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1. Will you be able to do testing and provide us some direction regarding the health of lakes and ecosystem?

• PCD does not provide laboratory water quality testing. 
• You are welcome to sample on your own and send to a laboratory.  We recommend sampling more than 1 or 2 times. For understanding general lake health, we recommend longer term sampling. 
  • A local laboratory is Water Management Laboratories in Tacoma 
  • Their instructions include calling 253-531-3121 prior to sampling. They will provide you with sample bottles, sampling instructions and drop off instructions. 
  • Laboratory costs can range from $50 to $500 depending on the number of samples and type of testing. 
• You can also contact the Washington State Department of Ecology and take a sample for toxic algae if the lake is not already monitored by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. How to report and test a bloom (nwtoxicalgae.org)

2. Where can I find resources available on herbicide guidance for aquatic noxious weeds?

• The Department of Ecology provides aquatic weed control technical assistance: Aquatic weed control technical assistance - Washington State Department of Ecology
• You can also check with your WA Fish & Wildlife Area Habitat Biologist: Rules for aquatic plant removal and control | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

3. Can you provide a general lake presentation?

• See our Lakes 101 PowerPoint

4. Where can I find information about the water quality of my lake?

• If the Washington State Department of Ecology has monitored your lake, data can be found here: Lakes Environmental Data | Washington State Department of Ecology, aquatic plants, cyanobacteria, algae blooms, water quality, fisheries, bathymetry, maps

5. How do I become an Algae Watch Volunteer?

• If you live on or near a lake you can become an Algae Watch Volunteer. Get involved with the Algae Watch Volunteer Group. Email Lindsay Tuttle: ltuttle@tpchd.org to sign up.

6. What do I do if I think my lake has a toxic algae bloom?

• If you think there is a harmful algae bloom on your lake refer to: 
  • Freshwater algae control - Washington State Department of Ecology
  • Toxic Algae | Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (tpchd.org)
• The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department does not work on lake treatments, but can provide education on toxic algae, preventative actions and how to take care of your septic system. 

7. What can I do to prevent toxic algae blooms?

• Reduce fertilizers.
• Maintain your septic system.
• Pick up after your pets, don’t feed waterfowl and keep livestock away from the water.
• Plant native plants between your yard and the water to reduce runoff and prevent erosion.

8. Why is my lake filling in with vegetation/sediment?

• Lakes go through natural processes and lakes in Pierce County are in different phases. Humans and climate change can accelerate this process. Lakes can transition from marsh to swamp to bog and go from deep to shallow lakes over long periods of time. Lakes can also be dominated by plants or algae.