of warehouses, terminals, and hub facilities where your products are grouped with other shipments. Your freight then travels to local "spokes" (or terminals), where they are delivered. If you need to ship freight over short distances, this model may be a good choice to consider.
Some common benefits of the hub and spoke model include:
LTL consolidated shipping is a model where LTL carriers bring several shipments from different shippers to a final destination. Instead of using hubs and spokes along the shipping route to bundle freight and move cargo, LTL consolidation works by taking multiple shipments and turning them into a single truckload. This truck then makes multiple stops, where your products are delivered.
Some of the most common benefits of LTL consolidation include:
At RelyEx, our goal is to expertly manage the movement of your freight so you can focus on your core business. With more than 20 years of combined experience with LTL freight shipping in Seattle, WA, our team can select the most efficient and cost-effective model for your needs. That way, you can accomplish your day-to-day tasks while we handle the heavy lifting and any logistical challenges.
At RelyEx, we believe that trustworthy, comprehensive, and streamlined LTL shipping options are better for your business. And for us, what's better for your business is better for ours. That's why, when it comes to LTL shipping, we work tirelessly to ensure every aspect of your freight experience is embedded excellence. We take this unique approach because our management were once customers like you. They were people who, for one reason or another, had to deal with frustrating and often unsolved shipping and logistics challenges. Today, we take pride in solving those challenges and only partner with carriers who match our high standards.
If you're looking for an LTL company in Seattle, WA that prioritizes customer service, strong communication, and proactive thinking, we're here to help you avoid delayed shipments and missed expectations.
Writing about Seattle barbecue means that you have to preface everything with, “Seattle isn’t known for its barbecue...” or “Though not a traditional barbecue hub...” Look, we know Seattle doesn’t have the barbecue tradition of cities like Kansas City or Austin. But we hate badmouthing our own town, and it’s not like the Seattle isn’t blessed with great meat or doesn’t have the technological sophistication necessary to smoke brisket. We have plenty of smokehouses and barbecue spots doing ...
Writing about Seattle barbecue means that you have to preface everything with, “Seattle isn’t known for its barbecue...” or “Though not a traditional barbecue hub...” Look, we know Seattle doesn’t have the barbecue tradition of cities like Kansas City or Austin. But we hate badmouthing our own town, and it’s not like the Seattle isn’t blessed with great meat or doesn’t have the technological sophistication necessary to smoke brisket. We have plenty of smokehouses and barbecue spots doing great work. Here are nine of our favorites, as usual not ranked but organized geographically.
Know of a spot that should be on our radar? Send us a tip by emailing seattle@eater.com. As usual, this list is not ranked; it’s organized geographically.
(Note: This list sticks to restaurants serving American-style barbecue. Some of the many great Japanese and Korean barbecue restaurants in the Seattle area can be found on Eater Seattle’s Japanese and Korean cuisine maps.)
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Brileys in Lake Forest Park draws in many fans for good reason. The restaurant's Southern Pride SPK 500 smoker imparts the flavor of cherry and applewood into everything from sausages to brisket, ribs, and chicken. Sides are a big focus here, too, and the Brileys Fries, topped with barbecue sauce and Brunswick stew, are a must.
Wallingford’s RoRo BBQ has been in business since 2006, and now that it’s surrounded by freshly constructed mixed-use buildings it feels like an anachronism, a cozy little house of meat tucked away from the world. There are some fun features on this menu, like pork rinds with sriracha seasoning or Seattle Succotash, a mixture of corn, black beans, and edamame with a cilantro-lime dressing. They even have a “BBQ Sundae,” which is your choice of meat plus two sides all piled into a bowl — a premium version of a KFC Famous Bowl.
At this Central District fixture, pitmaster Ed “Pookey” Whitfield presides over a wonderful array of pulled pork, beef, brisket, chicken, and ribs. The smoked meats are paired with candied yams, mac and cheese, potato salad — all the classics, crafted with care.
