Monitor Snohomish River to protect it from chemical contaminants

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 24, 2024

The Snohomish River and estuary is critical habitat for juvenile salmon. More than $90 million have been spent to improve this habitat for salmon, but those efforts are thwarted when the estuary water has high levels of chemicals toxic to them.

PBDEs are chemicals in flame retardants and are found in varying concentrations in Puget Sound, but their highest concentration is found in the Snohomish River estuary in the vicinity of the Everett wastewater treatment plant outflows. The chemicals are found in the tissues of juvenile salmon affecting their immune system and overall health. They are known to be toxic to orcas and humans as well.

PBDEs are likely coming into the Everett treatment plant from industrial sources, but since the current permit for the plant does not require source monitoring, no clear evaluation or planning to address the contaminants can be made. That can change. The permit is currently under review for renewal. The Washington state Department of Ecology must require industrial users to regularly monitor their discharges for toxic chemicals with goals and steps identified for their removal.

The renewed wastewater management permit must be modernized to be an effective tool for the city to keep our rivers and wildlife free of toxins. It is, after all, an environment we share. Let’s keep it healthy for generations to come.

Don J. Miller

Arlington