Reducing nutrients in Puget Sound

Excessive levels of nutrients from human sources, such as nitrogen and carbon, are negatively impacting water quality in Puget Sound. This can lead to low dissolved oxygen, which impacts the health of aquatic life. Through the Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project, we collaborate with Puget Sound stakeholders and tribes to find solutions for reducing human sources of nutrients to protect Puget Sound.

Excess nutrients are a problem in Puget Sound

Too many nutrients, mainly nitrogen, result in excessive algal growth because nutrients act like fertilizer for algae and aquatic plants. When these algae and plants die, their decomposition uses up oxygen that marine animals needs to survive. This can especially be a problem in shallow inlets or bays and throws the health of Puget Sound off balance.

Nutrient pollution leads to excessive algal growth in seawater leading to less oxygen and more C02. Causing stress for aquatic organisms.

In addition to low levels of oxygen, other effects of excess nutrients include:

Acidification, which prevents shellfish and other organisms from forming shells.
Shifts in the number and types or organisms that live on the seafloor, resulting in changes in the food chain.
Increased nuisance macro-algae, which can impair the health of eelgrass and shellfish beds.
Increased harmful algal blooms and other nuisance species, such as jellyfish.
Changes in food web dynamics.

orange algal bloom off shore of Puget Sound beach

Noctiluca scintillans bloom at Saltwater State Park in Des Moines, WA.

Aerial view of a mass of orange jellyfish in the water

A jellyfish "smack" observed from our Eyes Over Puget Sound monitoring program.

Nuisance macroalgae on a Puget Sound beach.

Sewage plants, farms, onsite septic systems, and our household use of chemicals washing off lawns are all sources of excessive nutrients. — The Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project aims to improve Puget Sound by better managing human nutrient sources.

Sources of nutrients

Nutrients enter Puget Sound from natural processes and ocean upwelling and are essential for a healthy ecosystem. Human sources of nutrients, however, can lead to the excess or imbalance of nutrients in Puget Sound.

Human sources of nutrients include:

Wastewater discharged from sewage treatment plants.
Using too much fertilizer, which enters waterways when it rains.
Poor land management, especially with livestock .
On-site septic systems.

What Ecology is doing about it

We're working collaboratively with Puget Sound stakeholders through the Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project and Puget Sound Nutrient Forum to find solutions for reducing excess nutrients. We are in the process of developing a Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit for wastewater treament plants.

Yes. The Pacific Ocean is the largest natural source of nitrogen to Puget Sound, but a majority of this nitrogen entering Puget Sound from the ocean does not stay in the surface waters and instead flows back out to the coast.

Our modeling results show that excess nutrients from local human sources are contributing to low levels of dissolved oxygen. These oxygen levels are lower than those influenced by natural sources alone and the impact from human sources is more than is allowed by state water quality standards.

To learn more about nitrogen sources to Puget Sound, view our Nitrogen in Puget Sound Storymap.

Contact information

Dustin Bilhimer
Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project Manager
dustin.bilhimer@ecy.wa.gov
360-706-3423

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Reducing nutrients in Puget Sound

Excess nutrients are a problem in Puget Sound

Sources of nutrients

What Ecology is doing about it

Related links

Contact information