WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – Falls rains have led to another closure of shellfish harvesting in Portage Bay, and the Public Works Department is asking all of us to help keep that and other local waters cleaner.
The State Department of Health opened Portage Bay to shellfish harvesting in April, but closed it again after finding high levels of fecal bacteria in tests done in September.
Whatcom County Water Quality Planner Kate Rice says sources of the bacteria build up during dry summer months, then are picked up and carried into ditches, streams and rivers by fall rains.
The county has tips on how to reduce pollution from farms, septic systems, pets, boats and RV’s and even urban wildlife.