Volume of solids in wastewater. Avoid chemical drain openers for a clogged drain. Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option, Informacion sobre la vacuna contra la COVID-19, COVID-19 Information for Food Establishments, Selling Your Property - Report of System Status. These gases can sink or rise, displacing oxygen that you need to breathe. The effluent is distributed via pressure throughout the drainfield by utilizing small diameter pipes with small holes to distribute the liquid throughout the drainfield. Protect your system from damage. 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. A "how to" guide is available on the online permitting portal when applying for a septic permit. The pollutants harm local ecosystems by killing native plants, fish, and shellfish. Don't put concrete or plastic over your septic system. These materials do not decompose or breakdown easily, if at all. Bellevue, WA 98007, Phone: 206-477-8050 (answered until 3:00 pm), Link/share our site at www.kingcounty.gov/oss, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, Private wells, plumbing and onsite sewage systems, Pollution Identification and Correction Program (PIC), On-site Sewage System Technical Advisory Committee Bylaws, On-site Sewage System Technical Advisory Committee Membership Application, Quarter 1 OSS TAC Meeting March 30, 2022, 9-11am on Zoom. Adam Zimmerman, President and CEO of Craft3. Exposing these areas to sewage increases a persons risk of contracting an illness. List of certified septic pumpers, installers, and monitoring and maintenance professionals, List of designers and engineers certified to work in Snohomish County, Planning and Development Services Map Portal, Septic Contractors & Certification Services. Please arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. 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. See Ecology's. The drainfield is where effluent is discharged into the environment. As per inspection requirements set forth in SCC 12.05.160 and WAC 246-272A-0270 a homeowner will become eligible to inspect their own septic system only if the following conditions are met: If you meet these conditions, your first step is to take the Septics 101 Class online . It is also wise to keep a record of maintenance on the system. Remove gross contamination from your equipment. The more wastewater you produce, the more wastewater the soil must treat and dispose. Grass is the best cover. Meet septic system requirements before you do. If your system was installed before 1975 and no records are available, here are some tips to help you locate your system: Communicable Disease Prevention & Control, HIV Case Management and Prevention Services, Children & Youth with Special Healthcare Needs, School Inspection Guidelines and Resources, Community Health Needs Assessment & Improvement Plan, Sr. Septic System Records Search; Septic System Maintenance Records Search; Contact. If your system was installed before 1975, no records may be available. Sanitize: After thoroughly rinsing the tools, immerse the equipment in a sanitizer solution. 14350 SE Eastgate Way Think of them like a sewage treatment plant, only much smaller. One of the main site characteristics that determines the type of system you have is the depth of native, unsaturated soil beneath the drainfield and above a water table or other restrictive layer. Rakes can be used to lift floats and screens. The first step in maintaining your septic system is obtaining your septic permit. Providers The bigger the tank, the more capacity it has to handle solids and water, which could allow for more time between pumpings. If you have been watering lawns and other landscaping on your property, your readings may not accurately reflect all of the water processed by your septic system. This process may require the use of a stiff bristled brush to remove all contaminants. Most household wastes, such as harsh chemicals, paints, and oils can be disposed of at your Complete a septic application using the online permitting portal. Green grass or depressions in your yard may be indications of where your tank is located. The pressure can compact the soil and damage pipes. If youd like us to call you, please provide a phone number. This will be located downhill from the septic tank outlet baffle (unless there is a pump). The best way to determine your system type is to review your septic permit. Any homeowner with a pump included in their system is required to obtain additional training with a certified Operations & Maintenance (O&M) provider to sign off on the additional training provided for these system types. The descriptions below may also help you determine your system type. Health Programs, Healthy Communities, WIC, Nurse/Family Partnership. Grease can also clog the pores in your soil, damaging your drainfield and may lead to system failure. A septic system evaluation can be performed by a septic system professional. Shellfish that grow in marine waters are harvested from our beaches and can become contaminated by failing septic systems. County Code, The septic system is a conventional gravity septic system, The OSS is a conventional gravity, a pump to gravity, or conventional pressure system, The property is not immediately adjacent to a marine shoreline, The inspection is not for the purpose of a real estate transfer or sale, The homeowner has completed Skagit County Septics 101, The homeowner has completed a Septics 201 Field Training Class, The homeowner can supply an as-built of their septic system, The homeowner must agree to allow a possible follow-up quality assurance visit by public health staff at a mutually agreeable