Vashon-Maury Island Marine Recovery Area

In 2006, state law required Puget Sound counties (including King County) to designate MRAs where shellfish growing areas are closed due to bacterial pollution from septic systems, if closure is likely, or where bacteria or nitrogen are seriously affecting water quality. The MRA in King County was established because parts of Vashon-Maury Island were closed for commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting.

Public Health is proposing to update the Vashon-Maury MRA based on new data from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), tribal treaty rights, and state law requirements to protect water from failing septic systems.

DOH’s most recent shellfish surveys found that effective septic management is needed to upgrade VMI shellfish growing areas along Colvos Passage from “Prohibited” to “Approved.” Further, more information about septic system status is needed on other VMI shoreline properties to classify additional VMI shellfish growing areas that are currently “Unclassified.” Washington State law requires that each county identify steps to manage pollution from septic systems, particularly in high-risk areas like shellfish growing areas, in local management plans. King County’s Local Management Plan notes that MRAs should be updated based on available data.

The current VMI MRA has been shown to be a very successful model in working with shoreline property owners to maintain septic systems and lead to water quality improvements. Including all VMI shoreline properties in the MRA is a clear and equal designation of highest-risk septic systems (if a shoreline septic system has problems, it’s very likely the sewage will get into the water).

As such, Public Health is proposing to expand the MRA to all VMI shoreline properties to protect water quality, ensure tribal treaty rights, and meet state requirements. Expanding the MRA will also help protect shoreline property investments and keep beaches healthy for wading, kayaking, shellfish harvest, and fishing.

The goal of the MRA is to keep pollution from septic system out of Puget Sound. If a septic system on shoreline properties has problems, there is a high likelihood that the sewage will get onto the beach and into the water. By including all shoreline properties, the MRA boundary is a clear and equal designation of highest-risk septic systems.

We are evaluating several options for inspection requirements to check septic systems along the shoreline. We are looking for feedback on the below proposed options.

• Option 1: Keep current MRA inspection requirements. All septic systems in the MRA have to be inspected annually by a certified maintainer. This costs about $435 per year ($400 for the inspection cost, $35 for the reporting fee).
• Option 2: Change MRA inspection requirements based on risk to water quality. An inspection by a certified maintainer would be required every three years for a permitted gravity system and every year for other system types. Additionally, high- risk septic systems that are closer to the water or close to the end of their expected lifespan would be evaluated in greater detail through shoreline sampling and a possible dye test every 9 years. This would cost about $200 per year for gravity septic systems and $585 per year for other septic systems ($185 reporting fee).

A septic system inspection usually costs $300-400. The OSS Maintenance Rebate Program is available to help with inspection costs. Septic system repairs and replacement costs vary widely. Some fixes are simple and only cost a few hundred dollars. If a new septic system is needed, this usually costs $40,000-50,000. Financial assistance is available for these costs too.

When septic systems don’t fully treat sewage, germs in wastewater flow through the soil on properties and onto the beach. These germs can then get sucked into filter-feeding shellfish or be swallowed by kids who are swimming, causing people to get sick.

The first step is to know where your septic system is located. You can find your property’s record drawing on the Septic Records Search. Make sure you put only human organics, toilet paper, and a small amount of chemicals or food scraps down the drain. Spread out water usage by doing laundry and running dishwasher at different times. Lastly, learn about local septic resources and opportunities like Vashon Team Septic (Septic Sisters) and the Septic Self-check pilot program.

A property owner may request an exemption to MRA inspection requirements if the property meets the following conditions.

• Initial MRA inspection shows that OSS is operating as designed without deficiencies
• Approved OSS record drawing exists
• OSS is over 100 feet from the shoreline

Public Health will evaluate the exemption request to determine if the risk of sewage discharge to the beach is low.