Lake Tapps residents are encouraged to attend a free workshop on how to maintain their septic systems and keep the jewel of Bonney Lake clean.
The TappsWise Septic System Workshop, hosted jointly by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and Cascade Water Alliance, will be held Oct. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Island Lodge, 20818 Island Parkway East.
“Residents can learn septic system basics, troubleshooting tips, and the importance of septic maintenance and required routine inspections,” the health department wrote in a press release, adding that residents can get copies of their system’s records and view interactive 3D septic system models.
Not only is this a chance for folks to learn more about their septic systems and how they impact the lake, but qualifying homeowners can receive up to $450 in discounts on septic system services, and there will be a raffle for free septic services at the event, the health department continued.
“The cheapest septic system you’ll ever own is the one you have now,” said Leigh McIntire, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department program manager. “When you take good care of your system through regular maintenance and inspections, you avoid costly repairs or replacement.”
Like many lakes around the state and the country, Lake Tapps has its usual bouts with milfoil and toxic algae blooms, especially in the summer.
But these incidents — especially algae blooms, which can make swimmers sick — are exacerbated when chemicals are introduced to the lake through inappropriate lawn care and septic system maintenance, said Elaine Kraft, communications director with Cascade.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for all of us to remember what we should do with wise yard care and how to keep our septic systems healthy,” she said. “Poor choice of fertilizer, not natural yard care and failing septics really are what contribute a great deal to the flourishing of milfoil and other things in the lake.”
Another TappsWise workshop on natural lawn care is scheduled to be held Oct. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Island Lodge as well, and will cover tips like which shoreline plants will keep the lake healthy (and keep geese away), how to properly fight weeds, which chemicals help toxic algae blooms, and more.
For more information, go to www.tpchd.org/healthy-homes/tappswise.
