Helena Joyce
The Duwamish River, Seattle's only river, has been polluted for over a century by toxic chemicals from sources including stormwater runoff, wastewater, and industrial practices. The Lower Duwamish Waterway (LDW) has served as Seattle's major industrial corridor since the early 1900s, causing the contamination of sediments (river bottom) with toxic chemicals. The most common pollutants are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), arsenic, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs), and dioxins. These toxic chemicals build up in the mud of the river and enter the food chain through flatfish, crabs, mussels, and clams. The EPA has declared the Duwamish River a Superfund site, making it eligible for a special federal cleanup program. Various settlements have been reached to fund natural resource restoration and habitat restoration projects, and cleanup efforts are ongoing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| River length | 12 miles |
| Pollution sources | Stormwater runoff, wastewater, industrial practices, combined sewer overflow, toxic metals, chemical contaminants, petroleum |
| Pollutants | PCBs, arsenic, cPAHs, dioxins, furans, fecal coliform bacteria |
| Cleanup methods | Dredging, capping, natural sedimentation, dredging, hotspot cleanup, trapping under sand |
| Cleanup leaders | EPA, Washington Department of Ecology, City of Seattle, King County, Port of Seattle, Boeing Company, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition |
| Settlements | Vigor Industrial, Exxon Mobil, Lynden Inc, Crowley, 8th Avenue Terminals Inc, Washington State Department of Transportation, General Recycling |
| Cleanup goals | Protect river environment, fish and wildlife, human health, restore natural habitats |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial practices and stormwater runoff
The Duwamish River, Seattle's only river, has been severely polluted for over a century. The lower Duwamish River was added to the EPA's Superfund list in 2001, making it eligible for a special federal cleanup program. The river's muddy bottom includes high levels of toxic sediment, resulting from industrial practices and stormwater runoff.
Industrial Practices
The LDW has served as Seattle's major industrial corridor since the early 1900s. The river was straightened and dredged in 1913 and has been used for industrial purposes ever since. In the early 1900s, the lower section of the river was straightened and dredged for industrial development, and by the 1940s, channelization had transformed a 9-mile estuary into the 5-mile LDW. The river's sediments have been contaminated with toxic chemicals from industrial practices, including toxic metals and PCBs.
Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater runoff is another major contributor to the pollution of the Duwamish River. There are 20,000 acres of land that drain into the river, and toxic chemicals from the surrounding area can find their way into the river through stormwater runoff. Combined sewer overflows, for instance, cause fecal coliform bacteria pollution in the river.
Cleanup Efforts
The EPA and the Washington Department of Ecology are leading the cleanup efforts of the Duwamish River. The EPA is responsible for administering the cleanup of sediments in the waterway, while the Department of Ecology controls the sources of pollution. The Lower Duwamish Waterway Group (LDWG), a partnership between the City of Seattle, King County, the Port of Seattle, and the Boeing Company, is also involved in the cleanup process.
Various settlements have been reached with companies to fund natural resource restoration and create habitat restoration projects. The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition (DRCC), a community advisory group, also continues to organize cleanup events, provide community education, and campaign for environmental justice.
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![The Pollution of Rivers and Its Effects Upon the Fisheries and Supply of Water to Towns and Villages 1878 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
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Toxic chemicals in the river
The Duwamish River has been polluted with toxic chemicals for over a century. The river has served as Seattle's major industrial corridor since the early 1900s, and this has contaminated the sediments (river bottom) with toxic chemicals from various sources, including stormwater runoff, wastewater, and industrial practices.
The toxic chemicals in the Duwamish River that pose the most significant danger to human health are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), arsenic, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs), dioxins, and furans. These toxic chemicals accumulate in the river's mud and resident seafood, such as flatfish (perch, sole, flounder), crab, mussels, and clams, which spend their entire lives in the river. Regular consumption of these contaminated seafood species can increase the likelihood of future health issues. Additionally, contact with the contaminated mud poses a health risk.
The Washington Department of Health has issued a fish advisory, recommending that people refrain from consuming crab, shellfish, and fish (excluding salmon) from the Lower Duwamish Waterway. Salmon, particularly those that do not remain in the river for extended periods, are considered the safest option. The EPA has designated the Lower Duwamish Waterway a "Superfund site," indicating severe contamination and eligibility for a special federal cleanup program.
