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Whatcom County Public Works

Drayton Harbor Projects

On-site Sewage System Projects (OSS)

Effects of On-Site Sewage Systems (OSS) on the Drayton Harbor Watershed

Currently there are approximately 3,000 OSS in the Drayton Harbor watershed. A failing OSS has implications that are larger than just the cost of repairs.  A failing OSS may allow potentially harmful bacteria, protozoa, or viruses to contaminate our streams, groundwater, and harbor as well as create the potential for direct contact between sewage and the public.  Additionally, sewage leaking from a failing OSS can result in greater algae and plant growth and lower levels of dissolved oxygen for fish as a result of added nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen.

Operation and Maintenance Program

OSS can fail for a number of reasons such as improper installation, inadequate soils for the system type, advanced age, damage to the system, or improper maintenance.  On-site sewage system owners are now required to have their systems evaluated every three years for gravity systems and annually for all other system types. In addition, a current OSS evaluation must be on file when a residence is offered for sale. The Whatcom County Health Department's OSS Operation and Maintenance Program provides details on these maintenance requirements.

OSS Projects in Drayton Harbor Watershed

On-site Sewage System Targeted (OSS) Inspection and Repair Program (1997-1998)-

Failing on-site sewage systems were one of the potential pollution sources identified in the initial Drayton Harbor shellfish closure response strategy. To help address this issue, a special project was developed and implemented by the Whatcom County Helath Department in 1997-98 to survey 252 OSS systems that were within priority drainage areas of Drayton Harbor identified in a 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 were repaired.

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 Sewage 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

Updated 10/15/09