Here in the Pacific Northwest, few things are as recognizable as the Puget Sound. The creeks, streams, and rivers that flow into the sound help remind us of our closeness to nature and each other. In fact, across the region greenspaces found throughout our communities give us access to both work and play. We can take walks, go bird watching, or swim. This closeness, however, also means that left-behind pollutants can easily find their way into these ecosystems.
Author: Parker Lynas
When it rains, stormwater can be polluted by car leaks and oil, tire dust, car wash grime, yard chemicals, pet waste left on the ground, plastics, and litter. Many believe that this water is treated before it is sent out into our local waters and Puget Sound, but sadly this isn’t the case. Those pollutants all build up in our communities making the all-too-important greenspaces we share toxic. Pollutants have even found their way into some of the most remote parts of the Pacific Northwest. In Olympic and Mount Rainier national parks, fish have shown dangerous levels of mercury that could cause cancer for those who eat them or expose fishermen to significant health impacts.
Those impacts to our physical health are accompanied by lasting impacts on our mental health. For example, long-term exposure to air pollution can increase the chances of depression, anxiety, or even dementia. This is especially the case when children and adolescents are exposed. Those challenges paired with the 24 hour news cycle have created a phenomenon known as “climate doomism” or “eco-anxiety”. This “doomism” is a worry associated with the harmful impacts to our environment and livelihoods.
Importantly though, the bad news is not the end of the story. While pollution can hurt both us and our environment, natural spaces can be a solution to many of our problems. Proximity to greenspaces may encourage us to spend more time outside resulting in improved heart and lung health, reduced stress and depression, improved concentration, easement of muscle tension, and more. Time in nature can even combat climate doomism by promoting a “sense of meaning and purpose”.
To protect our habitat for generations to come, we can take action as part of the larger community. Puget Sound Starts Here makes it easy through different programs. Last year, in honor of Earth Month, they launched the “The Ultimate Earth Month Action Resource” with 23 actions we can each take to protect our waterways, ecosystem, and health. Recently they have launched the #EverySingleUse campaign which uses AI-generated imagery to demonstrate our overuse of plastic and provide small changes we can make for healthy habits.
Some of those changes to prevent pollution include:
• Fix any car leaks and keep oil out of drains
• Check car tires monthly and keep them properly inflated
• Use a car wash rather than washing on the street or driveway
• Walk, ride a bike, or use public transportation rather than drive when possible
• Pick up pet waste, bag it, and toss it in the trash right away, every time
• Practice natural yard care rather than use pesticides or chemical fertilizers
To demonstrate the value of protecting our water, Hernan Paganini, Stormwater Artist in Residence, created The Life of a Drop of Water. Hernan worked closely with 4Culture, King County Stormwater Section staff, and King County Latinx communities to raise awareness and offer insights about stormwater. His project included a graphic identity for the King County Stormwater Section, a storm drain stencil design, and a series of workshops titled Messages to the Puget Sound.
The Rainworks stencil art, reminiscent of a water drop, is painted in an invisible spray that only appears when the surrounding surface is wet. This means that on rainy days passerby may see the image appear and point to the nearest storm drain reminding them of stormwater’s flow out to the sound. Paganini’s work helps to show the value of stormwater in public spaces.
On July 17, 2024, the first installation of Paganini’s The Life of a Drop of Water stencil along with supporting imagery and messages inspiring simple actions to help keep stormwater clean and communities healthy will be applied as Rainworks at Greenbridge Plaza in White Center. The invisible spray will last for a few months so come on out and see if you can spot the stencils or look out for future installations in the months to come!
Visit PugetSoundStartsHere.org to learn more about small steps you can take for clean water and a healthy future.