04/19/2007: "New Septic Maintenance Program Proposed"

A Draft Plan for the Operation and Maintenance of septic systems in San Juan County is now ready for public review, and public meetings have been scheduled to receive input. The time and places are as follows::

Lopez - May 1, 2007 6-8 pm
San Juan - May 2 6-8 pm
Orcas - May 9 7-9 pm

In 2006 San Juan County Heath and Community Services formed a citizen advisory committee to develop an operation and maintenance program plan. The committee was formed in response to the State Board of Health requirement that the twelve Puget Sound Counties develop and submit an On-site Sewage System Management Plan to the State Department of Health by July 1, 2007.

Committee members were selected from a broad range of disciplines and included; State licensed designers, wastewater system inspectors, septic tank pumpers, realtors, shellfish growers, and various environmental groups (Disclaimer note: The owner of The Island Guardian, Jack Cory, is a committee member).

The Draft Operation and Maintenance Program Plan is the result of twelve months of hard work by the committee. The plan is divided into the four sections as follows; Database Enhancement, Identification of Sensitive Areas and Marine Recovery Areas, Operation and Maintenance Requirements, and Action Items and Project Costs. The program plan is designed to provide effective management of on-site sewage disposal systems countywide. Effective management will help identify and correct failing systems, eliminate public health hazards, and maintain our pristine water quality.

Highlights of the plan include:

1. Recommending sensitive areas be declared around shallow marine embayments that are used for commercial shellfish production.
2. A phased implementation schedule.
3. Numerous database enhancement recommendations.
4. An annual review to assess the program’s effectiveness.

Once public input is received, the committee will review the information, consider if changes in the Draft are warranted, and then present a final draft to the County Council for their review and action, which will also require a public hearing before the Plan can be adopted by the Council.