Bronte Wells
Puget Sound has been a source of sustenance for indigenous people for thousands of years. However, the exploitation of its resources and pollution of its waters has been rampant since the arrival of Europeans. Today, the Puget Sound is under threat from various sources of pollution, including oil spills, pharmaceuticals, sewage, stormwater runoff, and marine debris. The impact of this pollution is far-reaching, with toxic chemicals entering the food web and harming species such as Chinook salmon and orca whales. While efforts are being made to address the issue, the lack of regulatory action and the increasing population in the region continue to pose significant challenges to protecting the Puget Sound.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population growth | The population of the 12 counties bordering Puget Sound has more than doubled since 1960, from 1.8 million to 4.4 million in 2008. |
| Urbanization | 67% of Washington State's population lives in the Puget Sound region. |
| Habitat loss | More than 30% of the Sound's 2,500 miles of shoreline are reinforced by artificial bulkheads, seawalls, and other structures that can destroy shoreline vegetation. |
| Water pollution | Sources of water pollution include oil spills, pharmaceuticals, sewage, industrial dumping, and stormwater runoff. |
| Air pollution | Air pollution is also a concern in the Puget Sound region. |
| Toxic chemicals | Toxic chemicals entering Puget Sound include heavy metals (e.g., copper, lead, zinc, mercury), pesticides, PCBs, phthalates, and more. |
| Polluted stormwater | Stormwater runoff is the number one toxic threat to Puget Sound, carrying chemicals, fertilizers, oil, auto fluids, and litter. |
| Marine debris | Marine debris includes human-made trash, discarded equipment, and other solid material, with plastic being the most common type. |
| Endangered species | Chinook salmon, orca whales, and other wildlife species are threatened by pollution in Puget Sound. |
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What You'll Learn
Sources of pollution: oil spills, pharmaceuticals, and industrial dumping
Puget Sound has been a source of sustenance for indigenous people for thousands of years. However, the arrival of Europeans brought new technology that enabled the exploitation of these resources at an unprecedented level. The waterways were used as dumping grounds for waste, and as the population grew, the pressure on the waters increased.
Today, pollution in Puget Sound comes from various sources, including oil spills, pharmaceuticals, and industrial dumping. Oil spills, for instance, can have catastrophic consequences for wildlife and water quality. Even small spills can threaten water bodies, and the impact of a large spill can be devastating. To prevent such disasters, organisations like the Puget Sound Partnership participate in regional oil-spill planning and prevention forums. In 2012, the Puget Sound Partnership Oil Spill Work Group and the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee formed a joint Vessel Traffic Risk Assessment (VTRA) Steering Committee to address these issues.
Pharmaceuticals are another significant source of pollution in Puget Sound. Sewage treatment plants release a toxic mix of unregulated "emerging pollutants," including birth control hormones, antibiotics, antidepressants, painkillers, and laundry chemicals. These toxins enter the food web, causing harm to species such as Chinook salmon and orca whales. The toxins impact the reproductive abilities, energy levels, disease resistance, and behaviour of these species.
Industrial dumping also contributes to the pollution in Puget Sound. Despite permits being required for discharges into public waters, a large amount of toxic material enters the waterways. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made nonpoint source pollution, which comes from many sources across a region, a priority for regulation. However, enforcement remains challenging. Puget Soundkeeper, an environmental organisation, takes legal action against facilities that violate their permits and continue to pollute the Sound.
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Population growth and urbanization
The primary sources of pollution in Puget Sound are point source and non-point source pollution. Point source pollution comes from a single facility, pipe, or vessel, while non-point source pollution comes from many sources across the region. Stormwater runoff, which is considered the number one toxic threat to Puget Sound, is an example of non-point source pollution. As the population grows, the amount of stormwater runoff is likely to increase, as more roads and sidewalks will be needed to accommodate the increased number of people and vehicles. This will result in more chemicals, fertilizers, oils, and litter being washed into the waterways.
In addition to stormwater runoff, population growth and urbanization can also contribute to pollution from sewage, logging, farming, and industrial dumping. Sewage treatment plants have been known to discharge untreated or undertreated sewage containing pharmaceuticals and personal care products into Puget Sound, harming the food web and species such as Chinook salmon and orca whales. As the demand for housing increases, there is also a risk of further loss of old-growth forests, native prairies, and tidal marshes, which can degrade water quality and damage fish and wildlife habitats.
To address these issues, various strategies have been proposed. The "Land Development and Land Cover Implementation Strategy" aims to reduce the rate of new development taking over ecologically important areas. Developers have also been encouraged to transfer development rights to urban areas, protecting rural lands in exchange for higher urban density. Additionally, organizations such as the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and Northwest Environmental Advocates (NWEA) are working to reduce pollution and hold polluters accountable through legal action.
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Toxic chemicals and heavy metals
Puget Sound, the second-largest marine estuary in the nation, has been a source of sustenance for indigenous people for thousands of years. However, the arrival of Europeans brought new technology that enabled the exploitation of these resources at an unprecedented level. Today, Puget Sound faces pollution from various sources, including oil spills, sewage, stormwater runoff, marine debris, and industrial dumping.
