Water Resources
Learn About Our Water Resources
WSU Extension’s research-based publications and workshops offer practical guidance for protecting natural resources associated with streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries and marine waters.
Use the links below and on the right to access resources on Washington’s water, including publications & resources, training opportunities, partners, research programs, and watershed management.
Properly maintaining your septic system is one of the most important ways rural homeowners can protect local water bodies. The WSU Extension Mason County Small Farms Program collaborates with Mason County Public Health to host annual ‘Be Septic Smart’ free educational workshops for the community.
Need Septic System Resources?
Check out the below links for information on maintaining your septic system, Mason County regulations and requirements, and financial aid resources.
Mason County Septic System Professionals & Records
- Mason County | Septic System Maintenance Schedule & Approved Service Providers
- Mason County Public Health & Human Services | On-Site Sewage and Septics
Sewage Operation & Maintenance
- Washington State Department of Health | Wastewater Management
- United States Environmental Protection Agency | Septic Systems
Self-Inspection
- Washington State DOH | Do-It-Yourself Inspection Video & Field Guides
- Mason County | Inspecting Your Septic Tank
Septic System Financial Assistance
Low Impact Development (LID) techniques mimic nature and improve our communities by reducing flooding and filtering pollution from stormwater. Techniques include pervious paving, rain water harvesting and storage, green roofs, and rain gardens.
Beautiful and functional, rain gardens are built to capture and filter runoff from impervious services (pavement, roofs, etc.). In these gardens, storm-water slowly infiltrates into the ground; there, it is filtered by the gardens’ plants, bacteria and fungi rather than running directly into nearby water bodies.
The WSU Shore Stewards program provides 10 guidelines and other resources for living on or near waters of the Salish Sea regions, including Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Strait of Georgia, and lakes, rivers, streams, and coasts in the area.
Learn More about Shore Stewards
Not ready to commit to becoming a Shore Steward? Check out our Shoreline Living Resources below more information.