This Seattle mainstay has been slinging smoked meats for more than 40 years now, and it’s still going strong. While other places may have a bit more flash, the SoDo Pecos continues to charm, with its signature lighted hog sign out front and reliably tender brisket. In partnership with Red Robin founder Gerry Kingen, Pecos is planning to expand aggressively, and now has outposts in West Seattle and Yelm, with more on the way.
Jack Timmons — a Texas transplant and former Microsoft employee — got his start in the biz when he created the Seattle Brisket Experience, with an offset smoker and loads of oak, mesquite, and hickory. Fans of his SoDo restaurant (with other locations in South Lake Union, Columbia Tower and Algona) have long sought out its terrific menu items, including Frito pie, rib tips, barbecue tacos, smoked cocktails, and, of course, brisket.
Southern barbecue meets Jamaican flavors at this takeout-only restaurant and catering operation in Columbia City. The menu ranges from fantastic jerk fried chicken and waffles to barbecue wings to a delectable smoked and fried bologna sandwich. The restaurant also offers catering with platters of ribs, barbecue chicken, brisket, and more. In 2021, Lil Red was listed among one of national barbecue expert Adrian Miller’s 20 favorite Black-owned barbecue restaurants in the U.S.
West Seattle has a nice little barbecue corridor going, with Pecos, Lady Jaye, and this unassuming spot on Fauntleroy Way. Here, diners will find terrific rib tips and chopped pork smothered in a barbecue sauce so tangy, it’ll be tempting to buy giant jars of it (sold for retail at the shop).
Smoke is a central theme at Lady Jaye, which has a 2,000-pound smoker dubbed “Cletus.” It turns out such delights as bulgogi short ribs, pork belly burnt ends, and smoked bologna sandwiches. The meat pairs perfectly with the bourbon and rye-heavy cocktail menu, including the smoked old fashioned.
This small restaurant in Hillman City has been serving some of Seattle's best barbecue for years, without making a huge fuss about it. Certainly the massive portions of smoked meat, inspired by owner Tess Thomas’s roots in Arkansas and Memphis, are still turning heads, with piles of succulent pulled pork, brisket, and chicken, alongside terrific cornbread and collard greens.
Brileys in Lake Forest Park draws in many fans for good reason. The restaurant's Southern Pride SPK 500 smoker imparts the flavor of cherry and applewood into everything from sausages to brisket, ribs, and chicken. Sides are a big focus here, too, and the Brileys Fries, topped with barbecue sauce and Brunswick stew, are a must.
Wallingford’s RoRo BBQ has been in business since 2006, and now that it’s surrounded by freshly constructed mixed-use buildings it feels like an anachronism, a cozy little house of meat tucked away from the world. There are some fun features on this menu, like pork rinds with sriracha seasoning or Seattle Succotash, a mixture of corn, black beans, and edamame with a cilantro-lime dressing. They even have a “BBQ Sundae,” which is your choice of meat plus two sides all piled into a bowl — a premium version of a KFC Famous Bowl.
At this Central District fixture, pitmaster Ed “Pookey” Whitfield presides over a wonderful array of pulled pork, beef, brisket, chicken, and ribs. The smoked meats are paired with candied yams, mac and cheese, potato salad — all the classics, crafted with care.
This Seattle mainstay has been slinging smoked meats for more than 40 years now, and it’s still going strong. While other places may have a bit more flash, the SoDo Pecos continues to charm, with its signature lighted hog sign out front and reliably tender brisket. In partnership with Red Robin founder Gerry Kingen, Pecos is planning to expand aggressively, and now has outposts in West Seattle and Yelm, with more on the way.
Jack Timmons — a Texas transplant and former Microsoft employee — got his start in the biz when he created the Seattle Brisket Experience, with an offset smoker and loads of oak, mesquite, and hickory. Fans of his SoDo restaurant (with other locations in South Lake Union, Columbia Tower and Algona) have long sought out its terrific menu items, including Frito pie, rib tips, barbecue tacos, smoked cocktails, and, of course, brisket.
