Septic System Repair Program Helps the Needy

Courthouse Journal
Washington State Association of Counties & Washington Association of County Officials
September 12, 2002
Submitted by Jerry Deeter, Environmental Health Director, Kitsap County Health District

We've all heard the old cliché, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is." In Kitsap County, the on-site sewage industry and the Kitsap County Health District are making something that sounds too good, actually come true. These two groups are now working together to fix failing septic systems for homeowners financially unable to do the work themselves. The program is called the "Self Help Repair Program" for failing on-site sewage systems.

Low-income families with failed on-site sewage systems often fall through the cracks of the various low-income loan programs that exist in the county. They simply can't qualify and, therefore, have no other means of obtaining assistance to complete the frequently spendy repairs.

The Self Help Repair Program attempts to correct this situation for some needy families. Through their daily field inspections, Health District inspectors identify homeowners that may be eligible for this program. Applications are reviewed by a committee comprised of representatives from the on-site sewage industry.

Once an applicant is accepted, the committee and Health District work together to organize the repair. This includes gathering donations of materials, coordinating volunteers, and providing a licensed contractor to supervise the repair. Repair designs and sewage permits are required by the Health District, however, all fees are waived. Homeowner applicants will be expected, when possible, to contribute to the repair by moving plants, locating existing system components, and other chores that assist in the repair without interfering in the work performed by the contractor and the volunteers. The work performed by the applicant is essential in providing a sense of investment and ownership and helps ensure the continued maintenance of the on-site sewage system following the repair.

The program was put to its first test in early June. Ada Beglau, an 86 year old South Kitsap resident, was selected to be the first self help repair. Ada lives on a fixed income, and was unable to pay for the repair without outside assistance. The cost of the septic tank, drain field and other miscellaneous materials would have cost her approximately $4,500. However, because of the Self Help Repair Program, all materials, including labor, were donated. The repair took place on a Saturday morning with seven on-site industry contractors and seven representatives from the Kitsap County Health District taking part. Five hours after arriving on the site, the repair was complete. Needless to say, Ms. Beglau was ecstatic with her new drain field and as Carl Zimmer, a local on-site sewage system installer stated: "It was refreshing to see people in the Health District working with people in the industry side by side."

The "Self Help Repair Program" is a worthy program that brings both regulators and private industry together to repair failing on-site systems for individuals who do not have the means to do it on their own. The future success of the program will depend on the continued donations of materials and equipment from industry and the continued enthusiasm of our volunteers.

For more information, contact Jerry Deeter, Environmental Health Director, Kitsap County Health District, (360) 337-5289 or deetej@health.co.kitsap.wa.us.