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A “How to Guide” for Water Pollution Identification and Correction

A “How to Guide” for Water Pollution Identification and Correction. Eva Crim, MPH, RS Environmental Health Specialist Pollution Identification & Correction Program. Introduction. Pollution Identification and Correction programs have been used by Puget Sound counties to:.

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A “How to Guide” for Water Pollution Identification and Correction

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  1. A “How to Guide” for Water Pollution Identification and Correction Eva Crim, MPH, RS Environmental Health Specialist Pollution Identification & Correction Program

  2. Introduction Pollution Identification and Correction programs have been used by Puget Sound counties to: • Find and remove bacteria sources • Respond to shellfish bed closures • Reverse declining water quality trends

  3. Pollution Identification & Correction (PIC) Guidance Document • Introduction • Part 1: PIC Grant and 319 (4B) Funding • Part 2: How to conduct a PIC program

  4. Pollution Identification & Correction (PIC) Guide Document • Part 1: PIC Grant and 319 (4B) Funding; WA Dept. Health and Ecology identified 9 key elements to include in PIC programs to be eligible for State and Federal grant funding

  5. Part 1: PIC Grant and 319 (4B) Funding 1. Identify / prioritize areas for PIC investigations 2. Identify causes and sources of pollution 3. Describe best management practices to be used to correct sources 4. Describe technical & financial assistance for landowners 5. Include information and education component

  6. Part 1: PIC Grant and 319 (4B) Funding.. cont’d 6. Describe schedule for implementing corrections 7. Describe milestones for implementing corrections 8. Monitor to determine whether water quality is improving 9. Obtain sustainable funding

  7. Part 2: How to implement a PIC Program Provide an overview of the contents of the Guidance document • Introduction to Kitsap’s PIC program • Creating a prioritized work plan • Identifying pollution sources • Water Quality monitoring • Correcting pollution sources • Appendices

  8. Pollution Identification & Correction Program Guide • Elements for a successful PIC program: • Political support • Stable funding • Standardized Procedures • Effective education and outreach • Enforcement capability • Consistent follow-up

  9. Kitsap Public Health’s PIC program Funding provided by • Kitsap County Stormwater Program and • Federal and State grants; DOH, Ecology, EPA

  10. Creating a prioritized work plan Prioritization Plan is developed using: • Water Quality Trend Monitoring Data • TMDL or 4B, MRA, Shellfish impairment • Public Health advisories & Illness outbreaks • Partner collaboration • Result Priority List

  11. Identifying Pollution Sources • Public notification when beginning & conducting a PIC project includes: • Press Releases • Public meetings • OSS workshops • Fact sheets/brochures

  12. Identifying Pollution Sources • Field Preparation & Safety • Shoreline surveys • Property inspections

  13. Shoreline Surveys

  14. Field Preparation and Safety • Safety • Approaching a property • Handling dogs • Visiting sites in pairs

  15. Property Inspections • Purpose of the property inspection: • Assess land use practices • Inspect onsite septic systems • Collect water samples • Provide education to residents • Provide technical & financial assistance as needed

  16. Property Inspections Private Property Access and Consent Procedure • Provided to Kitsap Public Health from the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney. The basis for the guidelines comes from interpretation of State Law cases and so should be transferrable to other Counties. However Counties should check with their legal contacts prior to adopting these guidelines.

  17. Property Inspections • Documentation is key • For follow up • Reporting • Evaluation

  18. PROPERTY INSPECTION INFORMATION: Name, Address, Phone at the top of the form Animal waste management: ___ OK ___ Needs improvement ___ Violation

  19. OSS EDUCATION CHECKLIST: ___ Water usage: (hydraulic loading, plumbing leaks, laundry, garbage grinder, low flow fixtures, runoff, sprinklers) ___ Waste strength: (use of additives, chemical drain cleaners, bleach, fabric softener, meds, fats/oils/greases) ___ Physical damage: (driving over drainfield, bldgs/structures, heavy equipment etc.) ___Inspect system regularly (pump/inspect frequency, warning signs of failing OSS, purpose for reserve area) ___ Educational materials provided circle 1 or more (Fact Sheet, OSS manual, Repair brochure, Pet waste) ANIMAL WASTE CHECKLIST: ___Pet waste ___ Manure from livestock ___ Referral to Kitsap Conservation District _______________________________________________ There is room on the back of the form to sketch a diagram of OSS, drainage patterns etc. and record sample results/dye tracing information

  20. Property Inspections Reporting : Rating criteria for OSS inspections • No Apparent Problems • No Records • Concern • Suspect • Failure

  21. Monitoring : Farms • KPHD and KCD • Prioritization • Initial site visit • Sampling

  22. Correcting Pollution Sources • Voluntary corrections • Enforcement (local authority)

  23. Correcting Pollution Sources • Voluntary corrections & Incentives • Technical assistance for OSS repair process • Septic pumping vouchers • Financial assistance through Craft 3 • Technical assistance for high priority Farms (KCD) • Cost share programs for Farms • Facilitate sewer connections & LID

  24. Correcting Pollution Sources • Enforcement: • Notice and Order to Correct Violation (NOCV) letter • Notice of Civil Infraction • Dismissal Order • Search Warrants

  25. PIC uses the principles of adaptive management

  26. Thank You! Eva Crim 360-337-5621 eva.crim@kitsappublichealth.org

  27. Background: Forming Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management Program In early 1990s: • Public works needed to develop a stormwater program • Conservation district needed to respond to legislative approval to seek a fee to fund programs for landowner assistance • Health District sought stable funding to address shellfish closures, failing septic systems & other water quality problems • Dept. Community Development sought funding for state mandated watershed planning efforts

  28. Background: Forming Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management Program • County Managers and Commissioners convened to design an interagency partnership • Ordinance 156-1993 was adopted, establishing the Surface & Stormwater Program (SSWM)

  29. Goals of the SSWM program are to: • Protect Public Health and natural resources • Minimize institutional costs • Meet state and federal regulatory requirements • Provide a permanent funding source to address nonpoint source pollution

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