Department of Ecology News Release - Oct. 26, 2000 00-212
OLYMPIA - If Washington residents refer to the cup being half full, then that's how Washington's lakes, rivers, estuaries and ground water rate - about half healthy.
In the Department of Ecology's (Ecology) recently published 2000 Washington State Water Quality Assessment Report describing the health of the state's waters, the agency's monitoring data found some pollution problems in 54 percent of all rivers and streams, 79 percent of the state's marine waters, and 37 percent of lakes.
The federal Clean Water Act requires Ecology to assess the health of all of Washington's waters every two years and report the findings to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. In turn, the EPA compiles information from all 50 states and presents it to the U.S. Congress.
"The data we've collected show that many sources of pollution in our state are very preventable, and it will help guide our decisions about permits, cleanup, funding and other issues," said Megan White, Ecology's water-quality manager. "The information also helps local governments, industries and citizens identify what they need to do to prevent and clean up water pollution."
The assessment report continues to show that activities citizens do every day cause the polluted runoff that is the leading cause of water pollution.
"That means citizens can make a real difference in the health of our rivers and lakes by adopting water-healthy lifestyles," White said.
Scientists at Ecology used monitoring information from state and federal sources for the assessment report. The sampling information comes from approximately 5 percent of the rivers and streams in Washington, 40 percent of the lakes and 6 percent of the estuaries. However, the sampling information is representative of nearly all the waters in Washington.
Ecology assessed the waters based on how well they supported uses that the public expects such as fish and other aquatic life, swimming, boating and aesthetic enjoyment. The main findings of the report are:
Rivers and streams -- The majority of rivers and streams are healthy, although 54 percent have at least one pollution problem. Agricultural activities such as livestock operations, urban development and forestry practices in or near streams are the leading causes of pollution in rivers and streams with pollution problems. Those activities increase water temperatures, unbalance pH levels (measure of acid in water) and put fecal coliform bacteria into the streams and rivers. Increased water temperatures and unbalanced pH levels are problems for most fish that need cool, clean water, while fecal coliform bacteria is primarily a problem for people. The fecal coliform test indicates that bacteria or pathogens are in the water, which can make people very sick if ingested through swimming in the river or eating contaminated shellfish.
Lakes -- The majority of lakes are healthy. Pollution from agricultural activities and urban runoff are the greatest concern in lakes with pollution problems. Excessive nutrients from agricultural and gardening fertilizers, animal waste and failing septic systems cause algae to grow; in turn, algae can make waters unhealthy for fish and other aquatic life because it can eventually kill or choke a lake. Algae can also make lakes smelly, unattractive and dangerous for people to recreate on and enjoy.
Ground water -- Over all, the report found that Washington's groundwater quality is good. Most of the state's residents drink ground water - 65 percent of the people in Western Washington and 85 percent in Eastern Washington. Only 1.5 percent of the state's public water systems has ground water contaminated with nitrates from agricultural and gardening fertilizers, animal manure and failing septic systems. Individual, more shallow wells are likely to have more contamination. Drinking water contaminated with nitrates can sicken infants who are fed formula or other beverages made with the polluted water. Bacteria, arsenic and organic chemicals also contaminate ground water.
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