A new biochar-based filtration system is set to be installed at the Port of Port Townsend’s Boat Haven marina, addressing ongoing concerns about stormwater runoff and its impact on the local environment. This initiative aims to help the facility meet state water quality standards set by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The project is a collaboration between the Port and the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee (MRC), utilizing an innovative approach to manage polluted runoff from boatyards and maintenance areas.

The primary issue at the marina is the presence of copper and zinc, which leach into the water from boat antifouling paints and other maintenance activities. These heavy metals can be harmful to marine life, including salmon and shellfish. The new system will use biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More filters specifically designed to capture these pollutants before the water enters Puget Sound. In the same way biochar adsorbing qualities help to keep nutrients in agricultural soils, it can help to keep heavy metals out of waterways. The biochar used in the filters is sourced from forestry waste, making the solution both effective and sustainable.

Following a successful pilot program, which showed the biochar filters could remove up to 90% of heavy metals, the full-scale system will now be implemented. This new filtration infrastructure is a key part of the Port’s plan to adhere to its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and demonstrate its commitment to environmental stewardship. The project highlights a promising application of biochar technology in mitigating industrial water pollution, offering a potential model for other marinas and industrial sites facing similar challenges.

Source: New filtration system to help Boat Haven meet Ecology standards