Water Quality Monitoring and Dye-testing
(Includes establishing water quality monitoring, ambient monitoring, targeted shoreline monitoring, storm/event sampling.)
In order to gauge whether OSS inspections are being completed, Mason County does ambient monitoring of a third of the shoreline each year in a three year rotation. This initial survey was important for finding and fixing shoreline pollution problems, but ambient work in the streams and marine water is key to documenting long term success.
Office Evaluation
(Includes GIS and other existing data evaluation.)
The Carmody database is used for tracking OSS O&M service events. It has the ability to run specific reports and provide data to be evaluated. MCPH works with the county's GIS department to complete GIS layers and develop maps to be used in the evaluation.
From Mason County's WQ Standard Operating Procedure:
- Obtain Parcel File - review permits on file to determine age of the system, size, location, basis for determining size, system design, whether final inspection was conducted, soil texture/classification, and any outstanding conditions (e.g. expired O & M permit). Fill in information on the survey data form and attach a copy of the As- Built.
- Review any records of complaints received regarding the system, look in Tidemark and the parcel file.
- Review the Soil Survey to determine soil types.
- Acquire all maps pertinent to the survey area, i.e. topographical, road, and assessor maps.
Parcel Inspection (Sanitary Survey)
Sanitary surveys are done as needed and are a routine part of complaint investigation of a failing OSS. Operations and maintenance (O&M) information is in a searchable database, which helps to see the success of the work. The county can easily get a report of who is current with maintenance, and do follow up visits to investigate cracked lids, baffles, etc.
Visual Inspections from Vehicle
Visual inspections from a vehicle include observation of animal keeping practices and land moving activities that may or may not require a site visit to the property.
Experimental Methods
Microbial Source Tracking (MST)
Microbial source tracking was done by the Squaxin Island Tribe and EPA through a Western Estuaries Initiative grant.
Plane Fly-Overs
n/a
Scent Testing
n/a
Incentives
Mason County offers four septic workshops each year, with discounts on OSS pumping for class participants. Oakland Bay used an incentive based approach with the ability to enforce. Incentives included a $200 riser rebate, which was the result of a survey that found that OSS were most commonly not maintained because they needed to be dug out. The barrier to routine operation and maintenance was as simple as having easy access to the OSS components.
Incentives have been more effective than enforcement. The balance between enforcement and incentives has been an issue for the SPD, but Mason County has implemeted a program that works for this area's citizens.
Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Fencing of Heavy Use Areas
Fencing is one of the BMPs used by the MCD.
Riparian Buffers
WSU Mason County conducts shoreline workshops and has an active shore stewards program. MCD has had several successful planting projects to replace or enhance riparian buffers in the Oakland Bay watershed.
Farm Plans
MCD provides farm plans for interested property owners through the Mason County Farm Assistance Program.
Operation and Maintenance
MCPH uses the Carmody O&M database as the backbone of the program. Periodic mailings to citizens, some specific to the type of OSS and some general to all homeowners, are an effective tool in Mason County. The pumpers and O&M specialists report an uptick in business after the mailings go out.
Other Tools
Port of Shelton has put in larger holding tanks at their facility and contracted with MCD for buffer planting.