Bronte Wells
The Duwamish River, Seattle's only river, has been heavily polluted for over a century. In 2001, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared it a Superfund site, making it eligible for a special federal cleanup program. The river's pollution stems from various sources, including stormwater runoff, wastewater, industrial practices, and Combined Sewer Overflow events. Toxic chemicals such as PCBs, arsenic, cPAHs, dioxins, and furans have contaminated the river's sediments, fish, and shellfish, posing significant risks to human health and the environment. The EPA, the Washington Department of Ecology, and various local groups are working together to clean up the river and reduce pollution sources. Despite the industrialization of the Duwamish River, it remains an important habitat for wildlife, and efforts are being made to restore and protect the area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| River length | 9 miles |
| Pollution sources | Stormwater runoff, wastewater, industrial practices, Combined Sewer Overflow events, toxic metals, and chemicals |
| Pollutants | PCBs, arsenic, cPAHs, dioxins, furans, petroleum, fecal coliform bacteria |
| Cleanup efforts | EPA-led Superfund Site cleanup, LDWG collaboration, DRCC community education and events, natural restoration projects |
| Cleanup goals | Reduce health risks, protect wildlife and fish habitats, improve water quality, address sources of pollution |
| Responsible parties | City of Seattle, King County, Port of Seattle, Boeing Company, Vigor Industrial, Exxon Mobil Corp., Lynden Inc., General Recycling |
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What You'll Learn
The Duwamish River is Seattle's only river
The river's muddy bottom includes high levels of toxic sediment, caused by the river's long history of industrial use and continued pollution from stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflow events. Over 40 hazardous substances have been found in the river sediments, including 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 (perch, sole, flounder), crab, mussels, and clams that spend their entire lives in the river. Regularly consuming these types of seafood from the river can increase the risk of health problems later on.
The EPA and the Washington Department of Ecology are overseeing the cleanup of the Duwamish River, with the goal of protecting the river environment, its wildlife, and human health by reducing the levels of toxic chemicals. The City of Seattle, King County, the Port of Seattle, and aerospace manufacturer Boeing have already contributed $200 million towards initial efforts to reduce PCB levels, and phase two of the cleanup is expected to cost $340 million. The work will include dredging areas prone to erosion and addressing the sources of continuing pollution.
Despite the industrialization of the Duwamish River, it remains an important habitat for wildlife in the area. Thousands of salmon and trout visit the marshes and estuaries each year to spawn, and several restoration projects are underway to restore estuary habitats and create more natural habitats for wildlife and fish species, including juvenile salmon.
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The river has been heavily polluted for over a century
The Duwamish River is Seattle's only river, and it flows through the city's industrial core into Elliott Bay. In 1913, the river was straightened and dredged, and it has since been used for both industry and fishing. The industrialization of the river has had severe ecological consequences, with toxic chemicals building up in the mud and getting into the flatfish, crab, mussels, and clams that live there. These toxic chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), arsenic, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs), dioxins, and furans, pose significant risks to human health. Regular consumption of seafood from the river can lead to health problems, and contact with the contaminated mud is also hazardous.
The severity of the pollution in the Duwamish River has led to it being designated as a Superfund site by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2001. This means that it is eligible for a special federal cleanup program due to the extent of its contamination. The EPA has been working with various groups, agencies, and communities to address the pollution and protect the river's environment, fish, wildlife, and human health. The Final Cleanup Plan, released in 2014, outlines the technologies and extent of the river's cleanup.
Despite the ongoing cleanup efforts, the Duwamish River continues to face pollution from various sources. Petroleum is the river's most common pollutant, and it also faces issues with fecal coliform bacteria caused by combined sewer overflows. Climate change also poses new threats to the region's wildlife and people, such as the potential die-off of the endangered Chinook salmon if water temperatures rise too high.
The rehabilitation of the Duwamish River extends beyond just the river channel; it aims to improve the well-being of the communities that live nearby. Various settlements have been reached with companies to fund natural resource restoration and create new habitats for wildlife, including salmon, migratory birds, and other species. The Duwamish River remains an important habitat for wildlife in the area, and the ongoing restoration efforts aim to protect and enhance this ecosystem.
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The EPA is leading the cleanup of the contaminated river bottom
The Duwamish River is Seattle's only river and has served as the city's major industrial corridor since the early 1900s. Over the years, the river has been polluted with toxic chemicals from various sources, including stormwater runoff, wastewater, and industrial practices. As a result, the river's sediments, fish, and shellfish contain harmful substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), arsenic, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs), and dioxins.
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 leads the cleanup of the contaminated mud and sediments at the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site, with the goal of reducing the levels of toxic chemicals that pose risks to human health and the environment. The EPA has worked with various groups, agencies, and communities to study pollution in the river and develop cleanup plans.
The EPA's Final Cleanup Plan, also known as the "Record of Decision (ROD)", was released in 2014. This plan outlines the technologies and methods that will be used to address the different levels of contamination in the river. The EPA proposes to dredge and cap the Superfund site, treating and excavating contaminated soil, sand, and sediment from the river bottom. The plan also includes enhanced natural recovery and monitored natural recovery for certain areas.
