Puget Sound - Threats

Washington State Department of Ecology

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Threats to Puget Sound

Stormwater runoff

Land is generally paved over during development, and water – no longer able to soak into the ground – runs off roads, parking areas, rooftops and other hard surfaces, creating stormwater. Stormwater running over developed land picks up oil, grease, metals, yard and garden chemicals, dirt, bacteria, nutrients and other pollutants from paved areas, and carries them to streams, rivers, wetlands and Puget Sound. If not properly managed, stormwater can also flood and damage homes and businesses, and damage or destroy fish and wildlife habitat. Because less water soaks into the ground, drinking water supplies are not replenished and streams and wetlands are not recharged.

Septic and wastewater systems

There are about 472, 000 septic tank systems in the Puget Sound region that are not connected to sewage treatment plants. Many of them are aging and in disrepair, allowing human waste to reach the Sound. Failing wastewater systems at state parks add sewage overload as well. This pollution has forced the closure of shellfish beds to protect public health, which also creates economic hardship for shellfish growers – one of Washington’s oldest industries.

Loss of habitat

More than 5,700 acres of aquatic land (land under water) exceed contamination levels that are considered safe.
Nearly 20 percent – or about 30,000 acres – of commercial shellfish beds have closed to harvest since 1980.
Approximately 70 percent of Puget Sound near-shore estuary habitat (the land near the mouths of rivers) has been lost to residential, commercial and industrial development. These areas are vital nurseries for salmon and other marine life.