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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, November 10, 2004
| Contact: |
Art Starry, Environmental Health Division Director,
360-786-5456 |
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Linda Hofstad, Environmental Health Specialist,
360-754-4111. |
Public
Encouraged to Attend Septic System Practices Open House
OLYMPIA
– A
proposed septic system Operations and Maintenance plan will be the focus of a
special open house to be held the evening of November 18th.
The plan, which would affect the Henderson Inlet watershed, is part of
a larger effort to recover water quality in the inlet and reopen some
shellfish harvesting areas that have been closed due to pollution.
Thurston County Environmental Health Division Director
Art Starry says the proposal is aimed at eliminating one source of pollution
in the inlet. “Studies have
shown that some of the pollution comes from what we call non-point sources;
that is unknown points of origin. But
the work has also demonstrated that a significant source is human waste from
failing septic systems. As part of
rectifying that known pollution problem, the citizens advisory committee
working on this issue is recommending an operations and maintenance program (Oand
M) for septic systems in the
Henderson
watershed.” The purpose of the
program is to ensure that systems are being properly maintained to prevent
premature failures, and to regularly evaluate those systems at highest risk of
contaminating surface water so that problems can be promptly identified and
corrected.
The O and M program would be divided into “low” and
“high” risk systems, depending on various factors.
Both low-risk and high-risk
systems within the watershed would be required to have current operational
certificates, but the frequency and type of inspections would differ.
Environmental Health
Specialist Linda Hofstad says it’s important for county residents to speak
out on this proposal and about the overall Henderson Inlet water quality
program. “We are especially
interested in hearing from those who live in the 45.7 square mile watershed
area. They would be directly
affected by the proposal so it’s important that they attend the open house
if they can, or otherwise give us their opinion.”
Those who cannot attend the
open house can find out more about the septic plan by visiting the Thurston
County Web Site at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/shellfish/ where
they can also leave an e-mail message if they desire.
They can also call 360-754-4111 for additional information.
Residents of the watershed were also recently mailed an informational
brochure on the subject.
The Henderson Inlet Septic Proposal Open House will be held from 6:30 to
8:30 the evening of Thursday, November 18th.
It will take place in the
Expo
Center
at the
Thurston
County
Fairgrounds,
3054 Carpenter Road SE
, Lacey.
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