KING COUNTY, WA - Public Health - Seattle & King County will be holding a public meeting next Tuesday from 6 - 7:30 PM to discuss amending of fees for the on-site sewage program. Public Health would like to hear ideas from the community on how this program can be financially supported.

The meeting, which will be attended by Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County, will be held at:

Background

In order to protect public health, county and state code requires local health departments to implement plans to periodically monitor on-site sewage systems (OSS) within their jurisdictions to assure that the OSS owner properly maintains and operates the OSS. In addition, state regulations require local health departments to provide educational materials and OSS operation and maintenance information to OSS owners.

In order to fund these mandated programs, Public Health is considering a $20.00 pumping service fee to be collected from OSS owners by septic tank pumping companies. The new fee would offset the costs of the OSS operation and maintenance monitoring activities.

The OSS Operation and Maintenance Program is currently funded by a two-year grant from King County Department of Natural Resources. This funding expires December 31, 2001.

For more information on Public Health's onsite sewage program, visit their webpage at www.metrokc.gov/health/wastewater/oss.htm.