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Learn more about the Division of Environmental Health

Overview

The Department of Health's Office of Shellfish and Water Protection (OSWP) is managing a six year Puget Sound pathogen reduction grant in partnership with the Department of Ecology’s Toxics and Nutrients program.  The grant focuses on preventing and reducing pathogen pollution from human and animal wastes. 

The EPA-funded Pathogens Grant will help reach the Puget Sound Partnership’s shellfish indicator target—updating 10,800 acres of harvestable shellfish beds by 2020—by improving water quality in shellfish beds.  It will advance the Puget Sound Partnership’s 2020 goal of a “swimmable, diggable, fishable” Puget Sound and aligns with the Washington State Shellfish Initiative.

Projects

EPA has provided almost $8.5 million to manage pathogen pollution.  We are using the funds to:

• Help 10 counties inventory, inspect and fix failing on-site sewage systems that impact Puget Sound (view detail). We are also working on identifying and carrying out regional projects to help local communities educate people about how to care for their on-site sewage systems and establish sustainable funding for on-site sewage system management.  (over $2.7 million)
• Carry out Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) programs in six counties to reduce pathogen and nutrient pollution from on-site sewage systems and farms (over $2.3 million).  (view detail)
• Monitor and notify the public about bacterial pollution at recreational Puget Sound beaches. ($159,120)
• Install fencing, feeding and watering facilities on farms to keep livestock manure out of streams. ($1.5 million)

• Establish a federally designated No Discharge Zone to prohibit boats from dumping sewage in Puget Sound. ($360,000)
• Research new technologies to reduce pollution, nitrogen, and pathogens, and detect biotoxins. ($650,000, from Ecology's Toxics/Nutrient Grant)
• Improve our ability to track pathogens and notify the public about shellfish closures and biotoxin threats by updating our data management and reporting system. ($550,000)
• Develop a pathogen grant program strategy to ensure coordination with the Puget Sound Action Agenda.

Background 

In 2008, the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) published the Puget Sound Action Agenda, a strategy to clean up, restore, and protect Puget Sound by 2020.  In July 2009, the EPA approved the Action Agenda as the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Puget Sound under the federal Clean Water Act, Section 320.

In early 2010 the EPA set aside funds to implement priority work consistent with the PSP's Action Agenda, and in October solicited applications for grants covering a six year period.  We submitted a proposal for the "Pathogen Prevention, Reduction, and Control" segment of the grant, and were awarded funds to implement activities outlined in our proposal.

Implementation 

The Department of Health and other state agencies with successful grant applications were selected as Lead Organizations (LOs) to coordinate the development and implementation of strategies in four areas of emphasis:

• Pathogen prevention, reduction, and control (LOs – Departments of Health and Ecology);
• Toxics and nutrients prevention, reduction, and control (LO – Department of Ecology);
• Marine and nearshore protection and restoration (LOs – Departments of Fish & Wildlife and Natural Resources);and
• Watershed protection and restoration (LOs – Departments of Ecology and Commerce).

A revision of the Puget Sound Action Agenda will be completed in early 2012 and will continue to be the blueprint that directs LO work.

For more information contact Mary Knackstedt or Blake Nelson.