Shellfish harvesting in Quilcene Bay may be threatened by bacterial pollution, according to state health officials.

The Washington State Department of Health has finished the annual water quality evaluation of the state’s commercial shellfish growing areas. Officials noted that high fecal bacteria levels will lead to harvest restrictions in four of Washington’s 115 shellfish growing areas: portions of the Annas Bay, (Mason County), Vaughn Bay (Pierce County), Port Susan (Snohomish County), and Henderson Inlet (Thurston County) do not meet public health standards and shellfish harvesting will be restricted.

The restrictions will be in place through August 2022.

An additional 19 areas currently meet water quality standards but are threatened with classification downgrades — including Quilcene Bay.

State health officials said they are working with county partners, shellfish growers, and tribal governments to implement the required classification changes and to find and fix pollution problems.

“Our state’s collaborative approach toward water quality improvement has led to the successful reopening of many shellfish harvesting areas,” said Scott Berbells, manager of the department’s Shellfish Growing Area Section. “Clean water is the result of everyone doing their part.”

The state Department of Health is responsible for the safety of commercially harvested shellfish in the state and uses national standards to classify all 115 commercial harvest areas. 

Officials said people can help by maintaining their septic systems, picking up pet waste, using pump out stations for boats and recreational vehicles, and managing animal waste from large and small farms. Water quality monitoring conducted by the Department of Health in Quilcene Bay during 2021 found increased levels of fecal coliform bacteria.

Jefferson County Public Health’s Water Quality department is reviewing the state’s water quality evaluation and prioritizing the Quilcene area for pollution identification and correction work this year, county officials said.

Fecal coliform pollution can be associated with on-site septic systems, livestock, wildlife, and upstream water sampling can help identify problem areas. 

County officials noted that approved shellfish beds in Quilcene Bay are not being downgraded currently, but local health officials want to be proactive to avoid any closures. Jefferson County Public Health will be offering septic system owners free training on maintenance and financial assistance for repairs to septic system owners.

The department is also coordinating with the Jefferson County Conservation District, who can offer landowners assistance through a variety of programs.

Quilcene water quality will be discussed more at the upcoming Jefferson County Clean Water District Advisory Council quarterly meeting on Thursday, May 12.