Phosphorus: a naturally occurring nutrient that can stimulate plant growth in excessive amounts which can cause explosive algae growth. Although natural, other phosphorus sources from our homes and neighborhoods may include: exposed soil from construction and landscaping, detergents and chemicals, animal waste, failing septic tanks, car oil, yard debris, and more. These phosphorus sources can enter our lakes and streams in runoff from rainfall or outdoor water use. As water runs off hard surfaces, like driveways, roads, and patios, it picks up phosphorus-containing sources and carries them into our streams and storm drains, which empty directly into our waterways.
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Bacteria: Fecal coliform bacteria is a subgroup of coliform bacteria that is associated only with the fecal matter of warm-blooded animals. When this type of bacteria is found in high concentrations, it can act as indicators for the presence of other disease-causing microorganisms such as Giardia or Cryptosporidium. This is also known as E. coli, the most common sources for E. coli include: hobby farms, faulty septic systems, leaking sewers, and waste from pets and wildlife.
High Concentrations of Heavy Metal: these metals are heavy, dense, metallic elements (e.g. arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, and mercury) that are naturally occurring in freshwater systems at low concentrations, however they are occurring at high concentration at Lake Whatcom. They enter the lake when soils and rocks weather or volcanoes erupt, from landfills, dump sites and mining operations, and from accumulating on roadways and later being carried into lakes and streams by stormwater runoff.
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Hydrocarbons: these can be petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants such as gasoline, oils, and grease. One can also be Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are formed by burning coal, gasoline and fuel oil potential sources for hydrocarbon pollutants include: vehicle use and maintenance (brake lining), disposal of used oil and other fluids on the ground, spills of oil or gasoline from vehicles, leaks of oil and other fluids from vehicles, runoff from residential car washing, vehicle exhaust, leaching from coal-tar sealants used on pavement. Most petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants are transported by stormwater runoff, which washes the contaminants from roads, driveways, and parking lots into the nearest storm drain or stream. However, some of these pollutants also enter the water via motorized watercraft.
Pesticides: substances that are intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests. They are also our household products which include: insect repellents for personal use, rat and other rodent poisons, flea and tick sprays, powders, and pet collars, kitchen, laundry, and bath, disinfectants and sanitizers, products that kill mold and mildew, some lawn and garden products, such as weed killers, and some swimming pool chemicals. These pesticides can enter our waterways via stormwater runoff or outdoor water use.
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Aquatic Invasive Species: non-native plants, animals, and pathogens that thrive in a new environment. They live primarily in water and simply cause economic loss, environmental damage, and harm to human health. They find their way into the lake by attaching themselves to boat hulls, motors, trailers, equipment, and field gear, being in bilge tanks, live wells, and engine cooling water, and also by being released from aquariums or bait live-wells. The biggest species of concern are Zebra and Quagga Mussels, New Zealand Mud snail which are already in Washington, and then Eurasian Watermilfoil, which is actually already in Lake Whatcom.