Oak Harbor prepares for ‘the first big flush’ tonight

With the weather taking a turn for the worse, state Dept. of Ecology officials are saying that a rain storm heading into Western Washington Tuesday evening and Wednesday will test jurisdictions that manage stormwater.

By Nathan Whalen • August 19, 2008 11:26 am

With the weather taking a turn for the worse, state Dept. of Ecology officials are saying that a rain storm heading into Western Washington Tuesday evening and Wednesday will test jurisdictions that manage stormwater.

“Our receiving waters are particularly vulnerable this time of year,” said Kelly Susewind, manager of the Department of Ecology’s water quality program in a news release. “The first big flush after a dry spell is the worst because of high concentrations of toxic pollution on the ground due to lack of rain.”

AccuWeather.com is predicting nearly half an inch of rain over 10 hours Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in the Oak Harbor area with wind guests up to 21 miles per hour as an unseasonable storm arrives from the Pacific.

Ecology officials said contractors, consultants and municipalities should review their stormwater permits, cover exposed soils and follow all stormwater permit “best management practices.”

City Engineer Eric Johnston said Oak Harbor during the summertime can see high levels of coliform, oils and heavy metals in the storm water.

He added that new developments are required to install systems designed to treat stormwater and that the regulations since 1992 have become more stringent.

However, with the numbers of homes in towns, dog feces and activities such as people changing the oil in their cars can create a problem, but it doesn’t happen that often. He recalled an incident last year where an advisory about elevated levels of bacteria had to be placed at Windjammer Park to warn folks. He said he wasn’t sure whether that incident could be attributed to contaminated stormwater.

Stormwater runoff is the state’s largest source of urban water pollution, according to the Dept. of Ecology. Polluted stormwater carries a toxic mix of pollution downstream into the state’s lakes, rivers and marine waters. Uncontrolled stormwater can carry muddy water downstream that can suffocate salmon and salmon egg nests. It can also cause flooding and slope failures that threaten people’s homes and the environment.