Basics
- Puget Sound Indicator Name
- Onsite sewage system failures
- Progress Indicator
- Each Unit (count)
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- Topics
- On-site Sewage Systems
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No Reporter Selected
- Contributing Partners
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- Last Updated
- 05/28/2025 16:42:02
Map
Description
This indicator tracks the number of small on-site sewage systems (OSS) with an identified and unresolved failure. Though failures range in severity and potential for environmental and public health harm, OSS with unresolved failures are a leading pressure negatively impacting water quality and shellfish beds in Puget Sound. This indicator can help us track and manage OSS failures to understand progress toward minimizing unresolved failures and their resulting impacts.
Progress Indicator Chart
No reported data available
In Puget Sound, fecal pollution impacts water quality, harvest ability and food safety of shellfish, and presence of viruses in swimming areas. Local health jurisdictions across the Puget Sound region work to educate and provide technical assistance to homeowners with onsite septic systems to prevent pollution concerns before they arise.
This Progress Indicator tracks the number of on-site sewage systems (OSS) with an identified and currently unresolved failure. Failures range in severity and potential for environmental and public health harm. Most failures do not result in surfacing sewage or sewage entering Puget Sound. However, any failure has the potential to worsen or significantly impair environmental and public health.
This Progress Indicator is in development.
Key Progress Indicator Results
This Progress Indicator is currently under development.
Methods
- Monitoring Program
- Data Source
Local Health Jurisdiction routine biannual reporting to Washington Department of Health.
- Critical Definitions
Failure: A condition of an on-site sewage system or component that threatens the public health by inadequately treating sewage or by creating a potential for direct or indirect contact between sewage and the public (WAC 246-272A-0010). *Failures range in severity.
Interpretation of Results
Datasets
No datasets uploaded.
Reporting Guidance
- Reporting Instructions
Subcategories
No Subcategories for this Puget Sound Indicator.