Submitted by Thurston County Public Health & Social Services
On September 12 at 5:30 p.m. the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing to review and receive testimony on an ordinance to re-enact rates and charges for Henderson Inlet Shellfish Protection District. What is this program and why is it important?
Sewage Matters
In 2001 the Henderson Inlet Shellfish Protection District was created because of water contamination from fecal coliform bacteria. Fecal coliform is found in sewage and in the guts of humans and other warm blooded animals. Water quality was degraded to the point that the Washington State Department of Health restricted shellfish harvesting on 520+ acres in the Inlet. The Washington State Department of Ecology also placed Henderson Inlet on the list of impaired water bodies for Washington State.
Thurston County responded by gathering citizen input and stakeholder recommendations to figure out how to address the pollution problem. Based on these recommendations, in 2007, the Henderson Shellfish Protection District septic system operation and maintenance program was created. The purpose of this program is to make sure that all septic systems in the area are taken care of and that failing systems are fixed. The program is funded by a charge to people who live in the Henderson Shellfish Protection Area. The program created an inventory of the local septic systems and provides education and training, monitoring, and direct follow up.
There are approximately 6,700 septic systems in the Henderson Inlet program. One example of a service that this program provides to Henderson residents is self-inspection classes for owners of less complex septic systems. Residents can be certified to do their own monitoring and maintenance inspections and since 2007 over 2,350 people have taken the self-inspection certification courses.
Has this program worked?
Yes! In the last ten years, water quality has improved significantly and 366 acres of commercial shellfish harvesting are back in action! Over 86% of the septic systems in Henderson are current with inspections and maintenance. Compare this to 26% of systems current on their inspections and maintenance outside of this area. This is one of the highest success rates in the Puget Sound area. After the shellfish downgrades in 2000 some people questioned if water quality could be improved because much of the area was urban and growing quickly. Henderson Inlet has seen remarkable water quality improvements even with the substantial increase in population in the watershed thanks to the efforts of citizens and community partners.
The work continues…
The success of the past 10 years need to be sustained as our population continues to grow and change. Our region is known for its access to beautiful waterways, mountains, and streams. Clean water is essential to our entire region. The Henderson Shellfish Protection Area is an example of teamwork in the community working to keep our precious resources, our citizens, and our economy healthy.
So why is the county having a public meeting?
The ordinance that created the Henderson program states it will expire at the end of the year unless re-enacted. In ten years, some program gaps have been identified. The county has reviewed the program and possible changes with the Board of County Commissioners and the Henderson and Nisqually Shellfish Protection Districts Combined Stakeholder Committee. The county is holding the meeting to review and receive public testimony on the ordinance.
What kinds of things are changing?
- Currently the program requires that high risk septic systems be dye traced every six years. The new proposal reduces this requirement to every nine years. A review of the data shows that the county could reduce the frequency of dye traces and still protect public health.
- The proposal adds a $10 charge per septic system for properties that have more than one septic system. County records show that about 6% (418 parcels) have more than one septic system. This charge helps pay for the time needed to review records and oversee the monitoring and maintenance of these additional systems. This change is intended to better share the cost of the program, so that parcels that require more work, pay more.
- Charges increase $2/year for low-risk and $6/year for high-risk systems. This extra money will help reduce dependency on grants so that grants can be used in other high priority areas in the county.
The proposal also strengthens water quality monitoring through a Pollution Identification and Correction or PIC program. Adding PIC allows the county to respond to complaints and investigate documented water quality problems in streams or shellfish monitoring stations. The PIC component will help identify the source of pollution when it happens so that it can be fixed.
