Solutions for success

Illustrator Natalie Dupille at a Shape Our Water workshop in November 2024.

This summer Shape Our Water is wrapping up its Brainstorming Solutions phase as the project moves steadily toward the creation of a community-centered plan for the next 50 years of resilient drainage and wastewater systems.

Over the past year, hundreds of project participants considered current and future challenges in Seattle and what solutions could help address them.

How do we solve too much rain falling and moving through our system too quickly for our infrastructure to keep up? What are the ways that our current system either addresses or exacerbates some of the health and wealth challenges that overburdened community members face?

These and other important planning themes have created launching pads to consider possible solutions that are both practical, and innovative. Solutions are a combination of tools – see our Tool Library for examples – and strategy to use those tools on specific drainage and wastewater management challenges.

For example, maybe we should create public education programs on replacing tires – as old tires shed more particles that are toxic to people and wildlife – and resources to offer more sustainable options? What if the City of Seattle offered new tires for sale with salmon spinning hubcabs? The Shape Our Water team has over 1,000 solution ideas like this to consider.

In the months ahead, Shape Our Water will be hosting working sessions to categorize, refine, detail, and clarify our kaleidoscope of possible solutions. Throughout, we’ll be centering our community’s goals for long-term resiliency, racial and environmental justice, and personal and community well-being, from the Shape Our Water Community Vision.

Learn more about one partner’s experience Brainstorming Solutions on the People’s Economy Lab blog >