Liberty Bay Tributaries
Water Quality Improvement Project

WRIA	15
County	Kitsap
Parameter	Fecal Coliform
Current Status	TMDL under development QAPP completed
TMDL Approval Date	---
# of TMDLs	---
TMDL Lead	Sally Lawrence

Introduction

Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is conducting a water quality improvement project in Liberty Bay, near Poulsbo, Washington, in Kitsap County. Required under the federal Clean Water Act, the project, a total maximum daily load (TMDL), includes a scientific study of how much fecal coliform bacteria is entering Liberty Bay from its major freshwater tributaries and storm drainages. The project will also include a plan, developed in partnership with Tribes, local agencies and organizations, to clean up the sources of bacteria so that the bay and its tributaries will meet state water quality standards.

Liberty Bay is on the state list of polluted waters

Liberty Bay, and several creeks that drain to it, are on the state's 2008 water quality assessment (also known as the 303[d] list) for exceeding the state’s fecal coliform standard for water quality. Fecal coliform bacteria are indicators of harmful bacteria and viruses that cause illnesses among swimmers and others who recreate on the water or consume shellfish from Liberty Bay. Liberty Bay is also on the 303(d) list for dissolved oxygen. Dogfish Creek is the largest freshwater creek draining to the bay; other creeks include Johnson, Daniels, Big Scandia, Little Scandia, and Bjorgen.

Why this matters

Fecal coliform bacteria from human and animal waste can make people sick. Bacteria can get into our waters from improperly-functioning onsite sewage systems; from runoff carrying feces of livestock, pets and wildlife; and from breaks in sewer lines. Stormwater runoff from parking lots and roads often carries fecal coliform bacteria from pet waste or trash that attracts rodents or birds. Fecal coliform bacteria are indicators of harmful bacteria and viruses that cause illnesses among swimmers and others who recreate on the water or consume shellfish from Liberty Bay.

How can you help clean up Liberty Bay?

Dogfish Creek, tributary to Liberty Bay, Washington State. Photo courtesy of Sally Lawrence, Washington Department of Ecology.

Dogfish Creek in Poulsbo is the largest freshwater tributary to Liberty Bay.

There are a number of simple, but very important ways for residents of Poulsbo and other citizens living near the bay to prevent bacteria pollution:

Check your onsite septic system to be sure it is maintained and working properly. Contact the Kitsap Health District (360-337-5235) if you need more information on how to keep your system functioning well.
Bag pet waste and put it in the garbage. Do not flush it down the toilet.
Manage your livestock. Make sure they have a way to water away from streams and ditches where their manure could pollute the water. Call Kitsap Conservation District (360-337-7171) for best management practices for livestock and horse manure.
If there are streams or ditches on your property, make sure there is natural vegetation to filter storm runoff and pollutants.
Wash cars at commercial car washes or on your lawn, where the soap and dirty wash water can act as a gentle fertilizer. (Car washes recycle the wash water, so it will not get into storm drains and drain to the bay.)
Check the street drain near your home and make sure it is not clogged with leaves or debris. Only rain should go down the drain!
Participate! Work with local government and neighborhood groups to share this information and prevent pollution. If you see a spill or illegal dumping, call Kitsap One

Water Pollution Hotline

If you see a spill or illegal dumping, call Kitsap 1, the local stormwater hotline.

Early action by Kitsap County Health District

KCHD will conduct marine shoreline surveys starting fall 2009. Also, KCHD is developing an innovative program to monitor and encourage the use of waste pump-outs at marinas.

The drain is just for rain drain photo. Courtesy of Sally Lawrence, WA Department of Ecology.

Report spills and water pollution concerns during normal business hours
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday

After hours call 911 for emergency concerns or leave a message at Kitsap 1 for non-emergency concerns.
Kitsap 1: 360-337-5777
Kitsap1@co.kitsap.wa.us

Spills of oil or hazardous materials must be reported.

Sampling water quality in tributary to Liberty Bay, Washington State. Photo courtesy of Sally Lawrence, Washington Department of Ecology.

Besides bacteria, Ecology measures temperature, conductivity and flow at each site. Conductivity is a measure of charged ions in the water and can indicate groundwater or marine influence.

You may also call Ecology Northwest Regional Office 24-hour Spills Reporting phone line at 425-649-7000.

How does Ecology determine the sources of the pollution?

Twice a month, Ecology monitors water quality at 23 creek and stormwater drainage sites around Liberty Bay. We also measure flow in order to estimate the bacteria load carried by creeks to the bay. Bacteria loading information helps us determine which streams or stormwater outfalls are the most important for cleaning up the bay.

The monitoring study follows a quality assurance project plan (QAPP), which spells out the objectives of the study, sampling locations, and analytical methods. As we review data for the 23 fixed sites, if we find creeks or stormwater drains or seeps with high concentrations of bacteria, we may conduct additional monitoring upstream, to better determine the source of the problem.

Status of the project

Ecology will complete a year’s-worth of regular water quality sampling in August 2009. In fall 2009 we will focus on storm-event monitoring. In winter 2009-10 we will work on a plan for cleanup with local government, Tribes, and organizations to identify the most important locations for cleanup and the actions needed to improve Liberty Bay water quality. Preliminary reports summarizing the bacteria data collected so far:

Technical information

Liberty Bay Tributaries Fecal Coliform Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load: Water Quality Study Design (Quality Assurance Project Plan) (Ecology Publication)
www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0903102.html

Related information

Septic system in Liberty Bay watershed, Washington State. Photo courtesy of Steve Olsen.

Failing onsite septic systems can pollute streams that drain to Liberty Bay.

WRIA 15: Kitsap Watershed Information (Environmental Assessment Program website)
www.ecy.wa.gov/apps/watersheds/wriapages/15.html

For more information

Sally Lawrence
Water Quality Program
Northwest Regional Office
Washington State Department of Ecology
3190 160th Avenue SE
Bellevue, WA 98008-5452
Phone: 425-649-7036
Email: slaw461@ecy.wa.gov

Last updated November 2009