Publication Summary

In November 1993, the Environmental Investigations and Laboratory Services Program at Ecology was asked to review existing Thea Foss storm drain data. Most of these data were generated by the city of Tacoma during a 1987-1989 study of water quality in Foss (then called City Waterway) and other areas of inner Commencement Bay. The objectives of this review are to: 1) provide staff of the Commencement Bay Urban Bay Action Team an evaluation of the usefulness of these data in efforts to identify contaminant sources, and 2) make recommendations on actions to better identify sources of contaminants in Foss storm drains.

Thea Foss Waterway, located in inner Commencement Bay, is heavily contaminated with a variety of pollutants from point and non-point sources. A number of storm drains discharging into the waterway have been shown to be substantial contributors to the problem. Remediation of the waterway is scheduled to begin in the near future. In order for the city of Tacoma to begin the remediation process, information on existing sources of contamination is needed so that the city may begin to identify and eliminate these sources.

In November 1993, the Environmental Investigations and Laboratory Services Program at Ecology was asked to review existing Thea Foss storm drain data. Most of these data were generated by the city of Tacoma during a 1987-1989 study of water quality in Foss (then called City Waterway) and other areas of inner Commencement Bay. The objectives of this review are to: 1) provide staff of the Commencement Bay Urban Bay Action Team an evaluation of the usefulness of these data in efforts to identify contaminant sources, and 2) make recommendations on actions to better identify sources of contaminants in Foss storm drains.

Memorandum through Dale Norton to Joyce Mercuri, March 30.