Whatcom County: Solving Septic System Pollution

Septic systems are a common way to treat sewage in Whatcom County, with over 700 homes relying on them. However, these systems can be a source of pollution if not properly maintained, impacting water quality and public health. To address this issue, Whatcom County offers resources and programs to support homeowners, including a rebate program for qualified homeowners and educational materials on proper septic system care.

Septic system maintenance

To avoid septic system failure, regular care and maintenance are required. This includes avoiding the use of your garbage disposal, as sending food into your tank fills it up faster. It is also important to avoid flushing products designed to kill bacteria down your drain or toilet, as these may also kill the essential bacteria needed to make your septic system work properly (such as antibiotics, products containing bleach, polishes, and caustic drain openers). Instead, use cleaning products that are safe for septic systems.

If you are having a problem with your septic system, such as sewage surfacing in your yard, you should have it inspected immediately. Contact the Whatcom County Health Department at (360) 778-6000 for assistance. Whatcom County also offers a rebate program for qualified homeowners who need help with septic maintenance.

Rebate programs for qualified homeowners

Whatcom County has a rebate program for qualified homeowners to help with the cost of septic maintenance. Septic maintenance can be an unexpected expense, and a failing septic system can have serious consequences for water quality.

As a septic system owner, you are responsible for evaluating and maintaining your system to make sure it is working properly. Properly working and maintained systems protect public health by keeping sewage out of the lake and reduce the chance that your system will require costly repairs in the future.

To avoid septic system failure, regular care and maintenance are critical. This includes having your system inspected if you are having problems, such as sewage surfacing in your yard. You can contact the Whatcom County Health Department at (360) 778-6000 to report any issues and learn more about the rebate program.

Additionally, there are some simple steps you can take to help maintain your septic system. These include avoiding using your garbage disposal, as food can fill up your tank faster, and not flushing products designed to kill bacteria down your drain or toilet. These products can kill the essential bacteria needed for your septic system to function properly. Instead, use cleaning products that are safe for septic systems.

Evaluating and maintaining your system

As a septic system owner, you are responsible for evaluating and maintaining your system to make sure it is working properly. Properly working and maintained systems protect public health by keeping sewage out of the lake and reduce the chance that your system will require costly repairs in the future.

The first step to evaluating and maintaining your system is to have it inspected. If you are having a problem with your septic system, like sewage surfacing in your yard, contact the Whatcom County Health Department at (360) 778-6000 immediately. Regular care and maintenance are critical to avoid septic system failure. A failing septic system can impact more than just your wallet, it can allow potentially harmful bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms to enter our drinking water. It can also result in greater algae and plant growth in the lake as a result of added nutrients.

To maintain your septic system, avoid using your garbage disposal; sending food into your tank fills it up faster! Avoid flushing products designed to kill bacteria down your drain or toilet as these may also kill the essential bacteria needed to make your septic system work properly (antibiotics, products containing bleach, polishes, caustic drain openers). Instead, use cleaning products that are safe for septic systems.

Avoiding flushing products designed to kill bacteria

Whatcom County has a rebate program for qualified homeowners to help with septic maintenance. The county also provides tips for septic systems, farms, boats, RVs and urban wildlife to help protect Whatcom waterways from pollution.

One of the tips is to avoid flushing products designed to kill bacteria down the drain or toilet. This is because these products may also kill the essential bacteria needed to make your septic system work properly. Antibiotics, products containing bleach, polishes and caustic drain openers are all examples of products that should not be flushed. Instead, use cleaning products that are safe for septic systems.

If you are having a problem with your septic system, such as sewage surfacing in your yard, you should have it inspected immediately. Contact the Whatcom County Health Department at (360) 778-6000.

The wet season is a challenging time for protecting and improving water quality. It requires consistent efforts to address preventable sources of fecal bacteria pollution. As soils become saturated, fecal bacteria from sources such as farm animals, pets and wildlife are picked up by rain and carried into our ditches and creeks and downstream to our bays and harbors.

Water quality protection

To protect water quality, it is critical that septic systems are properly maintained. A failing septic system can allow harmful bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms to enter drinking water and can result in greater algae and plant growth in lakes. Septic system owners are responsible for evaluating and maintaining their systems, and should avoid using their garbage disposal and flushing products designed to kill bacteria down the drain or toilet.

If you are having a problem with your septic system, such as sewage surfacing in your yard, you should have it inspected immediately by contacting the Whatcom County Health Department at (360) 778-6000.

Frequently asked questions