Meghan Hodges
Puget Sound is a rich source of resources that has sustained indigenous people for thousands of years. However, the region has faced severe environmental challenges due to pollution from various sources, threatening its delicate ecosystem and the health and well-being of its inhabitants. Pollution in Puget Sound comes from industrial facilities, sewage treatment plants, agricultural runoff, and everyday products, all contributing to a range of environmental and health issues. To prevent further pollution and mitigate its impacts, communities must tackle nutrient pollution, optimize wastewater treatment, reduce stormwater runoff, and advocate for stronger regulations and modern sewage treatment technologies. The health of Puget Sound's unique ecosystem and its inhabitants depends on effective pollution prevention and remediation strategies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutrient Pollution | Excess nutrients, especially nitrogen, from municipal wastewater treatment plants |
| Toxic Pollution | Heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, oil spills, air pollutants, fertilizers, industrial dumping |
| Source Control Tactics | Education, pollution prevention, innovative technologies, protection of vegetated areas, low-impact development, natural infrastructure, product bans, engineered solutions |
| Stormwater Runoff | Toxic threat to Puget Sound, carrying chemicals, fertilizers, oil, auto fluids, litter, and other pollutants directly into waterways |
| Sewage Treatment | Outdated technology in use at many plants, failing to remove nutrients and toxic chemicals |
| CAFO Pollution | Waste from concentrated animal feeding operations stored in unlined lagoons and over-applied to farmland, causing environmental and health issues |
| Remediation | Costly and challenging, but necessary to clean up contaminated waterways and sediments |
| Prevention | Vigilance against oil spills, improved management of stormwater runoff, and treatment of wastewater |
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What You'll Learn
Upgrade wastewater treatment technology
Wastewater treatment plants in Puget Sound vary in size and resources, and many are outdated and unable to remove excess nutrients. Municipal wastewater treatment plants are the single biggest source of nutrient pollution, with the largest facility in Puget Sound, King County's West Point Treatment Plant, contributing more than 18,000 pounds of nitrogen to the Sound every day.
Upgrading wastewater treatment plants can help to reduce their environmental impact and improve treatment processes to make them more sustainable. Implementing advanced treatment technologies and automated processes can lead to benefits such as reduced electric consumption, less manual labour, and increased overall efficiency.
There are several innovative technologies available that can help to improve wastewater treatment:
- Water reuse and recycling technologies allow wastewater to be treated so that it can be used again in the same location. Epic Cleantec, for example, provides distributed wastewater treatment with onsite water reuse for commercial or large residential buildings, recycling up to 95% of a building's wastewater.
- PFAS destruction technologies use ultraviolet light or an anode surface to break down PFAS molecules, converting them into water, fluoride, and simple carbon compounds.
- BioElectrochemical Treatment Technology (BETT) systems use naturally occurring microbes that produce electricity as they remove high concentrations of organic pollutants.
Upgrading wastewater treatment plants requires careful planning and consideration of various factors, including regulatory and safety guidelines, and collaboration between stakeholders such as utilities, engineering firms, and equipment suppliers.
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Reduce stormwater runoff
Stormwater runoff is one of the leading causes of pollution in Puget Sound. Urban areas are designed to move stormwater downstream through drains, pipes, and sewers, but this has been detrimental to the health of Puget Sound. Without the natural filtering effect of plants and soil, surface runoff increases and stream flows become more frequent and intense, leading to greater flooding and more polluted water entering Puget Sound.
To reduce stormwater runoff, it is important to implement a comprehensive and integrated approach that differs between urban and rural areas. Maintaining and restoring natural hydrologic systems, such as forests and wetlands, can help manage surface water runoff closer to its source.
In urban areas, it is crucial to address the issue of impervious surfaces, such as pavement, which cover a significant amount of land and prevent water from soaking into the ground. This leads to increased stormwater runoff, which collects and carries toxic chemicals and pollutants into Puget Sound. Implementing low-impact development practices and requiring retrofits for stormwater permits can help reduce polluted runoff.
Additionally, public education plays a vital role in reducing stormwater runoff. Educating the community about best practices and everyday activities that contribute to stormwater pollution, such as the use of lawn fertilizer, improper disposal of pet waste, and vehicle grease, can empower individuals to make more informed choices and reduce their impact on the environment.
By combining natural infrastructure solutions with regulatory tools and public awareness, it is possible to effectively reduce stormwater runoff and mitigate its negative impact on the delicate ecosystem of Puget Sound.
