A septic contractor installs a new drain field for a homeowner. Whether you're at the kitchen sink, bathtub, or utility sink: Septic tank additives sold in stores aren't necessary to keep your septic tank working properly and they don't reduce or eliminate the need for routine pumping. It is also wise to keep a record of maintenance on the system. If you hear a hollow thud and the rebar stops going deeper, you may have found a tank. Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake. Washington County: Septic Systems - The Official Website of the State Many older systems may vary in their configuration and construction. They include both new construction and repairs to failing systems. There are many different types of systems. Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. Health Programs, Healthy Communities, WIC, Nurse/Family Partnership. Septic Systems (Onsite Sewage Systems) - co.thurston.wa.us It has been partially treated but still contains disease-causing bacteria and other pollutants. . Even latex paint waste should be minimized. Lists of certified professionals The online septic case records include, if available, the permit application, the approved permit and conditions, the asbuilt or record drawing and construction report, the approved design, the soil report, and letters from JCPH since septic system installation. Washington Administrative Code chapter 246-272A and Clark County Code 24.17 requires homeowners whose property is not connected to a municipal sewer system to ensure that the property includes an approved, correctly functioning on-site septic system. . Some are simple, using only a tank and a drainfield. Healthy septic systems are good for your family, your wallet and the environment. Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. Commercial properties and non-owner occupied properties may also qualify. While trouble-shooting, water can be used to simulate normal water flow through the septic system. No other OSS may be inspected by the homeowner. The lids on the tank are circular, 20"-24" in diameter and 5'-5 ' apart. The chemicals can alter the natural biological conditions found in your septic system. Local landscapers or nurseries can help you select plants that are appropriate for the areas around your septic system. On-site Sewage System (OSS) Program - King County - King County, Washington Older septic tanks might not be sized appropriately for your home, especially if your home has been remodeled and is now larger. 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). If you cannot remove the lid, contact a licensed O&M Specialist. You can check for leaks in your toilet too. In these cases, it may be increasingly difficult to maintain your septic system without a significant amount of effort. Birth & Death Certificates, Food Worker Cards, Public Records Request, Report a Complaint & Fees. PDF The Septic Tank Early Warning Levels Inside Your Septic Tank and soil Then, they will submit a report to Public Health about the status of your system. Skagit Countys Septics 201 Online Training program is designed to help property owners maintain and use their septic system, as well as conduct regular evaluations of their OSS. Find a certified O&M provider. Septic Systems | Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Subtract the smaller number from the larger; the difference is the amount of water you used since the previous time you read the meter. Some tanks have smaller lids on each end of the tank to allow for inspection of inlet and outlet baffles. 311 Grand Avenue | Bellingham, WA 98225 | Phone: 360-778-5000 [] . System Summary Using a garbage disposal on a septic system is not recommended. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Guidelines, Standards, Rules & Regulations This document is called an "as-built," and it is a drawing of the location of your system when it was inspected by our office. Environmental Health Contact numbers: Shelton: 360-427-9670, Ext. 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. 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. Be aware that your meter readings may represent all of the water used, including irrigation. About us; Jobs - Work@Health; Public health connection blog; BienestarWA blog (espaol) Request public records; Rule Making; Topics A-Z; Ver contenido in Espaol; Browse publications; Contact Us. Property Owners | Clark County Onsite Sewage & Septics - Environmental Health - Public Health Fortunately, help is now available in every Washington county. Interested homeowners can apply for a Clean Water Loan by visiting the Craft3 website. A leaky toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water a day. 411 N 5th St Shelton WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 . The descriptions below may also help you determine your system type. It does not mean that you do not have a septic system or that it is failed or illegal. 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. These cases may require the help of a licensed O&M Specialist. It is imperative that you take all necessary precautions to minimize the risk of becoming sick or injured when conducting your inspection. Lids will likely be located near both ends of the tank. Brochures, OSS records Assemble the following items when decontaminating your equipment and tools: Decontamination of equipment or tools should include a four-step process. Oftentimes, when tanks are installed, the dirt used to cover them has a different texture than the surrounding area. Septic Systems (Onsite Sewage Systems) - co.thurston.wa.us Food Safety, Land Development, Environmental Hazards, Water Recreation & Public Schools . A typical conventional gravity system will not have any mechanical devices to convey water or material; gravity will do all of the required work. In the area near your drainfield, arrange products and tools where you can: Septic systems that contain a pump also include an electrical element. Your groundwater and Puget Sound lakes, rivers, and beaches benefit, too! Island County code requires these inspections be completed by an Island County Licensed Maintenance Service Provider. Face shields or goggles are recommended. 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. Septic Resources The Purpose Of On-Site Septic System (OSS) Program Is To Ensure Proper Treatment And Disposal Of Wastewater To Protect Our Drinking Water And The Environment. Every owner of an on-site sewage system needs to know where their on-site sewage system is located in order to properly maintain it. If you do not know where your system is located, you may be able to obtain this information from our offices. . On-site Program staff review and comment on land development projects and activities such as Subdivisions, Special Use Permits, Boundary . Remember, the soil where your drainfield is located, is capable of disposing of only so much liquid. There is one for gravity systems and a different form for pump/pressure systems: Your form must be completed in its entirety. Please allow up to five business days for a response. Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. 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. Failing septic systems can result in sewage backing up in the home or entering local waterways and groundwater supplies posing a public health threat. Oftentimes, the metal handle used to remove the lid may become rotted, and will not support the weight of the lid, nor be usable for popping off the lid. The Atrium (Environmental Health) 3000 Pacific Ave Olympia, WA 98501 Phone: 360-867-2685 Mailing Address . 