King County Executive Dow Constantine today released the following statement in regard to Gov. Jay Inslee's proposal to improve the state's water quality standards:

"I appreciate the Governor’s leadership on updating water quality standards – an important issue that affects the health of our people and the future of Puget Sound. The Governor and the Department of Ecology sought input from a wide range of stakeholders to ensure they made informed decisions.

"Pollution enters our rivers, streams, and Puget Sound from a wide range of sources, from rain that carries pollutants from our roads to the products we use in our homes and businesses. To achieve the best possible outcomes for our health and our habitat, we must tackle the root causes of water pollution throughout our watersheds. Our approach should include not only state-of-the-art wastewater treatment, but also forest protection, habitat restoration, stormwater management, and product stewardship.

"While we need to review the draft rule and related proposals so that we fully understand the potential impacts to King County, we support the comprehensive approach that the Governor has outlined."