Public Health services must respond to water quality concerns of entire communities. Here KCHD laboratory workers Margarite Juarez (standing) and Susie Magdamit (seated) analyze 40-60 fecal coliform water samples and 20-40 drinking water specimens per day.

This week scientists converged in Olympia to launch multi-agency response systems, develop dissolved oxygen analysis models, and seek solutions to prevent a “dead sea” hypoxia crisis in Hood Canal… while one small community contemplates their future in Gorst and another venerate a minor fruition in Liberty Bay.

Public health professionals, warriors on the front line of protecting our basic right to clean water, have increasingly sought help in tackling complex problems through community coalitions and scientific partnerships. The Kitsap County Health District (KCHD) have forged partnerships with more than 80 other local, State, federal entities and support services that improve the health and environment of Kitsap County. This community-based approach is the logical way to achieve collective public health goals in these times of limited resources.

So, it shouldn’t surprise you to find the local KCHD participating in statewide investigative efforts with leading experts in their respective fields of oceanography, ecology, fisheries, and geology; the next evening trying to labor through the individual problems of an entire community, and the following day down on the water working with a local foundation to restore the health of their bay. Nevertheless, it does amaze.

Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act requires states to list all surface waters where pollutants have impaired the beneficial uses of the water, such as for drinking, recreation, aquatic habitat and industrial use. The KCHD has been monitoring the water quality in the upper Hood Canal watershed since 1996, to include 10 prominent streams and 21 marine water stations. The upper Hood Canal is listed for low levels of dissolved oxygen, while three of the prominent streams are listed for high temperatures and six for fish habitat.

Waters placed on the 303(d) list require water cleanup plans — known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). TMDLs describe the type, amount, and sources of water pollution in these water bodies, analyze how much needs to be reduced or eliminated to achieve clean water, and provide pollution control strategies. A TMDL study plan is nearing completion for fecal coliforms in Sinclair and Dyes Inlet through the assistance of the U.S. Navy and ENVVEST program, Kitsap County Health District, Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. EPA. Gorst Creek has been second on the WRIA 15 priority list for TMDL plans and the KCHD has participated in the third on that list, the Union River completed last year for fecal coliforms.

The goal of the “Hood Canal Low Dissolved Oxygen Meeting” held in Olympia on July 22, was to finalize a Phase 1 plan to measure dissolved oxygen levels throughout the Hood Canal — in real time, monthly and possibly through installation of a Bi-Optical Buoy nicknamed “BOB” that would be donated to the project by Battelle Labs.

Phase 2 was discussed amongst the attendees, which included the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, University of Washington School of Oceanography, Mason County Conservation District, Dept. of Health, Public Works, KCHD, federal U.S. Geological Survey, Washington State departments of Health, Ecology, Fish & Wildlife, Natural Resources, Puget Sound Action Team, and Battelle. The plan will also involve members of the two tribes, NOAA fisheries, Navy, Kitsap and Jefferson Conservation Districts. No matter what will evolve from this grand collaboration, it is certain that it won’t be cheap, it will be difficult… but it must be done before meaningful solutions can be brought to fore.

“The nearshore has shown the lowest levels of oxygen while we now see historically low values in the upper reach of the canal. This is something of a ‘canary in the mine’ at levels that may not sustain marine life. Larger fish kills use even more oxygen from decomposition while clams and oysters die off at saturation levels below 40 percent… and they can’t move to save themselves,” said Jan Newton, with the WSDOE. Others, such as Mary Lou Mills with WDFW, predicted conditions could worsen to those that prompted the first bottom-fishing closure last year. “We’re asking that people call the spill response line because the agencies are mobilized to respond,” she said.

