The Health District’s Sinclair Inlet Restoration Project will host a workshop on the maintenance and care of on-site sewage systems from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 at the Givens Center, 1026 Sidney Ave., in Port Orchard.

Workshop attendees will learn about the basic mechanics of their OSS, and maintenance tips to help them maximize the life of their sewage systems. A wide variety of printed information will be available, including Health District homeowner’s manuals, and information on non-toxic alternatives to household cleaners. Water conservation items, such as low-flow shower heads and “toilet tummies,” will also be made available upon request.

The workshop is funded by a Centennial Clean Water Fund grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology. The grant funds efforts to reduce fecal coliform bacteria contamination and improve water in Sinclair Inlet streams and marine waters. The Health District, Department of Ecology, Kitsap Conservation District, and Kitsap County Surface and Storm Water Management Program are partnering to conduct the Sinclair Inlet Restoration Project.

Elevated fecal coliform bacteria levels are an indicator of the presence of bacteria and viruses that can cause illness. The project is investigating all fresh water drainages to Sinclair Inlet, extending from Illahee State Park in the north, to Manchester State Park in the south.

A water quality cleanup plan (Total Maximum Daily Load) is currently being developed by the Washington State Department of Ecology for Sinclair Inlet. This project is a key component of this cleanup plan.