Poverty Bay-Vashon Island Septic Maintenance Rebate Program

The funding for this program has ended. KCD is not currently supporting any septic-related programming.

King County is offering a rebate of up to $450 for septic maintenance activities performed in the project focus areas of shoreline properties of Vashon-Maury Island and Poverty Bay. KCD is administering the rebate for the County. Eligible maintenance includes maintenance inspections, riser installation, and pumping. You can receive $200 toward a septic system inspection, $50 toward a riser installation (up to 2 per property), and/or $200 toward septic tank pumping. All work must be performed by a King County certified provider.

Have Questions? Need help? You can email oss@kingcd.org or call 425-773-1668.

If you need language assistance, please contact ehossinformation@kingcounty.gov.

To Qualify for a Rebate

The window for applications has closed.



      If you have general questions about the rebate, please email oss@kingcd.org

      We’d Like to Hear From You

      You can help us improve this Septic Maintenance Rebate Program by taking a brief survey to provide feedback on your experience. We’d like to hear from you whether you did or did not participate in the program.

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      Why is this project important?

      We are working to keep the water clean in Puget Sound for the health of your community. We are focusing on shoreline properties of Vashon-Maury Island and Poverty Bay as we know the fecal pollution sources from these areas can impact the water quality, shellfish harvesting, and water recreational activities. Find out more about how you can maintain your septic system and keep the water clean in our focus areas!

      Septic System Resources: Brochures and resources – King County
      Septic System Care: Taking care of your septic system – King County

      Healthy Beach Project in Vashon-Maury Island: Healthy Beach Project – King County
      Poverty Bay Shellfish Protection District: Pollution Identification and Correction Program – King County

      What is a septic system?

      Septic systems are underground wastewater treatment systems that homeowners own and operate, which are common in areas without centralized sewer systems. Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. Newer septic systems can use special technologies to make water very clean before it goes into your yard and our environment.

      Septic system design and size can vary widely due to a combination of factors, including household size, soil type, site slope, lot size, and proximity to sensitive water bodies. For information visit Types of Septic Systems on epa.gov.

      Why maintenance is important:

      • Saves You Money – Regular maintenance costs a few hundred dollars every few years. This is a bargain compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a failing septic system, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
      • Keeps You and Your Family Healthy – Household wastewater is loaded with bacteria, and viruses. Overlooking (or delaying) maintenance poses harmful health hazards that can lead to illness or disease. A properly functioning septic system maintenance helps remove these pollutants so well water and nearby waterbodies aren’t contaminated.
      • Protects the Environment – Failing septic systems release bacteria, viruses, and other materials that eventually enter streams, rivers, lakes, Puget Sound, and the ocean. The pollutants harm local ecosystems and can harm native plants, fish, and shellfish, and harming the people who eat them.
      • Protects Your Property Value – An unusable septic system, or one in disrepair, lowers your property value and poses a potentially costly legal liability in repairing or replacing the system, which costs around $15,000 to $40,000. Disclosing a septic system failure is a seller’s duty (RCW chapter 64.06).

      Visit Washington State Department of Health Septic Systems for more information and helpful videos. Or contact King County On-site Sewage System Program at 206-477-8050.


      This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement PC-01J18001 to the Washington State Department of Health. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

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