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septicsmart
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
CASE
Snohomish County Septic System Outreach
Pilot Program
As of 2011, over 78,000 septic systems were registered in
Snohomish County, Washington, however the number of
failing systems was unknown. Studies of streams in multiple
Snohomish County, watersheds consistently show the
presence of bacteria from human sources. This regular
presence indicates that failing septic systems may be a
probable source.
The county's Surface Water Management Division launched
a septic system outreach pilot program to improve water
quality by encouraging septic system owners to adopt a
suite of best management practices (BMPs) related to the
care and maintenance of septic systems.
PROGRAM ELEMENTS
Through a Centennial Clean Water Fund grant from the
Washington State Department of Ecology, the Surface Water
Management Division conducted research in order to select
target audiences, solidify realistic program goals and
objectives, and identify audience barriers to BMP adoption
and motivators for behavior change. Research methods
included:
For Septic System Owners:
• Interactive polling,
• Telephone survey, and
• Focus groups.
For Service Providers:
• Questionnaire, and
• Rapid Ethnographic Survey.
From this research, the Surface Water Mangement Division
developed and tested a multi-modal public involvement and
septic system education strategy consisting of:
• Direct mail campaigns,
• Landowner workshops,
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
With the ultimate of goal of cleaner waterways,
the pilot program sought to alter everyday
behaviors of septic system owners, including
regularly checking drain fields, and encouraging
increased mindfulness about what should and
should not go down drains and toilets. The effort
also educated homeowners on the necessity of
regular septic system tank inspection and
maintenance.
• Onsite septic system care web pages, and
• "House calls" from Snohomish Health District
sanitarians to inspect properties and speak one-on-
one with homeowners about their septic systems.
A full report on this pilot program and outreach materials are
available at the Septic System Outreach Pilot Program
website: www.septicreport.surfacewater.info.
PROMOTION
The county's outreach initiatives were advertised via:
• A direct mail campaign, which notified homeowners of
promotional items available at workshops, including
drain snakes, drainers, and more.
• Fact sheets and brochures available online and
distributed through technical assistance visits,
sanitary surveys, and workshops.
• Mailers and doorknob hangers.
• Posters in public spaces and local businesses.
• Postcards.
www.epa.gov/septicsmart | page 1
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Snohomish County Septic System Outreach Pilot Program
• Emailed announcements to key influencers.
• Announcements on the division's website.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
The Surface Water Management Division's first challenge
regarding its pilot program was identifying key geographic
areas to target. This was solved by narrowing down targeted
areas to select sub-basins in northern and southern areas of
the county, as well as rural and suburban neighborhoods.
Focus group research indicated that homeowners with septic
systems had strong negative reactions to scare tactics, such
as suggesting homeowners with systems that are 30 years
old or older may need to replace their system simply due to
its age. To mitigate these negative reactions, the program's
messaging utilized a positive tone.
Additional research proved that many homeowners were
unsure if they could trust septic system professionals. This
was addressed with an ethnographic survey, which
increased understanding and explored limitations of the
septic industry.
Program managers suggest that some BMPs, such as
inspecting septic tanks routinely, may have barriers that are
difficult to overcome with education alone.
By integrating an education program with an enforcement
program or a service area, such as a septic district, agencies
may be able to influence a significant majority of
homeowners to adopt these higher-barrier BMPs.
PARTNERSHIPS
The pilot program benefited from a number of different
partnerships, including but not limited to:
• A collaboration with the Snohomish Health District
and Department of Ecology to develop a
Snohomish County Septic System Program Public
Involvement and Education (PIE) plan.
• An alliance with Edmonds Community College to
conduct a rapid ethnographic assessment of septic
system industry professionals.
• A collaboration with the Snohomish Health District
Septic Issues Committee to survey operation and
maintenance providers.
• A partnership with Washington Sea Grant, which
provided an engaging workshop speaker.
RESULTS
Overall, participants responded positively to the pilot program, stating that they preferred the effort's "direct, no-nonsense"
information versus "scare tactics."
In addition to boosting residential septic system awareness and improved behavioral changes, the program has increased
the Surface Water Management Division management's understanding of homeowner attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors
regarding septic systems. Wth this increased understanding, the division has been able to create improved messaging that
will better connect with audiences.
The program's success was measured via a direct mail campaign, focus groups, house calls, and post-workshop surveys
mailed to participants seven months after the workshops.
Additional information on the results of the pilot program can be found at: www.septicreport.surfacewater.info.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SNOHOMISH COUNTY
SEPTIC SYSTEM OUTREACH PILOT PROGRAM
Please contact Stephan Frenzl, Communication Specialist, at
425-388-6466 or stef.frenzl@snoco.org
www.septicreport.surfacewater.info
Snohomish
County «^
www.epa.gov/septicsmart
EPA-832-F-12-041 I November 2012
v>EPA
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