What is the state of the county?High-level measure that tracks the state of the environment or the condition of the community.

Marine habitat

How is King County doing?

While, in general, the quality of open waters in Puget Sound is good, marine water quality conditions in certain areas of King County show evidence of degradation. In some years, waters in protected areas without much current are of concern, including Elliot Bay and Quartermaster Harbor.

2008 findings indicate that the marine water quality at all 14 stations sampled is at a level of low concern. Three stations (including Quartermaster Harbor) were at either a moderate or high concern in 2007 are a low concern for 2008. Fecal coliform bacteria counts do not appear to be an ongoing concern in offshore surface marine waters in King County.

What else influences these indicators?

Storm water carrying nutrients from septic systems, chemicals from motor vehicles and phosphorus from fertilizers degrade marine water quality and reduce oxygen levels for the animals that live and depend on Puget Sound habitats. Fecal coliform bacteria can enter Puget Sound from domestic animals, wildlife, storm water runoff, wastewater discharges, and failing septic systems. Non-point source pollution (e.g. storm water runoff and agriculture) is the major cause of marine water bacterial contamination.

What role does King County government play?

King County will continue to operate its wastewater treatment plants and conveyance system effectively to maintain low levels of nutrients discharged into marine waters. The new Brightwater Treatment System will use state of the art technology to reduce nutrients and other pollutants. Nutrient levels are also addressed by the agency through storm water control management practices. Additionally, King County will continue to play an active role in the recently formed Puget Sound Partnership toward improving water quality throughout the entire Puget Sound.

What can you do?

Properly dispose of harmful chemicals, including unused pharmaceuticals and latex paints.
Maintain, repair, or replace failing private septic systems.
Minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides by practicing natural yard care.
Wash your car on the grass or gravel instead of on the street or driveway, or take it to a car wash.

Shoreline Practices for a Healthy Lake, River, or Stream

Shoreline Master Program

Puget Sound Marine Topics

Puget Sound Watershed

Expand to read technical notes Technical Notes Collapse technical notes Technical Notes

Water Quality

Data source: The data source for this indicator comes from the King County DNRP/WLRD Marine and Sediment Assessment Group.

Collection frequency: The King County DNRP/WLRD Marine and Sediment Assessment Group conducts monthly sampling at 12 offshore locations.

Methods for analysis: Four indicators are integrated into a modified version of the water quality index developed by the Washington State Department of Ecology to assess overall water quality. The determination of water quality concern is based upon dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, ammonia, and stratification strength and persistence. To rank these attributes for the index, two thresholds for each of the indicators has been identified as follows: 1) occurrence of low DO concentrations (<5 mg/L for 2 consecutive months, < 3 mg/L for one month); 2) consecutive months with very low surface DIN concentrations (3 months, 5 months); and 3) elevated ammonia concentrations (>0.8 mg/L, >1.6 mg/L); and 4) presence of strong density stratification (Strong-Intermittent, Strong-Persistent). If numerical values are attached to the two threshold indicator levels, then rankings of relative water quality concern can be derived. A value of "1" is assigned to the first threshold in all categories, and a value of "5" is assigned to the second threshold. A water quality level of concern based upon total points is then assigned to each station. Three water quality levels designations exist and are defined as "Lower Concern" (zero to one point), "Moderate Concern" (two to four points), and "High Concern" (five or more points).

Data Reference

King County, Water and Land Resources Division, Science, Monitoring and Data Management Section

King County DNRP/WLRD Marine and Sediment Assessment Group: Puget Sound Marine Monitoring Web site http://green.kingcounty.gov/marine/

Shoreline Armoring

Data source: The data source for this indicator comes from the King County WLRD Science, Monitoring and Data Management Section.

Collection frequency: This is the first time comprehensive data has been available to develop this environmental indicator. Now that a baseline has been established, follow up surveys every 5 years will provide useful analysis in the future.

Methods for analysis: Aerial photography and limited ground truthing was used to conduct this survey. The aerial photography collection was conducted in 2005.

Data Reference

Berry, H.D., J.R. Harper, T.F. Mumford, Jr., B.E. Bookheim, A.T. Sewell, and L.J. Tamayo. 2001. The Washington State ShoreZone Inventory User's Manual. Nearshore Habitat Program, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA. http://www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/aqr/nshr/pdf/szusermanual.pdf

Higgins, K. F., Schlenger, P., and Hall J., 2005. Spatial Relationships between Beneficial and Detrimental Nearshore Habitat Parameters in WRIA 9 and the City of Seattle, 2005 Puget Sound Georgia Basin Research Conference Proceedings. http://www.psat.wa.gov/Publications/05_proceedings/papers/B7_HIGGI.pdf

Johannessen, J.W., MacLennan, A., and McBride, A, 2005. Inventory and Assessment of Current and Historic Beach Feeding Sources/Erosion and Accretion Areas for the Marine Shorelines of Water Resource Inventory Areas 8 & 9, Prepared by Coastal Geologic Services, Prepared for King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Seattle, WA. http://green.kingcounty.gov/marine/reports/marine-shoreline.htm

Rice, Casimir, A. 2006. Effects of Shoreline Modification on a Northern Puget Sound Beach: Microclimate and Embryo Mortality in Surf Smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus). Estuaries and Coasts, Vol. 29, No. 1, p 63-71. http://www.psat.wa.gov/Programs/orca/forage_fish/smelt-and-armoring_Rice_2006.pdf

Sediments

Data source: The data source for this indicator comes from the King County DNRP/WLRD Marine and Sediment Assessment Group.

Collection frequency: Data collected in 2001 was from the most recent comprehensive survey of sediment quality in King County. King County is in the processing of redesigning the marine ambient and outfall sampling program, so no new samples have been collected. Data from 2001 is still relevant for analysis because sediments (particularly those that are polluted) move slowly and don't change much over five years unless clean up efforts have been taken. Now that a baseline has been established, follow up surveys will provide useful analysis in the future.

Methods for analysis: The Sediment Quality Standard, or "no adverse effects level," is the most protective chemical standard for marine sediments. The Cleanup Screening Level, or the "minor adverse effects level," helps identify areas of potential concern that may be designated cleanup sites.

The Sediment Quality Standard has been selected as the indicator because it is the more sensitive of the two criteria for environmental protection. In 2001, sediment sites were divided into two categories. Ambient sites were chosen to reflect general, or ambient, environmental conditions. Point source stations are located near King County wastewater treatment plant outfalls and combined sewer overflow outfalls.

Data Reference

King County DNRP/WLRD Marine and Sediment Assessment Group: Puget Sound Marine Monitoring Web site http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/waterres/marine/

Water and Land Resources Division Marine Water Technical Reports: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/waterres/marine/Reports.htm