We also want to get comments on the report and find out if there s other information we should have before we make decisions, Hanson said. Increasing population affects the water supply several ways. In addition to increasing water needs, growth leads to more paved areas that reduce the recharge of ground water. It also brings more water pollution from lawns, septic tanks, roads and other sources and this makes less high quality water available. Current water quality is generally good, although PCBs, phenols, high temperature, fecal coliform bacteria and low oxygen levels have been identified in the Snohomish River.
Ground water is mostly good quality.
The Tolt summer steelhead has a high risk of becoming extinct, and the numbers of three other stocks are also very low. They are the Snohomish summer and fall chinook and coho. Ecology mailed a copy of the draft report to people who ve applied for new water rights. Hanson said the agency will contact applicants again after meeting with local officials and water interests. If there is enough public interest in the issue, a public meeting may be held.