. Household bleach is a very effective sanitizer for killing bacteria and viruses. As of Sept. 1, homeowners with septic systems in every Washington county have access to affordable financing for septic repair and replacement. Greases can congeal anywhere in your plumbing or septic system. Saves You Money Regular maintenance fees of a few hundred dollars every few years is a bargain compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a malfunctioning septic system, which can cost thousands. This does not mean that such a system is illegal or failed; it just means that a homeowner may have trouble conducting the evaluation. Water coming from roof drains, driveways or other surfaces should be directed away from your septic system. Training of the homeowner by a Skagit County certified O&M provider or attendance at a Washington State On-Site Sewage Association (WOSSA) or similarly approved training class on pumps is required. Environmental Health records (including on-site sewage records) are available online. A Pressure Distribution system will have all of the following major components, each of which should be thoroughly inspected: plumbing; septic tank(s); pump tank; and a drainfield. Due to differences in elevations, on some occasions, a pump is needed to get the sewage to the drainfield. Complete a septic application using the online permitting portal. You must be able to observe the inlet and outlet of your septic tank. Volume of solids in wastewater. Learn the basics of septic system design, maintenance, and dos and donts to keep your septic system working well as long as possible. Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership . Concrete lids may become cemented into place due to the shrinking and swelling of concrete. Regular evaluation of your On- Site Septic System (OSS) is required by State (WAC 246-272A-0270) and local (SCC 12.05.160) health regulations. Flow restrictors on showers and other high volume water fixtures can dramatically reduce your consumption of water. Maintaining your septic system will save you money as well as help maintain or improve surface and groundwater quality in Skagit County. Brochures It provides Washingtonians access to affordable financing for the repair and replacement of septic systems. Options for inspecting your system include: Pump out your septic tank when needed. Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain. In these cases, the owner will find it easier to utilize the services of a licensed O&M Specialist. As-built: shows location of on-site sewage system Permit: documentation of permitted system Previous Inspections: links to onlineRME.com to show recent operation and maintenance inspections If documents are not available please contact Clark County Public Health at (360) 397-8428. Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. Routine inspections save time and money in the long run. Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership with specific counties. The completed form must include photos of. Discharging effluent onto the ground's surface or into surface and ground water is against Washington State law. Keep accurate records of your septic system. Septic System Records Search; Septic System Maintenance Records Search; Contact. If you cannot remove the lid, contact a licensed O&M Specialist. Entry page for Thurston County Environmental Health Septic System Program: Permits, Operational Certificates, Septic System Operation and Maintenance, Septic System Evaluation of Properties for Sale, Rules and Regulations Enforcement, List of Certified Septic Contractors, Low-interest Loan Program . If at any time you do not feel comfortable or confident in your ability to evaluate and maintain your septic system without the risk of becoming ill or injured, you should hire a licensed O&M Specialist to perform the work for you. This requirement went into effect September 1, 2010. Public Health continues to work with Vashon-Maury Island residents to document improvements to water quality, find sources of excessive bacteria, and, where possible, eliminate these sources. Birth & Death Certificates, Food Worker Cards, Public Records Request, Report a Complaint & Fees. Proper hygienic practices minimize the risk of exposure to disease causing agents that are found in sewage. Our reply (from PAEGAT25) may go to your email's Spam folder. The Snohomish County Health Department works to ensure that septic systems are located and installed correctly, and kept in good working condition. The pump tank will store the effluent until it is conveyed to a drainfield. A hose with a nozzle can be used to pre-clean risers, plumbing, and inspection ports. Larger tools may require the use of a brush and a small rinse cup to completely clean areas that cannot be immersed in the bucket. Eliminate or limit the use of a garbage disposal. There is one for gravity systems and a different form for pump/pressure systems: Your form must be completed in its entirety. Septic systems that have a curtain drain installed around them, often are dependent on a functioning curtain drain. If at any time during the evaluation process you have questions, do not hesitate to call public health staff for assistance at (360) 416-1500 or e-mail eh@co.skagit.wa.us. OSS records. Water from roofs drains, driveways, patios, or sump pumps should be diverted away from the septic tank and drainfield area. Think of them like a sewage treatment plant, only much smaller. Lids may be square, round or rectangular, and are typically large enough to allow for the tank to be pumped out. Interested homeowners can apply for a Clean Water Loan by visiting the Craft3 website. . Environmental Health 415 N. 6th Street Shelton, WA 98584. If your water meter has a counter, all you need to do is write the number down, along with the time and date and a few days later, look at the meter again. A Sanitarian of the Day is available Monday through Friday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on a first come, first served basis either by . It is also wise to keep a record of maintenance on the system. When a failing septic system is fixed, the benefits go beyond the home. . The probe can be used to identify the size and orientation of the tank (rectangle vs. round, 4 X 8 foot, etc). Food Safety, Land Development, Environmental Hazards, Water Recreation & Public Schools . Don't wait until you have a problem. A Marine Recovery Area (MRA) was established to protect especially sensitive marine waters from pollution from poorly functioning or failing on-site sewage systems (OSS). Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. The drainfield is the final and the most downstream component in your septic system. Drainfield and the reserve areas. Some are simple, using only a tank and a drain field, and others are more complex, requiring pumps, filters, blowers, UV lights, or specially designed materials. Tools can be used to further minimize your exposure to the sewage contained in your septic system. In the past there were no standards for septic systems and permits were not required. The chemicals can alter the natural biological conditions found in your septic system. As-Built Records Northeast Tri County Health District maintains records of permits for completed on-site sewage systems. Covering the eyes, mouth, and any open cuts is particularly important. Board of Health Meetings; Fee Schedule; . Program Activities Certification program for all septic system installers, pumpers and operations and monitoring specialists Complaint investigation relating to septic systems Education for homeowners and other professionals interested in septic systems Enforcement of state and local codes Now with statewide access, our Clean Water Loan is poised to support thousands of new households and contribute to improving shared water resources across the Evergreen State,. Maintaining your system will require the use of your hands to do many things including lifting lids, operating sludge judges, lifting floats, pulling filters, and adjusting valves. Search for records on any property. RSS Guidance for properties with multiple structures. Your local health agency may have a more stringent inspection requirement. Check the Washington Department of Labor and Industries to find information about electricians. Once you submit your quiz and contact information, we will have a record of you completing Septics 101. A typical conventional gravity system will not have any mechanical devices to convey water or material; gravity will do all of the required work. Some tanks have smaller lids on each end of the tank to allow for inspection of inlet and outlet baffles. If heavy rains cause water to sit around your septic system, avoid putting water down your drains. Exposing these areas to sewage increases a persons risk of contracting an illness. Garbage disposals are frequently installed in new homes. Department of Ecology News Release - Sept. 21, 2021.
