The Shellfish Strategic Initiative Lead (SIL) is pleased to announce the funding recommendation for the 2025 Request for Proposals (RFP) to support onsite sewage system (OSS) management needs in areas impacting water quality of shellfish growing area classification protection and restoration in Puget Sound.  

The successful proposals implement the 2022-2026 Action Agenda and Shellfish Beds Implementation Strategy while supporting priority actions identified in Local Integrating Organization (LIO) OSS Action Plans. LIO Action Plans are a detailed outline of gaps, needs, and barriers in the form of “actions” needed to achieve a locally specific recovery goal. 

With $500,000 of EPA’s Puget Sound Geographic funds, the Shellfish SIL is investing in the following three proposals to implement priority OSS management actions:  

Clallam County Health and Human Services to modernize the County’s OSS database and strengthen pollution prevention efforts across the Sequim-Dungeness Watershed. This investment will integrate permitting, inspection, and mapping platforms to improve data accuracy, automate compliance reporting, and create public-facing tools that increase transparency and community engagement. The project also supports staff training and collaboration with Tribal partners to ensure long-term stewardship of shared resources. Together, these improvements will enhance operational efficiency and help safeguard water quality critical to the Dungeness Bay shellfish growing area and surrounding marine habitats. 

Thurston County Environmental Health to directly support the upgrade, maintenance, and protection of shellfish growing areas by identifying and reducing sources of fecal pollution from OSS. This investment will enable the County to conduct focused shoreline monitoring and septic operation and maintenance compliance work. Funds will also support the riser rebate and septic program, offering incentives to eligible OSS owners for systems that are in need of repair or replacement. This work directly supports water quality for shellfish harvest in the County.     

Public Health Seattle King County to expand existing Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) work on Vashon-Maury Island and in the Poverty Bay Shellfish Protection District. This investment enables the County to build on the existing momentum from their PIC surveys and community outreach, as well as support identified next steps needed for protecting water quality in shellfish harvest areas. The focus will be on OSS education and outreach, financial assistance for repairing and maintaining OSS, and water quality monitoring work. This work will aid King County in addressing OSS management needs in Quartermaster Harbor and Poverty Bay shellfish growing areas.  

Why Onsite Sewage System Management? 

Failing OSS release untreated or partially treated sewage into the environment. This sewage can find its way into groundwater, surface water, or marine water, negatively impacting water quality. An OSS failure can be caused by bad system design, improper maintenance, or simply because the system has reached the end of its life expectancy. Sustainable funding for OSS management programs as well as financial assistance programs for OSS owners to finance maintenance and repairs are necessary for protecting water quality in Puget Sound.