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Island County approves two-year septic franchise renewal, defers related Camano Island hearings amid inspection gaps
Summary
The Board of Island County Commissioners on Jan. 13 approved a two-year franchise renewal for James and Karen Delcour’s Camano Island septic system with a requirement to complete inspections, and deferred three related franchise hearings to allow staff review of PRD/HOA history and shared drain-field arrangements.
Island County commissioners voted Jan. 13 to renew franchise PW20240184 for James and Karen Delcour for two years and required that the property complete required septic inspections within that period, moving the matter back to the board for review before a longer 10-year franchise is considered.
The action followed a presentation by County Engineer Ed C. Wester and testimony from Environmental Health Manager Heather Kordom that several waterfront drain-field franchises before the board had never had recorded inspections. “We end up with about 15% compliance countywide,” Kordom said, urging the board to use the renewal process to call out noncompliant systems and ensure testing is completed.
Commissioner discussion focused on enforcement and timing. Commissioners said they wanted a short renewal window to prompt property owners to obtain required testing; the board settled on a two-year renewal with a requirement that testing occur in that window. Wester summarized the renewal protocol: the county is offering a five-year renewal now pending a dye test; once property owners pass the dye test they become eligible for a 10-year franchise.
The board then considered similar Camano Island franchises that share off-site drain fields. Commissioners asked staff to research whether a previous planned residential development (PRD) and homeowners association had dissolved and whether shared management should remain in place. Because of those unresolved questions and the sensitive environmental setting (Eldridge Bay and other waterfront areas were cited), the board unanimously voted to defer the hearings on the Solvang franchise (PW2024-0204) and the Witham/Widham Revocable Trust franchise (PW220240207) to a date uncertain but before June 30 so staff can consolidate review of the six related parcels.
Why it matters: Off-site drain-field franchises and annual inspections are county tools for protecting groundwater and shoreline areas. Health staff and the engineer told the board that many pump-based systems require annual maintenance and that irregular compliance leaves the county unable to confirm whether systems are functioning properly.
What’s next: The Delcours must complete testing within the two-year renewal window; staff will notify property owners and return to the board as required. County staff will research the PRD/HOA history for the cluster of six parcels and report back before the consolidated hearings scheduled to occur prior to June 30.