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Prevent oil spills
Oil spills are a major contributor to pollution in Puget Sound. They are toxic and pose a significant risk to Washington's environment, economy, public health, and historical and cultural resources. The state of Washington has one of the lowest oil spill rates in the nation, thanks to its strong safety prevention net. However, it is important to continue taking steps to prevent oil spills. Here are some ways to do that:
Preventing Oil Spills from Vessels
Spills from small vessels accounted for 75% of the oil spilled in Washington waters between 2006 and 2016. To reduce the risk of oil spills from small vessels, boat owners and operators should maintain their vessels properly and plan ahead for emergencies. This includes making a disaster preparedness plan, removing vessels from the water if possible during hurricanes, identifying safe harbors, and checking anchors and lines. They should also know the capacity of their fuel tank and leave room for fuel expansion to avoid overflows while refueling. Additionally, they should shut off the bilge pump while refueling and use absorbent pads or fuel collars to catch any drips.
Preventing Oil Spills from Other Sources
Oil spills can also occur from railroads, pipelines, and oil handling facilities. To prevent these, it is important to focus on human procedural and organizational factors. Individuals should not dump oil or oily waste into sewers or garbage, and they should try to reduce their overall oil consumption by opting for walking, biking, or taking the bus instead of driving.
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Improve sewage treatment
Sewage treatment is a type of wastewater treatment that aims to remove contaminants from sewage, thereby preventing water pollution. While sewage treatment has improved vastly since the passage of the Clean Water Act, communities across the country still dump pollutants into the nation's waters that are harmful to fish, wildlife, and humans.
To improve sewage treatment in Puget Sound, it is important to tackle nutrient pollution. Municipal wastewater treatment plants are the biggest source of nutrient pollution, with facilities contributing to excess nutrients that cause problems in the ecosystem. Upgrading wastewater treatment technology and investing in nutrient removal technology can help reduce nutrient pollution. The Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit provides a framework for communities to plan and invest in upgrading their wastewater treatment facilities.
In addition to upgrading facilities, it is important to improve the management of stormwater runoff, as it is a primary transporter of toxic, nutrient, and pathogen pollutants. Implementing comprehensive approaches to reduce stormwater runoff volumes and pollutant loadings, such as maintaining and restoring natural hydrologic systems of forests and wetlands, can help improve sewage treatment in Puget Sound.
Furthermore, remediation and cleanup of contaminated waterways and sediments are necessary to improve water quality. While remediation is costly and requires coordination among stakeholders, it is important to address legacy contaminants such as DDT and PCBs that impact water quality and can bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.
By addressing nutrient pollution, improving stormwater management, and remediating contaminated sites, sewage treatment in Puget Sound can be improved, leading to a healthier ecosystem and thriving communities.
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Protect vegetated areas and wetlands
Protecting vegetated areas and wetlands is essential to preventing pollution in Puget Sound. This involves maintaining and restoring natural hydrologic systems, such as forests and wetlands, to facilitate the infiltration of stormwater and surface water runoff, thereby reducing the volume of water that becomes polluted before it can reach Puget Sound.
Vegetated areas and wetlands act as natural filters, trapping pollutants and preventing them from entering water bodies. They also help to control the flow of water, reducing the risk of flooding and erosion, which can further contribute to pollution. By preserving and restoring these natural areas, the risk of pollutants entering the Puget Sound ecosystem is decreased.
Wetlands are particularly effective at filtering pollutants due to their unique characteristics. They can act as natural sponges, absorbing and storing excess water during floods and releasing it slowly, which helps to reduce the impact of flooding events. Additionally, the dense vegetation and soil in wetlands help to trap and filter out pollutants, including excess nutrients, sediments, and contaminants, through a process known as phytoremediation.
To protect these vital vegetated areas and wetlands, several actions can be taken. Firstly, local communities and governments can work together to optimize and restore natural hydrologic systems, ensuring effective infiltration and management of stormwater and surface water runoff. This includes implementing best management practices, such as maintaining natural buffers, preserving wetland vegetation, and minimizing disturbances to these sensitive areas.
Additionally, education and awareness play a crucial role in protection. By informing the public about the importance of vegetated areas and wetlands for pollution prevention, people can become active stewards of their local environments. This can lead to increased community involvement in wetland restoration projects, as well as individual actions such as reducing the use of pollutants and properly disposing of hazardous materials.
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Frequently asked questions
The sources of pollution in Puget Sound include oil spills, air pollutants, sewage, fertilizers, erosion, runoff from roads, parking lots, and industrial dumping.
Pollution in Puget Sound has led to shellfish closures, beach closures, impaired drinking water sources, consumption warnings for fish, and low oxygen conditions that kill marine species. It has also impacted the health and reproduction of species such as Chinook salmon, orca whales, and other wildlife.
Efforts to prevent pollution in Puget Sound include improving wastewater treatment technology, implementing cleanup of contaminated sites, warning systems for contaminated seafood, and reducing stormwater runoff through natural hydrologic systems.
Individuals can play a role in preventing pollution in Puget Sound by reducing their use of toxic chemicals, properly disposing of everyday products, and supporting initiatives that protect and restore the natural environment.