The cleanup of the contaminated river bottom is led by the EPA, while the Washington State Department of Ecology takes the lead in controlling chemical pollution sources from entering the river from the surrounding area. The Lower Duwamish Waterway Group (LDWG), comprising the City of Seattle, King County, the Port of Seattle, and the Boeing Company, collaborates in the cleanup efforts.
The Duwamish River faces other types of pollution, such as fecal coliform bacteria caused by combined sewer overflows. Petroleum is the river's most common pollutant. Settlements have been reached with several companies, including Vigor Industrial, LLC, Exxon Mobil Corp., Lynden, Inc., and General Recycling, to fund natural resource restoration and resolve liability for injuries caused by hazardous waste pollution. These settlements will contribute to the restoration of habitats for salmon, wildlife, and local communities.
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Contaminated seafood and health risks
The Duwamish River, Seattle's only river, has been severely polluted with toxic chemicals for over a century. These toxic chemicals include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), arsenic, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs), dioxins, and furans. They enter the river through various routes, such as storm runoff, wastewater, and industrial practices. The contamination accumulates in the river's mud and resident seafood, including flatfish (perch, sole, flounder), crab, mussels, and clams. While salmon are considered safe to eat due to their short time in the river, consuming other seafood from the Duwamish River can pose significant health risks.
The consumption of contaminated seafood from the Duwamish River is associated with various health risks, particularly for certain vulnerable groups. The Fun to Catch, Toxic to Eat program, led by Public Health – Seattle & King County, aims to protect the health of fishing communities, especially pregnant and nursing women and young children. EPA studies have found that more than 20 ethnic and language groups fish in the river, with Asian, Pacific Islander (API), and Latino immigrant communities consuming and sharing the contaminated seafood. Language barriers have made it challenging to effectively communicate health warnings to fishers who speak limited or no English, primarily those who speak Vietnamese, Cambodian (Khmer), and Spanish.
The toxic chemicals in the contaminated seafood can have detrimental effects on human health. Regular consumption of the contaminated resident seafood from the Duwamish River can increase the likelihood of experiencing health problems in the future. These health issues may arise due to the accumulation of toxic chemicals in the body, which can interfere with normal bodily functions and increase the risk of developing various diseases. Additionally, contact with the contaminated mud along the river also poses health risks.
To address the health risks associated with contaminated seafood, various initiatives have been implemented. The EPA has developed the Duwamish Seafood Consumption Institutional Control Program to promote culturally appropriate, healthy actions within fishing communities. This program includes the Institutional Control Implementation and Assurance Plan (ICIAP), which provides strategies for promoting healthy seafood consumption and addressing barriers that may exist within the scope of the EPA's program. Community Health Advocates (CHAs) from Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Latino fishing communities play a crucial role in protecting their communities from the health risks associated with contaminated seafood. They help disseminate information, educate community members, and promote safe seafood consumption practices.
Additionally, settlements have been reached with several companies, including Vigor Industrial, LLC, Exxon Mobil Corp., Lynden, Inc., and General Recycling, to fund natural resource restoration and habitat restoration projects. These projects aim to restore estuary habitats, create natural habitats, and provide refuge and food sources for wildlife and various fish species, including juvenile salmon. The ongoing cleanup and restoration efforts led by the EPA, Ecology, and the Lower Duwamish Waterway Group (LDWG) are also reducing the pollution levels in the river, thereby decreasing the health risks associated with contaminated seafood.
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Cleanup efforts and restoration projects
The Duwamish River, Seattle's only river, has been subjected to various cleanup efforts and restoration projects due to its severe pollution. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a leading role in these endeavours, with the Washington State Department of Ecology also contributing significantly.
One of the initial steps in the cleanup process involved identifying and addressing the sources of chemical pollution. This “source control” approach aims to prevent toxic chemicals in the soil and groundwater from reaching the river through storm runoff and other routes. The EPA and Ecology have made considerable progress in this regard, reducing PCB contamination in the river bottom by approximately half.
The Lower Duwamish Waterway Group (LDWG), comprising the City of Seattle, King County, and the Boeing Company, has been actively implementing the EPA's cleanup plan. The LDWG's work is divided into three segments: the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Lower Duwamish Waterway. The cleanup commenced in the upper reach and will continue downstream over the next decade, with each section having its own design and schedule.
