Cheerful social media posts with plenty of exclamation points coming from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.

Zero questions from newspeople.

Image above:

Washington State Dept. of Health status updated July 15, 2019.

Source: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife OAK HARBOR BEACH PARK

“State Dept. of Health cautions that Clams, Oysters and Mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”

“Water Quality Comment: This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Eight months back

Plant up & running the day prior to this article:

November 16, 2018 Whidbey News-Times

Oak Harbor’s sewage plant up and running

Article indicates the cost of the project is $142 million.

 

November 30, 2018 Whidbey News-Times

Ceremony celebrates sewage treatment plant coming online

“…ribbon cutting Thursday for the city’s new, state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant.”

See Washington State Dept. of Health status updated Dec 2nd, 2018 here.

 

Recent project cost update:

May 14, 2019 Whidbey News-Times

Oak Harbor asks Navy to pay $39 million to connect to city sewer system

Article indicates the cost of the project is $149 million.

 

Several Island County beaches are closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

View the Washington State Department of Health list here.

 

Coupeville

A situation linked to the Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant? Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this.

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

 

Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.

Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.

 

Stewardship is a priority:

Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area

Background:

Oak Harbor Waterfront

 

More here:

Oak Harbor Splash Park – Water Quality & Conservation

Local Shellfish Aren’t Celebrating

“…the dryer has been the last piece of the puzzle.”

“Shellfish are very sensitive to pollution levels…” – Puget Sound Update

Shipwreck Shores – Zero Questions From Newspeople

An eye on the health of local waters – Whidbey sewage treatment plant outfalls

Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfall – Zero Questions From Newspeople

Earth Day 2019 – News Tip/Story Idea

Oak Harbor – State Of The Art Sewage Treatment Plant

 

Does hometown pride get in the way of newspeople asking questions?

Tangled Up In Hometown Pride?

 

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