Southern barbecue meets Jamaican flavors at this takeout-only restaurant and catering operation in Columbia City. The menu ranges from fantastic jerk fried chicken and waffles to barbecue wings to a delectable smoked and fried bologna sandwich. The restaurant also offers catering with platters of ribs, barbecue chicken, brisket, and more. In 2021, Lil Red was listed among one of national barbecue expert Adrian Miller’s 20 favorite Black-owned barbecue restaurants in the U.S.
West Seattle has a nice little barbecue corridor going, with Pecos, Lady Jaye, and this unassuming spot on Fauntleroy Way. Here, diners will find terrific rib tips and chopped pork smothered in a barbecue sauce so tangy, it’ll be tempting to buy giant jars of it (sold for retail at the shop).
Smoke is a central theme at Lady Jaye, which has a 2,000-pound smoker dubbed “Cletus.” It turns out such delights as bulgogi short ribs, pork belly burnt ends, and smoked bologna sandwiches. The meat pairs perfectly with the bourbon and rye-heavy cocktail menu, including the smoked old fashioned.
This small restaurant in Hillman City has been serving some of Seattle's best barbecue for years, without making a huge fuss about it. Certainly the massive portions of smoked meat, inspired by owner Tess Thomas’s roots in Arkansas and Memphis, are still turning heads, with piles of succulent pulled pork, brisket, and chicken, alongside terrific cornbread and collard greens.
Gov. Jay Inslee signed a new bill that resets the study for a new airport with added vetoes making it clear the priority is expanding existing airports.SEATTLE — A new major airport in western Washington is looking more and more unlikely after Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill that resets the study for one, with added vetoes.“It does lift quite a burden,” said Dawn Sonntag, who founded "Stop the Airport."As Sonntag walke...
Gov. Jay Inslee signed a new bill that resets the study for a new airport with added vetoes making it clear the priority is expanding existing airports.
SEATTLE — A new major airport in western Washington is looking more and more unlikely after Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill that resets the study for one, with added vetoes.
“It does lift quite a burden,” said Dawn Sonntag, who founded "Stop the Airport."
As Sonntag walked along a trail steps from her Thurston County home, she reflected on a difficult year.
Sonntag lives in one of the Greenfields previously chosen as a potential site for a new airport by the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (CACC).
That sight will no longer be chosen after Inslee signed a bill Monday to reset the study for a new airport. In a letter to the state House, Inslee said the new group had to fully consider expanding already existing airports throughout the state before looking at building a new one.
“We were stunned. We have been writing letters asking for this outcome since day one,” said Sonntag.
“My concern is that the analysis that’s already been done in this case for existing airports in Puget Sound has already been ruled out. So what’s left?” said Robert Hodgman, who was a lead planner for CACC as well as the airport director for Yakima Air Terminal. He agrees more public input will help the process.
Hodgman said with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport projected to reach its 56 million capacity in 2032, smaller flights will likely be cancelled.
“Many of the communities in central and eastern Washington are at great risk of losing air service all together. This is a big problem, there’s a lot at stake here,” said Hodgman.
Though it appears green fields will not be the priority, Sonntag said it’s important to stay vigilant.
“My hope and plan for the future is we form a permanent coalition for protecting the green spaces in western Washington.”
The new study group will provide progress reports yearly with the first due July of 2024. That report will highlight which airports won’t work based on military operations.
A small plane crashed into Elliott Bay on Thursday evening near the downtown Seattle waterfront, sinking only a few hundred feet from a pier, officials said.The plane crashed into the Sound near the waterfront in the 2800 block of Alaskan Way, according to the Seattle Fire Department. The 42-year-old pilot was able to exit the plane before being rescued by a group of boaters and brought to shore.The pilot suffered minor...
A small plane crashed into Elliott Bay on Thursday evening near the downtown Seattle waterfront, sinking only a few hundred feet from a pier, officials said.
The plane crashed into the Sound near the waterfront in the 2800 block of Alaskan Way, according to the Seattle Fire Department. The 42-year-old pilot was able to exit the plane before being rescued by a group of boaters and brought to shore.
