Oak Harbor Stormwater Sampling

At Sound Water Stewards, in collaboration with our partner organization Friends of the Salish Sea, our trained volunteers meet monthly to sample the water that runs out Oak Harbor’s 6 storm water outfalls directly into the Salish Sea. The information collected helps keep the Salish Sea clean and healthy for our communities, wildlife, and marine ecosystems. We measure things like temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, bacteria levels, and odors. If thresholds are exceeded, a report is sent to the city’s Storm Drain/Wastewater Inspections/Educator supervisor for follow up investigations by city personnel.

Oak Harbor’s drainpipes are filled with the water that is funneled off of streets whenever there is rain or melting snow. With it comes sediment, oil, the soap from washing one’s car in the driveway, pet waste, and anything else that might be washed in from yards and sidewalks. These samples are extremely useful in determining what substances are on our street and how they may be impacting the local ecosystems. To learn more, visit our Stormwater Monitoring page.

If you are a trained Steward and want to be part of a sampling session, click the button that says “Steward Information” below.