Current focus areas
Healthy Beach ProjectPublic Health continues to work with Vashon-Maury Island residents to document improvements to water quality, find sources of excessive bacteria, and, where possible, eliminate these sources. During the 2020-2022 Project, we are sampling water quality, performing visual surveys, and providing free technical assistance and rebates. |
Marine Recovery Area (MRA)A Marine Recovery Area (MRA) was established to protect especially sensitive marine waters from pollution from poorly functioning or failing on-site sewage systems (OSS). A 2006 state law (RCW 70.118A) required Puget Sound counties (including King County) to designate MRAs where shellfish growing areas are closed due to bacterial pollution (or if closure is likely), or where bacteria or nitrogen are seriously affecting water quality. |
2016 On-Site Sewage System (OSS) Plan Update (PDF)Public Health – Seattle and King County (Public Health) completed a stakeholder process to update its Onsite Sewage Systems Management Plan to incorporate new information, highlight current problems, confront new critical issues and more thoroughly address all OSS throughout King County. |
Spring Beach community, the next success story!Spring Beach is a beautiful community area overlooking Colvos Passage on the west shore of Vashon Island. View Spring Beach map to see the area in greater detail. Spring Beach has about 12 properties, mostly of seasonal occupancy, all of which over a number of years discharge untreated sewage directly to Puget Sound. The Spring Beach community is making great progress and is working with professional designers and the county to install systems that meet current codes for on-site sewage systems. |