PORT TOWNSEND — The results of a three-year water quality study are to be presented at two public meetings this month, with the first set for Thursday.
“We hope people will come away with an understanding of the overall water quality in the northwest portion of the Quimper Peninsula,” said Michael Dawson, Jefferson County water quality manager.
“Overall, we have a lot of areas where the water quality is quite good.”
The first hourlong meeting will be in the Nordland Garden Club, 320 Garden Club Road on Marrowstone Island, at 5:30 p.m.
The second will be Dec. 16 in the Pacific Room at the health department, 615 Sheridan St. in Port Townsend. It also will begin at 5:30 p.m.
A limited number of water conservation kits will be given away, and light refreshments will be served.
Dawson will present the project’s results and answer audience questions.
The test area included Cape George, Port Townsend, Port Hadlock, Marrowstone Island and Oak Bay, with samples taken along 40 miles of shoreline and tested for E. coli bacteria.
The project included sampling Port Townsend stormwater, comparing the water quality of Marrowstone Island and Indian Island, and discovering a major source of pollution in Irondale.
Dawson said Irondale Creek was the most polluted area tested, attributable to a number of failed or failing septic systems in its proximity.
High bacterial levels can be attributed to livestock, but Dawson said he doesn’t think that is a factor in this case.
“Some actions were taken during the process and some are ongoing because bacterial levels are still high in some places,” Dawson said.
“Many faulty systems were repaired, but sometimes it’s awhile before we see any changes.”
Septic repair or replacement can be expensive, so Dawson will provide information as to how to access two programs for providing financial assistance with septic repairs.
The programs are offered by Craft 3, which offers low-interest loans, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program.
The county research project was funded in part by a grant from the state Department of Ecology.
For more information, contact Dawson at 360-385-9444 or mdawson@co.jefferson.wa.us.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
