Septic Management Plan Updates Affect Septic Owners in Thurston County

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Thurston County is seeking comments on proposed changes to the county’s on-site sewer system management plan. 

Septic system owners and other residents are invited to learn about the plan and provide feedback at one of two septic plan open houses.

The first open house will be held 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday at Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, located at 412 Lilly Road NE, Olympia.

The other open house is scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Rainier Sportsman’s Club, located at 404 Alaska St., Rainier.

Proposed changes include developing an equitable, stable and self-sustaining funding mechanism to adequately support the septic operation and maintenance program, a press release said. 

Current funding relies on charges to properties within shellfish protection districts, and fees for time of transfer reports, operational permits and pumping and inspection records.

An advisory committee recommends a single charge to all septic system owners that would replace existing fees and charges. The proposed charge would be collected through the county property tax statement, and be reduced by 50 percent for those within the senior/disabled tax exemption program.

Two proposals on how to structure the charges have been developed.



Either a flat fee of $45 would be charged to all septic system owners, or a tiered fee system ranging from $22 to $66, depending on documented water quality problems in the area and the location of the septic system.

Key points in the plan address concerns the committee had about the current system.

An advisory committee unanimously recommended the changes to the plan. The committee met over eight months to learn about local septic management issues.

Those unable to attend the open houses can view the plan online at www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehomp. Comments can be submitted through Dec. 15 at www.surveymonkey.com/r/SepticPlanFeedback. 

Comments, or requests for more information, can be sent by email to venninj@co.thurston.wa.us, or by calling (360) 867-2643. 

For general septic questions, call the Septic Help Line at (360) 867-2669.