Thurston County Public Health to Hold Workshop on Proposed Septic Plan

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Thurston County Public Health will hold a septic plan workshop to allow members of the public to learn about proposed changes and give input on the septic management plan, which would affect all septic owners countywide.

Proposals include the replacement of current fees with a charge to all septic owners via the property tax statement process.

The proposed charge would be reduced by 50 percent for those eligible for the senior and disabled tax exemption program. 

There are two proposals for how to structure the charge. One is an annual flat fee of $45 to all septic owners. The other is a tiered fee ranging from $22 to $66 depending on the location of the septic system and documented water quality problems in the area.

Strategies and recommendations were developed for electronic database systems, septic systems operation and maintenance, special management areas, septic education, funding strategy, and plan implementation.

The proposals were developed unanimously by an advisory committee that met for eight months to learn about local septic management issues and to make recommendations.



The plan can be read online at www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehomp. An input survey can be accessed at www.surveymonkey.com/r/septicplanfeedback. The survey will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18.

The workshop will be held Thursday, Feb. 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Griffin School, 6530 33rd Ave. NW, Olympia. 

For questions or comments about the proposed management plan updates, call (360) 867-2643 or email venninj@co.thurston.wa.us.

For general septic questions, call the septic helpline at (360) 867-2669.