February 16th, 2007
KONP News

 

(Port Angeles, WA) -- A local group is crafting a draft plan on how Clallam County will deal with new rules on septic systems.

A state law passed last year requiring new regulations that effect 12 counties surrounding Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Shellfish protection was the driving force behind the legislation. The Clallam County On-site Septic System workgroup hopes to present a draft plan to the public in the Spring.

Under the new law, landowners will be required to have inspections of their septic systems on a regular basis. The County is tasked with keeping permanent records of all septic systems and identify systems that were previously unknown.

Clallam County Environmental Health Director Andy Brastad says the workgroup is trying to come up with ideas on how the county is going to accomplish the requirements. The group will have to recommend how the County is going to keep track of septic system records.

Stakeholders are also suggesting that the County expand their public education program on how to properly maintain a septic system. Under the new state rules, septic system owners in Clallam County would have to have their systems inspected annually if it includes a pump.

A conventional gravity fed system would require inspection every three years. Brastad estimates the owner's cost of an inspection would be around 150 dollars, which wouldn't include the price of any needed repairs.

The next OSS workgroup meeting is slated for Monday, February 26th from 6 until 8 in the commissioners' meeting room at the Courthouse. The sessions are scheduled to continue through next month. In April, Brastad says the group will send recommendations to the public in a draft plan. He says at least 2 public workshops will be held explaining the recommendations before they are presented to the county's Board of Health in May or June for final approval.

RELATED STORY:

New septic system rules to bring inspection, higher cost for homeowners

February 12th, 2007 - 9:27am
KONP News

(Port Angeles) -- If you have a septic system, you might be required to have it professionally inspected every year.

Under proposed state rules that take effect this summer, septic system owners in Clallam County would have to have their systems inspected annually if it is a system with mounds or a pump.

Traditional, gravity fed systems would require inspection every three years. Owners would have to pony up the money for the inspections.

The state Department of Health put out the recommendations and a Clallam County septic system workgroup is looking at the proposal. The local group meets tonight to talk more about it, but a workplan shows the group is not opposed to the new, strict requirements.

The new rules effect 12 counties that border Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Tonight's meeting starts at six at the courthouse in Port Angeles.