Stormwater runoff is the primary source of toxic chemicals entering Puget Sound, accounting for about 75% of the toxic chemicals in the water. This runoff picks up pollutants such as bacteria from lawn fertilizers, copper from brake pads, oil from vehicle emissions, and other toxins that can be deadly to wildlife, including salmon and orcas. The impact of stormwater runoff on fish is significant; in urban waters like Lake Union, stormwater may kill up to 80% of migrating coho salmon before they can spawn.
The sources of these toxic chemicals and heavy metals are often attributed to the everyday activities of the 4.4 million people living in the region. Population growth, urbanization, and the resulting increase in hard surfaces covering the land have intensified the problem. The Washington Department of Ecology has been criticized for its lack of regulatory action to control pollution, and lawsuits have been filed to reduce the levels of toxics in Puget Sound waters.
Despite the challenges, there are ongoing efforts to address the issue. The Puget Soundkeeper Alliance works to secure strong pollution permits for industries and takes legal action against facilities that violate their permits. Additionally, researchers are tracking contaminants of emerging concern from consumer products and industries found in stormwater discharge. The development of green infrastructure in cities, such as rain gardens and swales, also helps capture and filter polluted stormwater before it enters Puget Sound. These collective efforts aim to reduce the impact of toxic chemicals and heavy metals on the delicate ecosystem of Puget Sound.
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Stormwater runoff
The Puget Sound basin receives up to 40 inches of rain each year, resulting in an average of more than 370 billion gallons of stormwater runoff. This stormwater runoff carries a variety of pollutants, including metals, nutrients, suspended solids, fecal coliform, oils and grease, petroleum, zinc, copper, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These pollutants have been shown to be extremely harmful to the ecosystem, with studies indicating that they can kill coho salmon in as little as three hours.
The impact of stormwater runoff on the environment and public health has led to efforts to address the issue. Puget Soundkeeper, for example, works to enforce pollution permits for local businesses and influence the limits imposed by those permits to keep waterways clean and protected. They also provide resources and support to reduce stormwater pollution and educate the public about best practices.
In addition to the work of organizations like Puget Soundkeeper, there are individual actions that can be taken to mitigate stormwater runoff. These include driving less, fixing vehicle oil leaks, using natural yard care products instead of chemicals, reporting pollution, washing cars on lawns or at commercial car washes, and reducing the use of single-use plastics.
By implementing these solutions and working towards more sustainable urban development, it is possible to reduce the negative impact of stormwater runoff on the Puget Sound ecosystem and improve the health of the region.
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Marine debris and sewage
Marine debris, or human-made trash, is a major issue for Puget Sound. This includes discarded equipment and other solid material that enters the waterways, floating out to sea or washing up on beaches and shorelines. Most marine debris is plastic, and it is generated entirely by humans. Cigarette butts, for example, are the most commonly found item on beaches and shorelines worldwide. The only solutions to this problem are to stop using so many disposable items, to dispose of trash properly, and to clean up the existing debris.
The threat of marine debris is compounded by sewage pollution. Sewage treatment plants are conveying a toxic soup of so-called "emerging pollutants", which are not regulated. These include birth control hormones, antibiotics, antidepressants, painkillers, and laundry chemicals. These toxics enter the Puget Sound food web, harming Chinook salmon, orca whales, and many other species of fish and wildlife. They cause a range of health problems, impacting the ability of species to reproduce, their energy levels, their behaviour, and their ability to fight off diseases.
The Washington Department of Ecology is responsible for controlling pollution, but there has been little regulatory action. The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is in place to control pollutants at point sources, but there are very few water pollution permits issued that place limits on the discharge of toxic pollutants.
The sources of these pollutants are varied. Stormwater runoff is a significant contributor, as rainwater washes chemicals, fertilizers, oil, auto fluids, and litter off roads and sidewalks directly into the waterways. This is the number one toxic threat to Puget Sound. Over 20 billion gallons of oil and other toxic chemicals are transported through Washington State annually, and oil spills, even small ones, threaten wildlife and water quality. Industrial facilities are another source, as while they are required to have permits to discharge into public waters, a large amount of toxic material still enters Puget Sound.
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Frequently asked questions
The pollution in Puget Sound is caused by a variety of factors, including population growth, urbanization, industrial dumping, sewage, stormwater runoff, and marine debris.
The toxic pollution in Puget Sound has harmed Chinook salmon, orca whales, and many other species of fish and wildlife. It has also impacted the ability of species to reproduce, their energy levels, and their behaviour, including their ability to avoid predators.
Efforts are being made to reduce the levels of toxics in Puget Sound waters. This includes legal action and partnerships with cities to improve water quality. The development of green infrastructure and natural solutions to pollution is also being explored.
Individuals can make a difference by reducing their use of disposable items, properly disposing of trash, and adopting more sustainable habits such as driving less, using natural yard care products, and avoiding single-use plastics.
