Snow Storm 2008 Still Haunting Seattle

In previous years, Seattle's snow strategy has always been duck, hide, and hope the snow will melt away, prior to any heated debate (pun intended) began on sanding vs. salting city streets. The Snow Storm of 2008 literally left the city shaking in its boots. It was a matter of time until the city's wastewater-treatment plant was going to feel the effects trickle in, from the 12,400 tons of sand dumped on the snow-packed streets in late December 2008. Now filtering systems are breaking down as the sand continues to plug up pumps and trigger emergency repairs. Grrreat. Clean up efforts have been strong--the city has swept up 11,300 tons of sand since January--but as the filters began to fail, all the basins and pipes were ordered to be cleaned. Now that our pipes are clean(er), we look forward to the next sand-free winter.