What's new with the Clean Water Program? Read about our recent success stories in the community.
November 2009 - Sunnyside Neighborhood sewer project benefits from multi-agency cooperation
In a cooperative effort, the Clean Water Program worked closely with Clark County Public Health and the Clark Regional Wastewater District (CRWWD) to successfully bring sanitary sewer to the Sunnyside neighborhood, an area plagued by failing septic systems, which can pollute both ground and surface water. CRWWD’s decision to recently install a new sewer main in the neighborhood was supported by information gathered by the Clean Water Program and Clark County Public Health.
Clean Water Program scientists tested nearby Padden Creek for bacteria pollution in response to a citizen’s concern about water quality. . When the results confirmed elevated bacteria levels, the county sponsored sophisticated testing to determine the source of the bacteria. Those tests indicated that human and dog pathogens were present, suggesting that the bacteria were coming from septic systems and that pet waste from the ground surface was also finding its way into failing leach fields and then the stream.
Subsequently, Clean Water Program technical assistance staff and Public Health representatives also provided letters of support, testified at wastewater district board meetings, and attended public meetings in the Sunnyside neighborhood.
The testing ultimately provided the information that CRWWD needed to bring the Sunnyside project to the top of their new Septic Elimination Program list. Installation of the $700,000 sewer system was completed in November 2009. To date, three homes have hooked up to the new sewer, including one with a failing septic system. Several more residents have inquired and plan to take advantage of the District’s low cost financing. Neighborhood residents hooking up to sewer within the next year qualify for a 30% deferral of local facility charge. For more information on Clark Regional Wastewater District’s Septic Elimination Program, call (360) 750-5876 or go to www.crwwd.com.
October 2009 - Wanke Meadows neighbors pull together to repair their stormwater facility
Last spring, residents of the Wanke Meadows neighborhood in Hazel Dell were notified by Clark County's Clean Water Program that their privately owned stormwater facility was out of compliance with the county's Water Quality ordinance due to lack of maintenance.
County staff met with residents to explain stormwater facility ownership and maintenance responsibility. Rather than hire an outside contractor to do all the required maintenance work, a small group of Wanke Meadows residents stepped up to spearhead the volunteer effort to bring their stormwater facility into compliance. This smaller group rallied the neighborhood into volunteering their time during several summer and early fall work parties. Step by step residents cleaned up and made repairs to bring their stormwater facility into compliance.
Neighbors scheduled work parties to remove all the blackberries overrunning the entire stormwater facility and cut dozens of small alder and birch trees invading the pond area of the facility. After a hiring a heavy equipment contractor to remove all the accumulated sediment and re-grade the facility, the Wanke Meadows neighborhood volunteers got back to work with another weekend work party to install a retaining wall for a maintenance access road. Finally, the volunteers planted sod and spread seed to revegetate the newly graded bioswale.
By working closely with county's Clean Water Program staff each step of the way and doing much of the work themselves, the Wanke Meadows neighborhood volunteers demonstrated true community spirit and managed to save over $10,000 in the process.
For more information about private stormwater facility maintenance, call Cary Armstrong, Clean Water Technical Assistance, at (360) 397-6118, ext. 4392 or email cary.armstrong@clark.wa.gov.
August 2009 - Landowners pick up streamside litter
When walking streams for the Stormwater Needs Assessment Program (SNAP), Clean Water monitoring staff often discovers trash and debris littering the stream bank and riparian areas. Last fall, the Clean Water Program mailed letters to private landowners with noted trash sites explaining the impact of trash on stream health and habitat and asking for their voluntary assistance by picking up the debris.
The response from 22 landowners was overwhelmingly positive, with most indicating they were unaware of the problem and a willingness to clean up their stream. Often, owners called back to let staff know they had taken care of the problem. One landowner reported taking 1,200 pounds of trash to the dump and another proudly reported removing three garbage bags and four five-gallon buckets of litter, six tires, three washing machine tubs, 1 clothes dryer cabinet, drain pipe, and aluminum siding.
Keeping our streams litter free is important to protect water quality and stream habitat for fish and wildlife. During flooding and other natural events, litter and debris may be picked up and washed downstream. This can affect neighboring properties, impact the community’s safety, and decrease enjoyment of natural areas. For more information on the SNAP, call Jeff Schnabel at (360) 397-6118 ext. 4583 or email jeff.schnabel@clark.wa.gov
