John,

Did you know that domestic sewage is the largest source of nutrient pollution to Puget Sound? The Department of Ecology seeks public comment on how wastewater treatment plants will transition to advanced wastewater technology in the coming years.

Treated wastewater from urban areas contributes much more nutrient pollution than agricultural pollution or stormwater. In the summer months, nutrients from wastewater act as fertilizer and spur algae blooms in the water. When the algae dies and decays, it uses up vital oxygen in the process, which means less oxygen for fish.

Make your voice heard to improve wastewater treatment practices

Make your voice heard on the future of sewage discharges to Puget Sound. Urge the Department of Ecology to transition wastewater treatment plants to advanced technologies that reduce nutrient pollution in the preliminary draft Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit.

Reducing nutrient pollution has been recommended multiple times over the years. In 2012, the Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification recommended reducing human sources of nutrients, like sewage, because nutrient pollution worsens acidification within Puget Sound’s inlets that produce abundant shellfish. More recently, the Orca Recovery Task Force recommended reducing wastewater pollution and transitioning to advanced technology now.

Even more, the Puget Sound is the Suquamish Tribe’s traditional fishing areas and their treaty rights extend to the Seattle shoreline. Recently, they notified King County they intended to sue over repeated sewage spills into the waters where they fish and gather shellfish.

By taking the time to submit a public comment, you can help launch efforts to clean up existing messes, putting the region on a better path for future generations. Communities from Shelton to Sequim to Spokane have upgraded wastewater treatment plants, and now is the time for all plants around Puget Sound to modernize.

Support clean water and tell Ecology that every community must do its part to clean up sewage pollution and prepare for the future.

Thanks for all you do,

Mindy Roberts
Puget Sound Program Director