Watershed Management Plan - Mason County

Appendix
C Key Issues and Options – Water Quality
Option 38.
Require septic system inspections on a periodic
basis
Inspection of septic systems is important to ensure that systems are
properly operating. Periodic inspection can also reveal early warning signs
of a failing system. Periodic inspection of septic systems is mandatory and
is written into both state code (WAC Chapter 246-272 On-Site Sewage
Systems) and county code (Jefferson County Code, Chapter 8.15 On-Site
Sewage Disposal Systems). In fact, a July, 2005 update to WAC 246-272
requires septic system owners to perform a complete inspection of their
systems every three years (as opposed to just the solids), and certain systems
will be required to perform annual inspections (WAC 246-272A). Even
when inspection is mandatory, however, enforcing inspection requirements
can be a significant challenge. Local health departments could develop new
procedures or requirements for regular septic inspections to be carried out
by county health departments, private companies, or individual homeowners
through “do-it-yourself” inspections. Agencies should include
these new monitoring procedures or requirements in their required onsite
sewage plans as specified under WAC 246-272A.
Option 39.
Develop financial and other incentives to
encourage septic system inspection,
maintenance, replacement, and upgrades
Inspection, maintenance, and needed replacements or upgrades are essential
to ensure proper septic system operation and avoid water-quality impacts.
Option 38 described mandatory inspections, but an alternate or
supplementary approach could be to develop financial or other forms of
incentives. Potential incentives could include low-interest loan programs
for homeowners who discover failing systems. Another approach could
include providing benefits to buyers who purchase homes with upgraded
septic systems or who agree to upgrade existing systems. A similar
approach is used to encourage energy efficiency through the Energy
Efficient Mortgage, a program to benefit homeowners who purchase or sell
energy efficient homes. Funding for various incentive programs could
perhaps be supported by federal and state sources including the Non-Point
Source Implementation Grant (319) Program, State Revolving Loan Fund,
or the National Decentralized Water Resource Capacity Development
Project (EPA, 2005). Finally, there may be some opportunity to expand the
use of stand funds for septic improvements and best management practices
on private lands, a practice that is currently limited by WAC 173-95A.
Option 40.
Develop and implement a public outreach and
education campaign concerning fecal coliform
For the public to be an active partner in improving water quality, they must
understand the sources of – and strategies to prevent – water pollution.
Therefore, an education and outreach campaign about activities that can
page 114 Final Plan for County Adoption – May 11, 2006