The EPA's policy is to have the polluters pay for the cleanup, and they expect potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to design and construct the remaining sediment cleanup. The EPA will oversee the process, monitor the site over time, and repeat testing to assess progress toward long-term cleanup goals. The EPA also provides opportunities for community involvement and input throughout the cleanup process.
The Duwamish River cleanup is a complex and ongoing process, and the EPA is working to address the contamination and protect the health of the river, its wildlife, and the surrounding communities.
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The Duwamish River is a Superfund site
The Duwamish River is Seattle's only river, and it has also been called the Lower Duwamish Waterway (LDW). The river flows between the neighbourhoods of Georgetown and South Park and through the industrial core of Seattle into Elliott Bay. The LDW has served as Seattle's major industrial corridor since the early 1900s, which has resulted in the contamination of the riverbed with toxic chemicals from various sources, including stormwater runoff, wastewater, and industrial practices.
In 2001, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared the last five miles of the Duwamish River towards Elliott Bay a Superfund site, making it eligible for a special federal cleanup program due to the severity of its contamination. The EPA and Washington Department of Ecology are overseeing the cleanup of this site, with the EPA leading the cleanup of the contaminated mud at the river bottom and the Washington Department of Ecology controlling the sources of chemical pollution from the surrounding area.
The Duwamish River Superfund Site has multiple phases. The Lower Duwamish Waterway Group (LDWG), made up of potentially responsible parties (PRPs), and the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition/Technical Advisory Group (DRCC/TAG), a community advisory group, have been formed to address the cleanup of the river. The LDWG includes the City of Seattle, King County, the Port of Seattle, and the Boeing Company, who have already cleaned up some of the most polluted spots along the river, reducing PCB contamination in the river bottom by approximately half.
The Final Cleanup Plan, also known as the "Record of Decision (ROD)", was released in December 2014 and details the types of technologies that will be used to clean up different levels of contamination and the extent of the river's cleanup. The plan requires both active and passive cleanup measures, and testing will be repeated to assess progress toward long-term cleanup goals. The ultimate goal of the long-term cleanup of the Duwamish River is to protect the river environment, its fish and wildlife, and human health by reducing the levels of toxic chemicals.
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The greatest health risk is to people who eat seafood from the river
The Duwamish River is Seattle's only river, and it has been severely polluted for over a century. The Lower Duwamish River was added to the EPA's National Superfund list in 2001, designating it as one of the country's most toxic sites. The river's pollution stems from various sources, including stormwater runoff, wastewater, industrial practices, and Combined Sewer Overflow events.
The toxic chemicals in the river that pose the greatest danger to human health include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), arsenic, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs), and dioxins. These toxins accumulate in the river's mud and resident seafood, such as flatfish (perch, sole, flounder), crab, mussels, and clams. While salmon are generally considered safe to eat due to their short time in the river, consuming other types of seafood from the Duwamish River can increase the risk of health problems.
The Washington Department of Health has issued advisories against eating crab, shellfish, and fish (except salmon) from the river. The EPA and local organizations have implemented cleanup efforts, such as dredging contaminated sediments and addressing ongoing pollution sources. However, despite these efforts, the Duwamish River remains highly polluted, and the greatest health risks are associated with consuming seafood from the river.
The Duwamish River has a long history of industrial use, and its straightening and dredging in 1913 further contributed to its transformation into an industrial and commercial corridor. The river has served as Seattle's major industrial hub since the early 1900s, resulting in the contamination of its sediments and the subsequent impact on human health and the environment. The cleanup of the river is a complex and ongoing process involving various government agencies, community organizations, and responsible parties.
The Duwamish River faces other types of pollution, such as fecal coliform bacteria and petroleum, which further contribute to its degraded state. The river's rehabilitation is crucial not only for the environment but also for the well-being of the surrounding communities. The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition and other groups are actively working to address these issues and restore the river's health, protect wildlife, and promote environmental justice.
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Frequently asked questions
The Lower Duwamish Waterway (LDW) Superfund Site is a five-mile segment of Seattle's only river, the Duwamish, which flows into Elliott Bay. It was designated a Superfund Site by the EPA in 2001 due to its high levels of toxic sediment and chemical pollution.
The river has a long history of industrial use, with the LDW serving as Seattle's major industrial corridor since the early 1900s. Pollution sources include stormwater runoff, wastewater, combined sewer overflow, and industrial practices.
The toxic chemicals in the river, such as PCBs, arsenic, cPAHs, dioxins, and furans, can accumulate in resident seafood like flatfish, crab, mussels, and clams. Regular consumption of these contaminated seafood can increase the risk of health problems. Contact with contaminated mud and sediments also poses a risk to human health.
Various organizations, including the EPA, Washington Department of Ecology, City of Seattle, King County, Port of Seattle, Boeing Company, and community groups like the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, are working together to clean up the river. Efforts include sediment cleanup, source control, and natural restoration projects.
Cleanup and restoration efforts are ongoing. Significant progress has been made, with PCB contamination reduced by half since 2013. Settlements have been reached with multiple companies to fund natural resource restoration and habitat restoration projects. The EPA and its partners continue to work towards reducing pollution and protecting the health of the river, its wildlife, and the surrounding communities.
