The Partnership remains committed to preventing shellfish bed closures due to poor water quality and to ensuring that harvested shellfish is safe to eat. The Partnership is also committed to keeping streams and lakes safe for swimming and fishing. Fecal coliform bacteria is our main focus. High fecal coliform levels have caused Pierce county to establish Shellfish Protection Districts around Burley Lagoon and Rocky, Filucy and Vaughn bays. 

Pierce County also publishes a water quality report card with data from specific creeks in the county.

The Partnership organizes around three efforts:

• Preventing pollution
• Identifying sources of pollution
• Correcting sources of pollution

For more information, take a look at the Pierce County Shellfish Partners 2020 Strategic Plan. The plan is being implemented in cooperation with Thurston and Mason counties through the South Sound Shellfish Recovery Project. 

There are simple ways that you can prevent water pollution.

In Pierce County, there are more than 8,400 acres of shellfish growing areas. Washington State Department of Health (DOH) regularly collects marine water quality samples in these areas to ensure shellfish are safe to eat. You can learn more about DOH's shellfish monitoring program by visiting their Shellfish Growing Areas page.

Looking for help to repair your septic system? You can apply to Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department's financial assistance program.

You can also contact the Pierce Conservation District for help keeping your livestock and their waste out of local waters.

Pierce County offers technical assistance and advice for stormwater or water quality problems.

The 2018-19 Key Peninsula Water Quality Report is the second water quality report for the area showing how the community and stakeholders are working to improve water quality health for habitat and people. This special insert is printed and published in the Key Peninsula News.

The Clean Water Partners published its first Key Peninsula Water Quality Report in October 2017 as an insert in the Key Peninsula News. The report grades water quality in Key Peninsula streams and marine waters. It also includes information on toxic algae levels in local lakes.

The stream grades were developed by Pierce County based on many years of water quality monitoring data. Washington State Department of Health developed the grading method of marine areas for this report. Lake water quality is sampled by Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department for potential toxic algae growth only. 

Resource Links

• Penrose Shellfish Resilience Study Final Report
• Poster: Experimental Olympia Oyster Restoration in the Puget Sound
• Presentation: Experimental Olympia Oyster Restoration in the Puget Sound

Interested in shellfish farming? Visit our Shellfish Farming page to find out who to contact.