The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. Make sure the nursery understands you need plants that are shallow rooted and require little watering. Do-It-Yourself Septic System Inspection Video. At a minimum, wash your hands using soap and hot water. Reducing water use will limit the demand you place on your septic system. Search for septic and drinking water records in our online search tool. These records will be helpful if problems occur, and will be valuable to the next owner of your home. Protective clothing should be worn whenever you maintain your septic system. Directions. If there is no record drawing for your septic system you will need to contact a certified O&M Provider to request a record drawing be completed and submitted to public health along with their inspection. If not, please do not enter anything in this field. On-site Program staff review and comment on land development projects and activities such as Subdivisions, Special Use Permits, Boundary . Plant trees and shrubs away from your septic tank and drainfield to keep roots from growing into your septic system. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reduce the risk of contaminating groundwater and surface water. Navigate to the Clark County PropertyInformation Center. Some household products are advertised as septic safe. You may be able to use a metal detector to help you locate the tanks as they are made of concrete with rebar, and the handles on the lids are usually made of metal wire. Your septic permit will include an as-built or record drawing; this is a drawing that shows where your septic system is located and what parts or components make up your septic system. Combined, these systems treat 154 million gallons of wastewater annually. It is imperative that you take all necessary precautions to minimize the risk of becoming sick or injured when conducting your inspection. The Drainfield The drainfield receives septic tank effluent. After completing your inspection and necessary maintenance, you should shower or bathe, even if you dont feel like youve been exposed to sewage. Look for a medication take-back program in your area. The Washington State Legislature, Departments of Ecology and Health and many counties have put in significant and consistent work over past two decades to create this program. Local Health Department Your local health agency can help you locate your septic system, provide a list of certified septic pumpers, and if available, certify you to do your own septic system inspections. SepticSmart EPA offers advice on proper septic care and brochures and factsheets for homeowners. Grease is a common household waste product that many people flush or rinse down the drain. Established in 2016, the Regional On-Site Sewage System Loan Program has helped nearly 1,200 homeowners repair or replace their septic systems, a value of $26.7 million. It is up to you to use whatever techniques you feel necessary to adequately protect yourself from exposure to raw sewage, and to seek medical assistance if you are exposed. If Public Health does not have a record for your septic system, it probably means that your system was installed a long time ago, prior to any requirement to create an as-built. Pumpers may charge you extra to locate and/or dig up the lids to the septic tank so that they are able to pump the septic tank. Landscape your system properly. Washington State on-site sewage (septic) system rules & regulations (WAC 246-272A) On-Site Sewage Basics A conventional septic system consists of two main parts: the septic tank and the soil drainfield (also referred to as a leachfield, absorption bed or absorption field). The longevity of your on-site septic system relies heavily on the way that you care for it. Flushing them will increase the need to pump, maintain and repair your system. Harsh chemicals including acids, bases, pesticides, herbicides, oils, paints, and varnishes should never be drained into any fixture that leads to your septic system. After reviewing this information and the training videos listed below, homeowners may evaluate their own on-site sewage system (OSS). Your septic system contains a collection of living organisms that digest and treat household waste. Wood Stove Rule - Is My Wood Stove Okay to Use? Educate property owners to make sure their septic system gets proper maintenance. Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry. Public Records; Smoke-Free Housing Information; View. 3020 Rucker Avenue Suite 104 Everett, WA 98201 Phone: : 425-339-5250 Fax: : 425-339-5254 Hours Regular hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. If the as-built is accurate, this will allow you to find plumbing stubs, tank lids, distribution boxes, drainfield lines and observation ports. Prescription medication. In addition, the dirt used to cover the tank will settle over time, creating a shallow depression.