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Failing on-site septic systems cause human waste to
leach into the soils surrounding the system. This waste, which has
high levels of fecal coliform bacteria, can then make its way into
nearby water bodies, whether a creek or stream, a lake, groundwater
wells or marine waters, and pollute these waters. Septic systems
can fail for a number of reasons: improper installation, inadequate
soils for the system type, advanced age, damage to the system, improper
maintenance, etc. Whatcom County Health and Human Services recommends
that homeowners get their septic systems pumped and inspected every
3-5 years- this will help extend the life of the system and will
identify possible problems sooner. A number of projects have taken
place in Drayton Harbor to address the issue of on-site septics possibly
contributing to the pollution problems in the harbor.  
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- Whatcom County Health Department On-site Septic System Targeted
(OSS) Inspection and Repair Program - Failing on-site septic
systems were one of the potential pollution sources identified
in the initial closure response strategy. To help address this
issue, a special project was developed in 1997-98 to survey
252 OSS systems that were within priority drainage areas of
Drayton Harbor or other waterbodies i.e. streams in the watershed
(priority drainages= areas identified in the Western Washington
University study as showing elevated fecal coliform counts).
Of the 252 systems surveyed, 54 failed. A special Department
of Ecology (DOE) "Shellfish" grant was secured to
help with the cost of repairs. All but one of these systems
have been repaired.
- Educational program on the Maintentance and Operation of
OSS - Whatcom County Health and Human Service Department
mails out ~1250 reminder notices per quarter to OSS owners
in Whatcom County to have their systems pumped out and inspected
every 3-5 years. In 2001, County Health developed a new flyer
on proper Operation and Maintenance of on-site septic systems.
Six thousand of these flyers were distributed in the Drayton
Harbor watershed.
- 1994-1995 On-Site Septic Survey
This survey of on-site septic systems was conducted by the Whatcom County
Health Department and included 146 sites within a half-mile of the shoreline
in Drayton Harbor. Of the 146 sites surveyed, 10 were found to be failing
and an additional 64 systems were suspect. The 10 failures were abated
and 27 of the suspect systems were hooked into the sanitary sewer system.
Thirty-eight percent (38%) of the systems surveyed did not meet the current
system design standards and most of these were located in areas where the
soil conditions were not considered satisfactory for conventional on-site
septic systems. Additional follow-up work confirmed an additional 11 failing
systems and resulted in additional follow-up on 21 suspect systems. Education
of the public on proper maintenance of their septic systems to promote
public health awareness and to help protect the environment from sewage
contamination was a big component of this project.
On-site Septic Systems
Municipal Sewer Systems
Agricultural Practices
Boats/Marinas
Stormwater Runoff
Wildlife/Non-human Contributions
Other Sources
Education and Community Involvement
Data Management/Water Quality Monitoring
Reports |
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