In 2014, the EPA issued a Final Cleanup Plan, also known as a "Record of Decision (ROD)", to address the remaining contaminated mud on the river bottom. This plan includes both active and passive cleanup measures. By late 2015, 50% of the PCB-contaminated sediment had been removed.
Various settlements have been reached with companies such as Vigor Industrial, LLC, Exxon Mobil Corp., Lynden, Inc., and General Recycling to fund and contribute to natural resource restoration projects. These projects aim to restore estuary habitats, create more natural habitats, and provide refuge and food sources for wildlife and fish species, including juvenile salmon.
The Port of Seattle has also made significant investments in improving the Duwamish River's condition and the surrounding community. They have spent over $80 million on Lower Duwamish Superfund projects, including soil and in-water sediment cleanup, habitat restoration, and community development. The Duwamish River People's Park, opened in 2022, is a notable example of their restoration efforts, providing critical habitat for threatened chinook salmon and open space for the community.
Community engagement and education are also vital aspects of the cleanup and restoration efforts. The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition (DRCC) has been actively organizing cleanup events, providing community education, and campaigning for environmental justice. The Port of Seattle and the City of Seattle are also involved in educating community members and fishers about the risks of consuming seafood from the river.
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Environmental justice and community involvement
The Duwamish River is Seattle's only river and has a long history of industrial use. The river's muddy bottom includes high levels of toxic sediment, a result of over a century of pollution from stormwater runoff, wastewater, and industrial practices. The toxic chemicals in the Duwamish River that are most dangerous to people's health are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), arsenic, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs), dioxins, and furans. These toxic chemicals build up in the mud of the river and contaminate the fish and shellfish that live there. Regularly eating resident seafood from the river can increase the chance of health problems later on.
In 2001, the lower Duwamish River was added to the EPA's national Superfund list, making it eligible for a special federal cleanup program due to the severity of its contamination. The EPA and Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) are overseeing the cleanup of this site, with the EPA taking the lead on investigating and cleaning up the waterway and Ecology leading efforts to control sources of pollution to the Waterway. The Lower Duwamish Waterway Group (LDWG), a partnership formed between the City of Seattle, King County, Port of Seattle, and the Boeing Company, is also involved in the cleanup efforts.
Community involvement in the Superfund cleanup is facilitated through the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition (DRCC), a community advisory group established in response to the EPA declaring the Duwamish a Superfund site. The DRCC continues to organize cleanup events, provide community education, and campaign for environmental justice. The EPA's Duwamish Community Involvement website and Duwamish Cleanup Facebook page also provide opportunities for the public to stay updated and get involved in the Superfund cleanup process.
The cleanup of the Duwamish River aims to protect the river environment, its fish and wildlife, and human health by reducing the levels of toxic chemicals. The greatest health risks are to people who eat seafood from the river, with some risk also associated with frequent contact with the river's mud. By addressing the contamination and restoring the natural habitat, the cleanup efforts will benefit the local communities and the wildlife that depend on the river.
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Frequently asked questions
The Lower Duwamish Waterway (LDW) Superfund Site is a 5-mile segment of Seattle's only river, the Duwamish. The LDW has served as Seattle's major industrial corridor since the early 1900s, resulting in the contamination of sediments (river bottom) with toxic chemicals from stormwater runoff, wastewater, and industrial practices.
Consumption of resident fish, shellfish, and crab, as well as contact with contaminated sediments, pose a risk to human health. The Washington Department of Health has advised against eating seafood from the river, except for salmon, which spend a short time in the river. The most common toxic chemicals found in the river include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), arsenic, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs), and dioxins.
The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition (DRCC) was established in 2001 as a community advisory group to organize cleanup events, provide education, and campaign for environmental justice. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also been working with local groups, agencies, and communities to study pollution and its effects, identify responsible parties, and implement cleanup plans.
The Duwamish River has been polluted by various industrial practices and stormwater runoff. There are 20,000 acres of land that drain into the river, allowing toxic chemicals from the soil and groundwater to enter the river through runoff and other routes. Specific sources include facilities like Jorgensen Forge, which has been linked to the contamination of riverbanks and sediments with toxic metals and PCBs.