The pilot suffered minor injuries. He was treated in the Harborview Medical Center emergency room and released Thursday night, said hospital spokesperson Susan Gregg. No passengers were aboard the plane.
Coast Guard responders found no surface pollution in Elliott Bay while checking the area Thursday evening with a small-boat team and a drone, said Petty Officer Travis Magee.
Thomas Hawthorne said he and three others were boating on the Sound when they saw the aircraft flying low over the water. A few minutes later, the plane crashed into the water about a half mile away.
“We were just hanging out in the boat, enjoying the views of Seattle, and all of a sudden we see a plane coming in flying really low … then [it] crashed,” said Hawthorne’s friend, David Commarford.
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The group debated what to do and ultimately headed to the crash site, where they found the pilot struggling to swim and the plane mostly underwater.
One of the boaters, Elaina Neal, said she threw a rope to the pilot, who was able to grasp it on her second toss. The boaters then pulled the pilot to the side of their boat, and Hawthorne and Commarford dragged him from the water.
“David grabbed his arm, and then we kind of all got over to the side of the boat and pulled him into the boat,” Hawthorne said.
The pilot had trouble breathing and had blood around his jaw and mouth, Commarford said. He told the group he had lost control of the plane, according to Hawthorne.
With the pilot onboard, the group headed to the pier, where paramedics took over.
Brent Breslin, who was operating the boat, said he and his friends sprung quickly into rescue mode when they saw the plane go down.
“It was kind of a surreal thing to see,” he said.
Seattle Times reporter Mike Lindblom contributed to this article.
Daisy Zavala Magaña: dzavala@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @daisyzavv. Daisy Zavala Magaña is a staff reporter for The Seattle Times.
Large wildfires burning in Alberta, Canada have produced large amounts of smoke that have moved into Washington.SEATTLE — If you think you're seeing haze from wildfire smoke in mid-May, you're not imagining things. Wildfire smoke from Canada moved into Washington state Wednesday morning and is forecast to stick around through the remainder of the week.Large wildf...
Large wildfires burning in Alberta, Canada have produced large amounts of smoke that have moved into Washington.
SEATTLE — If you think you're seeing haze from wildfire smoke in mid-May, you're not imagining things. Wildfire smoke from Canada moved into Washington state Wednesday morning and is forecast to stick around through the remainder of the week.
Large wildfires burning in Alberta, Canada paired with a weather pattern favorable to carrying wildfire smoke into the Pacific and Inland Northwest have developed. This weather pattern will keep wildfire smoke around the region through the end of the week, creating hazy skies and filtered sunshine along with colorful sunrises and sunsets.
At this time, it appears most of the wildfire smoke will stay aloft, higher in the atmosphere, not creating a widespread impact on the air quality at the surface for areas west of the Cascades. This will continue to be closely monitored over the next 72 hours for any subtle changes that could bring more smoke down to the surface.
High level smoke easily spotted on the visible satellite image at sunrise covering the northern half of the state. #wawx pic.twitter.com/Wb0judZHyY
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) May 17, 2023
A bit of a surreal sunrise view for mid-May for us as wildfire smoke for Alberta arrives. #wawx pic.twitter.com/WIVGaNOPsI
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) May 17, 2023
The current forecast keeps most of the smoke aloft and the air quality forecast overall Thursday stays in the good category west of the Cascades. Areas in eastern Washington are forecast to dip into the unhealthy for sensitive groups category Thursday.
Credit: KING 5
Thursday air quality forecast
Because of more wildfire smoke mixing down to the surface in central and eastern Washington, reducing air quality, an Air Quality Alert is in effect through Saturday morning for north central and eastern Washington.
Credit: KING 5
Air Quality Alert
The last time Seattle and western Washington saw wildfire smoke was last October when the air quality dipped into the unhealthy category for some areas.
With growing public awareness of the prevalence of toxic “forever chemicals” in drinking water and new testing requirements rolling out this year, Washington state communities are faced with little option but to shut down wells, find alternative water sources and seek funding for costly filtration systems.On Wednesday, the Department of Health unveiled a public-facing dashboard sharin...
