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About this indicator:King County's Marine Water Quality includes information about the conditions of marine waters. Our weighting system for the marine environment water quality applies 75 percent to eutrophication and 25 percent to fecal bacteria.
Status: 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. Waters that are in protected areas without much current are of concern.
Influencing factors: Stormwater 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.
What you can do:
More information about King County's Freshwater Lakes and Streams is available by continuing below for these measures:
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Marine Eutrophication 2008 Findings |
Status: 2008 findings indicate that the water quality at all 14 stations sampled is at a level of Low Concern. Three stations ( two of which are located in Quartermaster Harbor) that were at either a Moderate or High Concern in 2007 were at a Low Concern for 2008.
The percentage of stations of Moderate or High Concern is 0%, which is a drop from 2007 (21%), but the same as 2004-2006.
Influencing factors: Vertical water density patterns can be indicators of an area's potential sensitivity to developing low dissolved oxygen conditions. Low oxygen conditions are harmful to fish and other aquatic life and may occur as a result of the natural flow of low oxygenated Pacific Ocean water into the deep main basin of Puget Sound, in addition to processes such as eutrophication. Persistently low nitrate concentrations in surface water can indicate a potential sensitivity to nutrient-rich input such as stormwater runoff, industrial waste discharges, septic systems, and flow from rivers. Ammonia can be found at elevated concentrations as a byproduct of sewage, agricultural practices, and fertilizer use in urban areas.
Existing DNRP response: DNRP 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 stormwater control management practices. Additionally, DNRP will continue to play an active role in the recently formed Puget Sound Partnership toward improving water quality throughout the entire Puget Sound.
Priority new actions: Stratification intensity and its persistence is beyond King County's influence, but should be monitored as it is an important indicator of areas sensitive to possible water quality problems.
About this indicator: The presence of fecal bacteria in water bodies indicates contamination with the fecal material of humans, birds, or other warm-blooded animals. Although these bacteria are usually not harmful themselves, they often occur in conjunction with other disease-causing pathogens, and their presence at high levels indicates an increased possibility that people might get sick if they come into contact with the water.
Washington State has a marine surface water quality bacteria standard based upon fecal coliforms. This standard was derived for the protection of human health and address water quality requirements for both primary contact recreational uses (e.g. swimming and SCUBA diving) as well as the consumption of shellfish. This fecal coliform standard is a geometric mean of 14 colony forming units /100ml, calculated over a 12-month sampling period.
King County conducted monthly water quality monitoring in 2008 at 15 offshore locations in Puget Sound. Offshore monitoring locations are divided into two categories, ambient and outfall stations. Ambient stations are chosen to reflect general, or ambient, environmental conditions, while outfall stations are located at King County wastewater treatment plant outfalls and county-operated combined sewer overflow outfalls. Monitoring occurred at seven outfall stations and eight ambient stations in 2008. Ambient stations were located in the Central Basin of Puget Sound as well as Elliott Bay, Quartermaster Harbor, Salmon Bay, and Fauntleroy Cove.
The status of this indicator is based upon the geometric mean of the fecal coliform bacteria counts over the 12-month period of calendar year 2008 in samples collected from 15 monitoring stations at a depth of one meter below the surface.
Status: All ambient and outfall stations met the fecal coliform bacteria geometric mean standard in 2008. Fecal coliform bacteria counts do not appear to be an ongoing concern in offshore surface marine waters within King County.
Influencing factors: 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.
Existing DNRP response: DNRP will continue to manage its wastewater treatment plants and conveyance system effectively. The county is working with the Puget Sound Partnership effort toward protecting and restoring the health of marine waters.
Priority new actions: No major changes to the offshore marine water quality monitoring program are planned for 2009.
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