Ed’s report was given by Cliff Goodman. Christie True, of King County Wastewater had suggested we invite Dr. Alonzo Plough, head of the Seattle/King County Dept of Public Health to our public meeting. Ed had also spoken with a member of the Outer Quartermaster Harbor Association, and they are very interested in the work we are doing.

Mike Morris is a local (Black Diamond, WA) contractor, who has experience installing the Clearwater aerobic treatment system. Mike is also meeting with Dr. Plough on 11/25/02 to discuss his department’s interest in septic tank alternatives in King County.

Ken reports very positive responses to our project among Land Trust members and at Vashon Household.

Sharon Nelson, legislative aid to County Councilman Dow Constantine, and long-time advocate on septic system issues, provided information on the potential downsides of aerobic treatment systems. These issues included proprietary systems produced by very small companies that may have limited options for maintenance and repairs, as well as more rigorous maintenance schedules that might be unenforceable. She felt that without proper maintenance, and changes in lifestyle to accommodate the physical limitations of the systems, consistent satisfactory performance could not be assured.

Jerry Walton, a local engineering consultant, suggested that Dr. Plough was our best bet for contacting Seattle/King County Public Health. He also suggested we speak with David Lowe, a local contractor who was very familiar with aerobic treatment systems, and was conducting a class on those systems for septic system designers in Pierce County.