With growing public awareness of the prevalence of toxic “forever chemicals” in drinking water and new testing requirements rolling out this year, Washington state communities are faced with little option but to shut down wells, find alternative water sources and seek funding for costly filtration systems.
On Wednesday, the Department of Health unveiled a public-facing dashboard sharing data from drinking water wells in the state that have been tested for the presence of these toxic chemicals. Officials hope water system operators and private well owners will use the dashboard to see if PFAS have been detected nearby and make informed decisions about testing their own water source.
In January, the DOH began requiring that some public water systems be tested for PFAS before December 2025. There are about 2,400 such systems in Washington, composed of close to 4,000 wells that need to be tested.
Just over a quarter of those wells have been tested. While only about 2% came back with PFAS above levels that the state considers safe for drinking, those communities have faced devastating consequences.
The highest levels of PFAS in Washington state drinking water have been found around places where firefighting foams containing the substances were used in training exercises for decades. More recently, exorbitantly high levels were detected in a San Juan Island well. Test results are published on DOH’s new PFAS data page.
The state’s new dashboard excludes private wells, and those serving less than 15 households, which are not subject to the testing requirements. Those water system operators and private well owners can use the dashboard to see if PFAS have been detected nearby.
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” have been linked to several health disorders, including cancer, and are one of the most pervasive sources of pollution on the planet.
The chemicals were first developed in the ’50s and ’60s by Minnesota-based 3M, upon request from the Navy, which was looking for a more effective way to fight fires than only with water.
Since then, the chemicals have also been used in carpets, waterproof apparel and nonstick pans. Their widespread usage means that today, the chemicals are found in soil, air, water, the blood of 98% of Americans, and even the snow of Antarctica.
A massive legal battle is playing out nationwide as thousands of individuals, water systems, cities, counties and states sue manufacturers, distributors and in some cases the Department of Defense in federal court to determine who will pay the cleanup bills that will tally in the billions of dollars.
One of those systems is the Lakewood Water District in Pierce County, which spent over $5 million on filtration infrastructure and is now seeking millions more through a class-action lawsuit against 3M and other manufacturers of PFAS.
Last month, the Central Washington city of Moses Lake learned from testing that PFAS were present in some of its 16 active wells, although at concentrations below the state action levels. Nevertheless, the city shut off those wells and began redistributing clean water.
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The city was the former site of the Larson Air Force base, which later was used as a landfill, where arsenic, lead, mercury, and other contaminants may have been dumped.
It is today designated a Superfund cleanup site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a title reserved for some of the most contaminated, highest priority cleanup sites in the nation.
The city is hoping to continue testing to see if the levels increase, which may require Moses Lake to buy a filtration system, as Lakewood did. Chad Strevy, Moses Lake water division manager, said the systems would cost millions, but the city is betting on using funding awarded from a future settlement of the PFAS liability lawsuit.
The DOH dashboard doesn’t include all the tests that have been carried out in the state. Since 2021, the Army has sampled water from private wells in the vicinity of its military bases across the country. In areas around the four bases in Washington, it has found hundreds of wells with PFAS concentrations above the state action levels.
One well on Whidbey Island registered over 300 times the state action level for one of the chemicals, but those results are not included in the DOH dashboard. Mike Means, a manager in the Office of Drinking Water in the state Department of Health, told The Seattle Times that DOH has considered adding data from tests performed by other agencies, like the Department of Defense.
Washington state’s action levels are stricter then the EPA advisory levels. But this year, in a step to start regulating PFAS contamination at the federal level, the EPA proposed new, lower levels for PFAS concentrations in water that, if approved, would become enforceable nationwide.
The state dashboard is at the Department of Health.
Isabella Breda: 206-652-6536 or ibreda@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @BredaIsabella. Seattle Times staff reporter Isabella Breda covers the environment.
Manuel Villa: 206-464-2262 or mvilla@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @mvilla1859. Manuel Villa is the data reporter for The Seattle Times' investigative team.