PORT TOWNSEND — Information on the condition of streams flowing into Quilcene and Dabob bays and about grants to help repair septic systems will be offered at an open house Dec. 5.
Jefferson County Water Quality Department will host the public open house from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 at the Quilcene Community Center, 294950 U.S. Highway 101 in Quilcene.
Free water conservation gifts will be provided to all who attend.
The open house will feature information on low-cost loan and grant programs to aid in septic system repairs, services available from Jefferson County Public Health to area residents, information on how residents can get certified to do their own septic system inspections, and the latest status on the water quality health of the streams flowing into Quilcene and Dabob Bays.
Staff members will answer questions from the public.
High levels of fecal bacteria detected in local streams have repeatedly prompted the closure of tidelands to recreational shellfish harvesting and swimming, said Evan Dobrowski, of the public health department, in a news release.
“Jefferson County Water Quality Department is trying to address this problem and improve stream conditions throughout the county,” Dobrowski said.
The open house is part of a project funded by the state Department of Ecology, which has included regular monitoring of streams for bacterial pollution and other parameters affecting the health of people and the environment.
For more information, call 360-385-9444.