No More Toilet Backups: My Journey from Septic to Sewer

May 18, 2026.Reading time 7 minutes.

A dad rushes to the bathroom with a plunger as a child gestures to an overflowing toilet. A teenager holds her nose.

Anyone who has had a toilet back-up knows that it’s a household crisis! This animated short shows how stressful a septic system failure can be through the eyes of a dad who is worried about the cost. He finds out from his neighbor that King County’s health department can help connect him to financial assistance to move to sewer.

SNAP Disruptions Expected to Drive Demand at King County Food Banks

October 31, 2025.Reading time 7 minutes.

Canned goods on the shelf of the Maple Valley Food Bank

A lapse in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) payments due to the government shutdown will likely lead to a surge in demand at neighborhood food pantries and meal programs. Find locations for these programs and learn what donations are most needed.

What to do if a rat comes up your toilet

January 18, 2023.Reading time 5 minutes.

A rat in a sewer pipe sniffs at tendrils of aroma. The rat pictures in a burger in a thought bubble.

Heavy rains and flooding can send more rats into the sewer system. Find out the simple steps to deal with a rat in your toilet.

Need transportation to vaccination? The Vaccine Transportation Helpline can get you there!

November 19, 2021.Reading time 6 minutes.

A middle-aged man supports an older woman with gray hair by holding her arm as she walks down a step, holding a handrail. A "Hyde Shuttle" van is parked nearby with doors open to an accessible ramp.

The King County COVID-19 Vaccine Mobility Task Force removes obstacles to vaccination with their Vaccine Transportation Helpline. The Helpline connects people to flexible options to meet their needs. Many transportation options are free and can accommodate people with disabilities.