Clallam County Environmental Health will offer Septic 101, a free informational septic system class, in April.
Pre-registration for the class is required. To register visit www.clallam.net or call environmental health at 360-417-2258.
The class will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St.
The class is an introduction geared toward homeowners wishing to learn more about their septic systems. The course describes different types of septic systems, general system care and maintenance, and do’s and don’ts for a healthy system.
Area residents interested in becoming certified to inspect their own septic system are encouraged to attend Septic 201 “Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Self-Inspection” classes.
Pre-registration required
Pre-registration for the classes is required. To register visit the website or call environmental health.
Environmental health will offer the free classes in March, May and June.
The 201 classes provide an overview of the what, why and how of safely inspecting a septic system and include an instructional video, a brief demonstration and a short exam.
According to a news release: “Not all septic systems are eligible for homeowner inspection,
county officials note, and systems located in the Marine Recovery Area — between Bagley Creek watershed and the eastern county boundary — must have an initial inspection by a licensed septic inspector.”
Septic inspections are required by state law. Conventional gravity septic systems need to be inspected every three years; all other systems need to be inspected annually.
Pumping is not the same as an inspection, county officials add.
Septic 201 classes are scheduled as follows:
• 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, in the commissioner’s meeting room (160) at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
• 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, at the Forks Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., Forks.
• 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, at the Dungeness River Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Park, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road, Sequim.
Silver sewer award given to Port Angeles
PORT ANGELES — The city’s Combined Sewer Overflow Reduction Program received a Silver Award from the state Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies.
The annual awards were held Jan. 19 and are considered the “Academy Awards” of engineering, recognizing the efforts of design professionals and their clients throughout the state, the city said in a news release.
The work was performed by the city and the Seattle-based engineering firm Brown & Caldwell.
The project is the largest Public Works project in the history of Port Angeles and is a resounding success, the city said.
From 2003 to 2009 there were as many as 144 sewer discharges into the city’s harbor.
Since the project’s implementation there have been no overflow sewer spills — a feat that the city claims hasn’t happened for decades.
The project has prevented an estimated 40 million gallons of sewer spillage from entering area marine environments, said the city.
Representing the city at the council’s awards dinner were city project leads James Burke, Jeff Bender and Mike Szatlocky.
For more information, call Craig Fulton, director of Public Works & Utilities, at 360-417-4800.
History scholarships available
PORT ANGELES — The North Olympic History Center announced Friday, March 23 as the submission deadline for scholarships offered through its Hands on History program.
Entries are currently being accepted. To submit, email Patrick Noonan, education chair, at papanoon@gmail.com.
Submissions are requested to be between 1,500 to 2,500 words and focus on an aspect of Clallam County history.
Two $1,500 scholarships will be offered to high school seniors and juniors, and two $500 scholarships to sophomores to fifth-grade students. Homeschooled students are encouraged to apply, as well.
Mentors, provided by the center, are available to help participants choose a subject. To request a mentor, email Noonan.
Submissions are planned to be judged Wednesday, March 28.
Finalists will present their work during a public event at 2:30 p.m. at Lincoln Center, Sunday, April 15.
Award money will go into dedicated accounts and be held until the students enroll in college, according to a news release.
For more information, email Noonan.