time. Treatment component (if applicable) Distribution system. Caring for Your Septic System | Washington State Department of Health Caring for Your Septic System Inspect Your System If your system is only a septic tank and drainfield, commonly called a gravity system, you need to inspect it at least once every three years. The scale should be described on your as-built. Department of Ecology News Release - Sept. 21, 2021. . Financial assistance We Issue Septic Permits, Inspect Final Septic Installations, And Investigate Complaints Associated With On-Site Sewage Systems Septic System Failure The On-Site Sewage Program provides educational, advisory and permitting services for owners of septic systems and certifications for septic system installers, operations and monitoring specialists and septic pumpers. Local landscapers or nurseries can help you select plants that are appropriate for the areas around your septic system. I can't find my record drawingrequest Health Department search for a record you can't locate. They can be purchased at your local hardware store and are fairly easy to install in a typical faucet. Privacy Policy Altering the biological balance may discourage the natural proliferation and growth of bacteria found in your system and will not allow for normal and productive decomposition of the wastes you put into your septic system. You can check for leaks in your toilet too. Remove the equipment and tools from the soap and water mixture. Keeping drains free from blockage ensures that surface water is being moved properly around your septic system. If the label says, Danger, Warning or Caution bring it to the facility for proper disposal. Maintenance Keep water runoff away from your system. How would you like to receive your "as-built": Before 1975, permits were not required by law. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! (Not compatible with Internet Explorer.) Remember, the soil where your drainfield is located, is capable of disposing of only so much liquid. You may request a copy of your as-built by completing the downloadableAs-built Request Form (coming soon), coming into our offices, or calling us at 509.460.4205. It is imperative that you take all necessary precautions to minimize the risk of becoming sick or injured when conducting your inspection. Poor landscaping can cause septic system problems, including premature failure of your septic system. The chemicals can alter the natural biological conditions found in your septic system. Environmental Health Code, Chapter 1, General Provisions, Environmental Health Code, Chapter 2, On-Site Sewage, Environmental Health Code, Chapter 3,Water Regulation, Appeals Process of Orders and Decisions of the Health Officer. Cat litter, pet poop, condoms, tampons, sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, paper towels, facial tissue, hand wipes, hair, cigarette butts, and coffee grounds are only some of the items people flush into their septic systems, but shouldnt. If electrical problems are identified, a homeowner should contact a licensed Electrician. The pump tank will store the effluent until it is conveyed to a drainfield. For example, a scale of 1 = 20 means that every inch on the paper is equal to 20 feet in your yard. Save your money from septic tank additives. 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. 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. A failing septic system is usually a costly and urgent situation for homeowners. If documents are not available please contact Clark County Public Health at (360) 397-8428. These areas provide a transmission corridor for viruses and bacteria to enter the body. 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. 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. Get the latest on local COVID-19 trends, news and helpful resources from Chelan-Douglas Health District, weekly in your inbox. In these cases, it may be increasingly difficult to maintain your septic system without a significant amount of effort. Flies, rats, and other vectors can encounter sewage from a failing septic system and subsequently pass the diseases found in sewage to humans or infect other animals at locations far from the failing system. [Ver este comunicado de prensa en Espaol]. Ideally these connections, when found in the pump tank, will be located in a junction box that keeps wire connections protected from breakage, while keeping the wires organized. If you have a water meter on your property, you can easily figure out how much water you and your family are using. Sewage related records are typically marked with an "SWG". To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. Approved OSS site design applications submitted online since May 2019 are also available. This program has continued with funding from the Washington State Department of Health to perform public education and outreach activities, offer rebates to encourage septic system inspections, and improve tracking and reporting capabilities. A long piece of rebar can be pounded into the ground to look for a tank. Then, they will submit a report to Public Health about the status of your system. While they may not have a negative effect on your system, they do fill your septic system with wastes that require removal through pumping. Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. There is a 25 gallon / household / month limit, for free! Email Environmental Public Health . Properly built and maintained septic systems have many benefits. NOTE:Before 1975, permits were not required by law. 