Water Quality Protection

Protecting Hood Canal’s Water Quality

Photo by Ratha Grimes

Maintaining good water quality in Hood Canal is critical to the quality of life for our families, the environment and our local economy. Hood Canal isn’t just a body of water or a tourist attraction—it’s where we live, work, and play. It’s vital to work together to make our water cleaner and our environment healthier.

Swimmers, boaters and families that live here want and expect good water quality. Protecting shellfish beds from bacterial pollution is critical to our economy. Water quality is a high priority of the Integrated Watershed Plan, as it is imperative to each of the ecosystem focal components.

A number of HCCC’s activities advance water quality improvements in Hood Canal, including habitat restoration, addressing storm water runoff, and effective wastewater treatment that reduces bacterial contamination and nitrogen loading. In Hood Canal, where the majority of developed properties rely on on-site septic systems (OSS), it is very important that OSS are well designed, regularly inspected, and properly maintained to prevent septic pollution from reaching our waterways. We can all help to decrease pollution by limiting fertilizer use and managing pet and animal waste. We can help protect salmon and improve water quality by retaining natural vegetation along shorelines. Learn more about what you can do at OurHoodCanal.org ».

Track our progress on Water Quality Protection at OurHoodCanal.org »

Photo by Joshua Alan Davis

HCCC Aquatic Rehabilitation Program


In 2005 the Washington State Legislature established the Hood Canal Aquatic Rehabilitation Program (RCW 90.88), designating the HCCC as the local management board to coordinate local government efforts for addressing the low dissolved oxygen problem in Hood Canal. 
 
The HCCC Board of Directors established the Hood Canal Aquatic Rehabilitation Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to advise and assist HCCC Board members in their deliberations and development of management actions to address low dissolved oxygen. The TAC analyzed scientific data and findings and evaluated management and policy actions for the HCCC Board’s consideration. 
 
The TAC Workgroups developed next steps for low dissolved oxygen actions and worked to advance the development of the Hood Canal Regional Pollution Identification and Correction Program and the Hood Canal Regional Stormwater Retrofit Plan. 
 
 
WATERSHED PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Haley Harguth
(360) 328-4625 

Where We Work

HCCC works across various boundaries under its many authorities.

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