Improvement in Henderson Inlet Water
Quality/Shellfish Harvest Status
South Sound Science Symposium
Oct 27, 2010
Henderson Watershed …
What makes it work?
Where is Henderson Inlet?
... all was good ... until ...
Closures, downgrades, and more downgrades …
… and so a program evolved.
2001: Shellfish Protection Dist formed
2002: Committee members appointed Risk-Based O&M program – top priority
2003: Grant dollars available to develop septic O&M program
The Process was key…
• An Advisory Committee began late 2003
• Proposal by April 2004
• Proposal out for public discussion …
More than 300 showed up for the first meeting
… many had serious concerns
… and asked lots of questions
Only about 50 came for open house #2 … and 30 attended final hearing
Program adopted and built …
• November 2005 - Public hearing • December 21, 2005 Board of
Health adopted ‘Area of Special Concern’
• 2006 - Program built• January 1, 2007 - Inspection
notices mailed
Low risk systems – inspect every 3 years
High risk systems – inspect every 3 yearsAND
Dye test every 6 years
Key: Risk-based approach …
HWPA Program Statistics
*Focus: inspect, pump as needed
Certificates Issued: Inspection +
maintenance complete and system is
working
Number of Septic Tanks Pumped
5503 3696
78% of total sent
67% *of total issued
Dye Tests
Number of Dye Tests
Number of Systems
that Passed
Systems needing repair
147 94 (89%) 9 (11%)
Septic System Repair Activity
Installed % ofTotal Installed
Systems 62 51%Tanks 55 45%SandFilter/Mound Rebuilds
4 3%
121
There are still steel septic tanks in Thurston County
Septic Tank Levels
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
1 201 401 601 801 1001 1201 1401 1601 1801 2001 2201 2401 2601 2801 3001 3201 3401 3601 3801 4001 4201 4401 4601 4801
Co
mb
ine
d S
cu
m +
Slu
dg
e (
Inc
he
s)
Pump when scum + sludge more than 16"
Working depth of typical septic tank - 48"
Pumping Septic Tanks – the #1 Neglected Maintenance Issue
Detail of Minor Repairs
Minor Repair Description Number of ...Replace / repair baffles 215
Pipes, floats, electrical 180Tank holes & cracks 131Pump problems 52Other 29
15-Month Total 547
Grants
Riser Rebates
Key: Incentives& Assistance
$51,000
$45,892
$74,230 Low Interest
Loans
HomeownerWorkshops
Riser Rebates $51,000
3696 tanks have been pumped
Minimally developed shoreline… 14.2
residencesper mile
2006 data
But DenseDevelopment
2 hours“travel time”
away
Stormwater treatment has also been ahigh priority. Infrastructure has beenbuilt to treat stormwater flowing to Woodland Creek.
… as a result
shellfish growing areas
have beenreopened!
upgrades
What made it happen?
Who made it happen?
Upgrade:• The will to do it• Hard work• Cooperation
• Watershed residents• Homeowners• Farmers• Cities
• County staff• State agencies
Let’s celebrate!
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