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. Educate property owners to make sure their septic system gets proper maintenance. Please note- many other septic systems exist, we are only discussing those allowed to be inspected by homeowners through this course. This requirement went into effect September 1, 2010. . The Snohomish County Health Department works to ensure that septic systems are located and installed correctly, and kept in good working condition. A 2006 state law (RCW 70.118A) required Puget Sound counties (including King County) to designate MRAs where shellfish growing areas are closed due to bacterial pollution (or if closure is likely), or where bacteria or nitrogen are seriously affecting water quality. To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. Site Sewage Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. The drainfield is the final and the most downstream component in your septic system. Install flow restrictors on all or select faucets. Most of the on-site sewage system (OSS) records including site designs, historic inspection reports, record drawings (also known as as-builts) in King County records are available online. Soil over your system should be slightly mounded to help surface water runoff. While the Septics 201 online program provides the basic information necessary to operate and maintain most gravity septic systems, it cannot address every condition and situation that may be encountered. Birth & Death Certificates, Food Worker Cards, Public Records Request, Report a Complaint & Fees. Once the sewage is at the drainfield, it is dispersed via gravity within the drainfield. Wastewater Rules and Regulations | Washington State Department of Health Wastewater Rules and Regulations Fees Chapter 246-272 WAC, Wastewater and Reclaimed Water Use Fees On-site Sewage Systems Chapter 246-272A WAC, On-Site Sewage Systems Chapter 246-273 WAC, On-Site Sewage Additives Minor septic system issues can turn into big costly problems. Building remodel permits Interested homeowners can apply for a Clean Water Loan by visiting the Craft3 website. A homeowner will become eligible to complete an evaluation of their own OSS only if the following conditions are met: Once all the above conditions are met, the homeowner is required to submit a completed On Site Sewage Summary Report form, provided by public health. Thank you for your patience as we continue to update our new website. There are many different types of systems. Food waste from garbage disposals fill the septic tank and can clog the drainfield. To learn more, check out our 3D septic system models. Eliminate or limit the use of a garbage disposal. After reviewing this information and the training videos listed below, homeowners may evaluate their own on-site sewage system (OSS). 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 . Contact information; Hours & location Learn the basics of septic system design, maintenance, and dos and donts to keep your septic system working well as long as possible. A typical conventional gravity system will not have any mechanical devices to convey water or material; gravity will do all of the required work. Mailing Address 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA . Real estate professionals need to inform both the buyer and seller of this requirement. Phone: : 360-385-9444. Accessibility, View your Septic System Information Online, Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan, Children and youth w/special health care needs, Nurse-Family Partnership - helping first-time parents succeed, View your Drinking Water Information Online, Food worker testing & manager certification, FAQ's for farmers markets, bazaars & temporary events, Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences, Environmental health resources for schools, School Health and Safety Technical Advisory Group, View your operations and maintenance report on onlineRME, See if your septic system is documented appropriately, View inspection reports from November 2007 - Present, Get quick access to the same records our staff use: like as-built drawings or permits, 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. 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. Combined, these systems treat 154 million gallons of wastewater annually. Garbage disposals are frequently installed in new homes. If not, please do not enter anything in this field. Reduce the risk of contaminating groundwater and surface water. Generally, the more people in the home, the more often you need to pump. Directions. RSS Guidance for properties with multiple structures. Please note this is the number of our answering service, and you will receive a call back from Public Health. Tank lids come in different shapes and sizes. Save you money and extend the life of your system. Tanks installed after 1976 are two compartment tanks and both compartments will need to be pumped out. Stay . . The completed form must include photos of. It has been partially treated but still contains disease-causing bacteria and other pollutants. For example, "the property is on 30th Avenue between Spruce and Verbena.". If your system is only a septic tank and drainfield, commonly called a gravity system, you need to inspect it at least once every three years. The loan program is a partnership between the Department of Ecology, the Department of Health, local county and health departments, and Craft3, a nonprofit community lender. 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. We recommend searching by the 12-digit tax parcel number. View Map 3020 Rucker Avenue Suite 104 Everett, WA 98201 Directions Phone: : 425-339-5250 Fax: : 425-339-5254 Hours Regular hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Water coming from roof drains, driveways or other surfaces should be directed away from your septic system. . Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake. Records of its size and location may be available at your local health department. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. Think of inspections like oil changes and routine maintenance for your car, you do a little here and there to keep it running for as long as possible. The final step to evaluating your system is completing the appropriate Skagit County Health Department On-Site Sewage System (OSS) Homeowner Report. Care must be taken to properly clean electronic tools such as drills or screw drivers. 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. Mailing Address 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368. While trouble-shooting, water can be used to simulate normal water flow through the septic system. The phone number is 360-385-9444. Lids are heavy and may be difficult to remove. . 400 Belfair: 360-275-4467, Ext. Public Records; Smoke-Free Housing Information; View. In these cases, the owner will find it easier to utilize the services of a licensed O&M Specialist. records on any property. Flushing them will increase the need to pump, maintain and repair your system. Grass may grow greener in these disturbed areas. Departments / Elected . ), all septic system parts should be vented thoroughly. Vince McGowan, water quality program manager for Ecology. Grease is a common household waste product that many people flush or rinse down the drain. Keep vehicles, heavy equipment, and livestock off your septic tank, drainfield, and drainfield replacement area. Thurston County also performs this service for a fee. The environmentalists investigate complaints of septic system failures that contribute to land pollution. A septic system, also known as an on-site sewage system (OSS), stores, treats, and disposes of the things you flush and send down drains. Missing information, photographs, etc. Even latex paint waste should be minimized. Keeps You and Your Neighbors Healthy Household wastewater is loaded with disease-causing bacteria and viruses, as well as high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Figuring out how many gallons of water per day that you have consumed, will allow you to evaluate if your septic system is operating per the original design. Washington County Septic Systems The Environmental Health section issues permit for private sewage disposal systems and inspect new construction of private sewage septic disposal systems. Manager of Healthy People & Communities. This program supports healthy shellfish and fisheries, and helps ensure Washingtonians have access to swimming beaches and recreation.. Use a brush to clean the hard to reach portions of the tools. Customer service counter opens at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month. Are You Prepared, Severe Weather, Wildfires, Vulnerable Populations & Limited English Proficiency. Many things you do in your yard or on your property can affect the systems function and performance. The final treatment occurs in the soil of your drainfield. Make sure the nursery understands you need plants that are shallow rooted and require little watering. To find out what type of system you have, take a look at your propertys as built records. It is important to keep the solids, called sludge, from building up and coming near the outlet baffles of the system if this happens, solids could plug the pipe to the drainfield, or even worse, clog the drainfield. Concrete lids may become cemented into place due to the shrinking and swelling of concrete. Don't select the large-load cycle if you're washing a small amount of laundry. Board of Health Meetings; Fee Schedule; . There may be circumstances where it will be difficult, dangerous, or even impossible for a homeowner to properly evaluate and maintain their OSS by themselves. Public health licenses these professionals, and maintains a list of System Maintenance Providers. OSS records If the as-built is accurate, this will allow you to find plumbing stubs, tank lids, distribution boxes, drainfield lines and observation ports. Septic Applications in 3 Easy Steps. On-site Sewage System (OSS) Program The Public Health On-site Sewage System (OSS) Program helps to ensure that over 85,000 septic systems including 192 septic systems in Seattle are safe. A property owner with a pump system must have additional training to demonstrate competency with pump systems. 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. Most people perceive a slow dripping faucet as nothing more than a nuisance; however, a septic system will be burdened by additional water going down the drain. Rakes, shovels, and poles can be used to reach components that are well below ground or out of reach. This is called vertical separation, and you can see in the figure how the vertical separation determines the type of system needed for a specific site. 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. Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain. It does not mean that you do not have a septic system or that it is failed or illegal. Online portal submissions They protect your eyes and mouth from the liquids in your septic system. Brochures, OSS records Well-functioning and properly maintained septic systems can effectively treat household wastewater for many years. Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership with specific counties. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! The On-site System Maintainer (OSM) will inspect your system components: Septic and pump tanks. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate.