Frequently Asked Questions

The MRA in eastern Clallam County was established because parts of Dungeness Bay are currently closed for commercial and recreational shellfish gathering, and there are bacterial pollution problems in some of the streams that empty into the Bay and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Human waste, most likely from poorly functioning or failing septic systems, is contributing to these problems according to recent research that identified bacterial sources. The Sequim-Dungeness Clean Water District was created by Clallam County in 2001 partly to address issues such as insufficient monitoring of septic systems. Because of this link the MRA was located to essentially coincide with the Clean Water District.

The MRA encompasses the Dungeness Watershed, those waters influenced by it through the irrigation system, and nearby independent tributaries to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It extends from the Bagley Creek watershed east to and including the Sequim Bay Watershed and Miller Peninsula, and from the Strait south to the county line.

Septic system owners in the MRA must have a recent inspection performed by a professional licensed to conduct inspections in Clallam County once their system has been in use for a period of time before registering in the Septics 201 Homeowner Inspection Program. Homeowners who have completed Septics 201 Do-It-Yourself training will be allowed to submit inspections of their own septic system if it meets all of the requirements of the Do-It-Yourself inspection program once they have a recent professional inspection on file. See the Summary of Septic System Inspection Requirements for more information.

• List of On-site Maintenance Providers (PDF)