Beach watchers are being recruited to look for dead or dying fish and the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is looking for more volunteers, particularly divers and boaters, to test for dissolved oxygen at depths of 10 meters. “Surface sampling is still useful to measure salinity, intrusion and other measures as we’ll get with BOB, but we’re looking for consistent sampling at a depth of concern and we might see levels drop even at night compared to the day,” stated Bob Hager of the Lower Hood Canal Watershed Implementation Committee. To volunteer for either activity, call Dan in the HCSEG office at 360-275-3575.

On July 24, the community of Gorst convened to discuss the very local, but equally as challenging, solutions to the sewage problems plaguing that area since the State Department of Health declared it a severe public health hazard in 1997. According to Stuart Whitford of the KCHD, “30 percent have had failing or suspect on-site sewage systems due to inability of soils to perform septic system treatment and the difficulty in transferring waste to a sewage treatment plant, resulting in surfacing of untreated sewage in parking lots, driveways, walkways, and residential lawns.”

Documented observances during shoreline surveys over the years report raw sewage being discharged into stormwater ditches, Gorst Creek, and Sinclair Inlet - contaminating stormwater drainage systems, fresh water streams and marine shorelines. Lot sizes are too small to remedy the sewage treatment problems, while unsuitable soils and shallow water tables, convex hillsides and tidal influences all conspire to prevent adequate treatment with alternative systems. “An alternative may be to utilize a community drainfield in suitable soils upland and this is an opportunity to encourage residents to come up with their own community solutions,” said Whitford.

“Historic problems of failing septic systems have existed since 1949, and untreated sewage has been pumped into Sinclair Inlet for the past decade. The cost and failure of the ULID and expensive repairs makes our task more difficult but our goal is to work with the residents and the business owners to find either a community solution or work with them to come up with individual solutions. We will do whatever it takes to come up with the best solution that is available to us in solving the remaining septic failures in Gorst. Our goal isn’t to vacate or condemn properties but find an acceptable solution for all those impacted. We will be working in the coming months with our politicians and other Federal, state and county agencies to see if we can obtain grant funding for Gorst. If that doesn’t work out we will work with each business and homeowner and their certified designer or engineer to come up with the best on-site septic repair.” Environmental Health Director, Jerry Deeter explained.

On the subject of sewers, Rick Gagnon, Kitsap County Wastewater Management Program Manager and John Poppe, City of Bremerton Public Works, shared explanations based on previous funding and offered possible alternatives that would be studied. “The value of the improvement can not exceed the assessed value and an LID was not determined to be financially viable. Until it would change, this area is still outside the Urban Growth Area as well. I like sewers, if it was feasible I’d like to have sewer here.” said Gagnon.

Commissioner Jan Angel was on hand to clarify the county position and offered her assurance, saying, “We will exercise every option to solve this problem. I will work together with the community and we will help you come to a solution.”

Also present, Commissioner Patty Lent spoke of her discussions with members of Congress and the U.S. Navy. “I have made a request and they are aware of the need here. We have our grants person also looking into things,” she said.

The Liberty Bay Foundation announced the completion of water quality testing in the Nearshore Habitat Enhancement Project, sponsored by a $214,148 grant from the DOE-EPA 319 Nonpoint pollution fund. They will begin a new phase to include shoreline inventory, benthic invertebrate and more citizen involvement. Continuing shoreline restoration will take place in the late fall through a $43,000 state Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant.

The KCHD has partnered with the project providing training for volunteers while performing chemical and fecal coliform analysis in their accredited laboratory. “This collaboration assists us in collecting data that helps prioritize polluted watersheds, such as Bjorgen and Johnson Creeks, so that we can work with the citizens towards solutions to enhance the health of those streams. We are completing that in Dogfish Creek now with a good degree of improvement,” said Whitford. “I think the biggest bang for the buck, however, has been the educational support provided by the LBF. The actions taken by citizens and their involvement in the project has fostered stewardship and helped the KCHD’s efforts.”

Community members of all ages are encouraged to take part in the LBF Shoreline Assessment beginning in mid-August and September.

For more information visit www.libertybayfoundation.com or email: volunteer@libertybayfoundation.com.