Eva Crim, from the Kitsap County Health District’s Pollution Identification and Correction program, braves the rain Tuesday to take a water sample from a creek emptying into Liberty Bay.

The bay has been deemed “impaired” by the state Department of Ecology for elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria. The likely culprits are storm water runoff and malfunctioning spetic systems.

District employees have been testing the named streams draining into the bay every month, along with knocking on doors of residences within 200 feet of surface water. The purpose of the study is not only to pinpoint where the pollution is coming from, but to provide education about septic systems and checking the efficiency of systems in use.

The program started during the summer with a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Ecology. And despite a handful of clear days, the study requires testing during the rain that has been saturating North Kitsap.

For Crim, working in the rain has its benefits. “I appreciate the sunny days more,” she said.