November 5, 2019

For Immediate Release

Denese Schauer

Environmental Health Specialist

Jefferson County Public Health

360-385-9407

Port Townsend--Jefferson County may be able to help you with the cost of repairing or replacing your on-site sewage system.

There are nearly 14,000 permitted septic systems and a good number of unauthorized or pre-permit systems in Jefferson County, many of which are located on or near the shoreline. Any one of these systems not treating wastewater effectively can have a negative impact on public health. Identifying those systems in need of repair or replacement improves water quality for everyone.

Homeowners can be unaware that there is a problem with their septic system. In recent years, septic owners have been routinely reminded to inspect their system, either by becoming certified homeowner inspectors or by hiring a professional. As a result of those inspections, we have been able to identify many systems in need of repair or replacement.

By utilizing federal grant funds (managed by the Washington State Department of Health) from the United States Environmental Protection Agency National Estuary Program (that are being managed by the Washington State Department of Health), Jefferson County is able to assist homeowners to qualify for up to 80% of the costs for a repair or replacement system.

Qualifications for this program include:

• Cost share funds may not exceed $20,000.00 for one property

• Property should be located in Hood Canal/Discovery Bay area

• Property must be owned by the applicant

• Professional determination that the system is failing or at risk of failing

• Funds are limited and will be allocated according to geographic, public health and financial criteria

• Household income cannot exceed United States Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines for 2019 https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines

• State and local regulations require regular monitoring of septic systems- every 3 years for conventional gravity and annually for systems with a pump

We are urging anyone interested in this limited program to apply. The program will remain open until June 2021 or until funds have been exhausted. You can call and request an application to be mailed to you or print one out on our website.

Bring in or mail your completed application to Jefferson County Environmental Public Health, 615 Sheridan Ave, Port Townsend, WA 98368.

To access the website, please go to:

www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org

Or check us out on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/jeffersoncountypublichealth/

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Jefferson County Public Health
Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Community