You Want Me To Do What? A "Hands-On" Approach to Educating Homeowners About Septic Systems

“I don’t flush the toilet like I used to…once you open that lid and face…that…it changes you.”-Homeowner, attending a septic inspection certification class

Traditional methods of soliciting compliance with Environmental Public Health (EPH) regulations include everything from civil penalties to recording violations on the title of a property. While these techniques are still widely used, and in many cases remain quite effective, the changing EPH landscape has caused many local and state health agencies to explore other opportunities to obtain compliance and protect public health.

In 2007, new regulations required that all on-site septic systems (OSS) in Washington State be monitored and maintained on a regular basis. Clark County Public Health (CCPH) developed local regulations with an emphasis on OSS inspections by certified OSS professionals. This approach has been met with resistance by many residents and policy makers who believe property owners should have more opportunity to complete their own inspections to reduce costs. This interest on the part of the homeowner presents an opportunity for CCPH to develop new tools to encourage a partnership through education that can empower the homeowner and potentially ease the burden on the regulator. CCPH is taking advantage of this opportunity through the development of a data driven, risk based program designed to train homeowners how to inspect their own OSS.

CCPH believes that homeowner inspections, while not as comprehensive as professional inspections, will foster behavior change that will lead to more conscientious use of OSS. Informed property owners can also feel more engaged during professional inspections, and have the knowledge to make the right decision that could save significant money when it comes to identifying problems with their OSS before it fails.

This presentation will explore how the program proposal was developed using input from key stakeholders including policy makers, the professional OSS industry, and property owners. Additionally, the methodology for developing a tracking system to measure the effectiveness of the education program will be discussed, followed by anticipated outcomes and next steps.