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. Protects the Environment Malfunctioning septic systems release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that eventually enter streams, rivers, lakes, Puget Sound, and the ocean. This system is called Pump to Gravity Distribution. Protects Your Property Value An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property value and poses a potentially costly legal liability. A properly functioning septic system will allow for the proper venting of these gases, either through a dwellings plumbing system or through vent pipes located near your septic system. 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. Craft3's Clean Water Loans - Craft3 offers financing for replacement of septic systems in many areas of Washington. 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,. 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. For these reasons, a person should do everything possible to minimize risk of exposure to gas. A failing septic system is usually a costly and urgent situation for homeowners. Septic system records can be requested for viewing during office hours at the Health Department from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. See Ecology's. Electrical connections are typically buried and run underground from the dwelling to the pump tank. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! Another way to dispose of grease is to let the grease cool in the pan, where it can be scraped off using a paper towel. To search for septic or drinking water records, you'll need to enter your property ID number or GeoID or parcel number. 14350 SE Eastgate Way To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. OSS records. Don't put concrete or plastic over your septic system. Your septic system contains a collection of living organisms that digest and treat household waste. The completed form must include photos of. Garbage disposal and food waste going down the drain, and RV and boat waste dumped into your system, will fill the tank up quicker with solids. If you cannot locate your drainfield, please contact public health or a certified O&M provider for help finding your drainfield. Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. Poor landscaping can cause septic system problems, including premature failure of your septic system. The average size of a 1000 gallon tank is 5'x8'. 3020 Rucker AvenueEverett, WA 98201Phone: 425-339-5200. Yakima. Port Townsend, WA 98368. Never pour oil-based paints, solvents, or large volumes of toxic cleaners down the drain. Septic | Snohomish County Health Department, WA Brochures - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Sewage System Records - Benton Franklin Health District - Washington 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. 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. 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. 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. . The final step to evaluating your system is completing the appropriate Skagit County Health Department On-Site Sewage System (OSS) Homeowner Report. Sanitize: After thoroughly rinsing the tools, immerse the equipment in a sanitizer solution. Use approximately 1 cups of bleach per gallon of water (www.osha.gov) Other products, including peroxide sanitizers are effective too. 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. Are you a robot? Splashing or spraying can and will occur. 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 Repair leaky faucets and plumbing fixtures. Your septic system is not capable of handling many wastes that you may generate in your home. Learn how to obtain sewage permit information. 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. The Health District maintains records of existing on-site sewage systems for your convenience. A Conventional Gravity system will likely have all of the following major components, each of which should be thoroughly inspected: plumbing; septic tank(s); and a drainfield. Everything you put down your drain or into the toilet will end up in your septic system. Clean these tools in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Thank you for your patience as we continue to update our new website. It is a 40 minute narrated presentation followed by a 20 question quiz on septic system basics. 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. We recommend searching by the 12-digit tax parcel number. In the plumbing, liquids will carry solid materials out of your dwelling towards downstream components. An inspection report from a homeowner will only be accepted if the report is for that property owners OSS system. Septic Applications, Forms & Resources Browse applications, forms, and resources for septic systems. 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. 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. Again, using the garden hose, rinse the soap from the equipment; this will ensure the soaps do not bind with the sanitizer. Public Records Requests There are many different types of systems. 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 . Failing septic systems can leak into nearby ditches or streams where the sewage eventually ends up on our beaches where we swim, boat, and fish. 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. 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. Privacy Policy If youd like a reply, please provide an email address. 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. Public health licenses these professionals, and maintains a list of System Maintenance Providers. Routine pumping can prevent expensive failures such as a clogged drainfield or sewage backing up into the home. Septic | Northeast Tri County Health District, WA Others are more complex, requiring pumps, filters, or specially designed materials. Grease is a common household waste product that many people flush or rinse down the drain. Septic tank size. In these cases, the owner will find it easier to utilize the services of a licensed O&M Specialist. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! Tanks installed after 1976 are two compartment tanks and both compartments will need to be pumped out. View your Septic System Information Online | Clark County Protect your system from damage. Plant trees and shrubs away from your septic tank and drainfield to keep roots from growing into your septic system. Septic systems treat wastewater when homes and buildings are not connected to public sewer systems. Install flow restrictors on all or select faucets. The next step required to maintain your system is to dig up and remove your septic tank lids. A system where there is no record drawing, no access, or if location is difficult to determine, may require a homeowner to hire a licensed O&M Specialist to assist them. Expect to hear from us within 5 days. Total wastewater generated. There are a number of things you can do to check for leaks. 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 . 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. Certifications It is not uncommon for a new septic system to cost $20,000 or more, making it a substantial investment that many homeowners cannot afford on their own, especially when the problems are unexpected. 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. 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. Brush for cleaning grime and grit from tools with hard to reach places, 5 Gallon bucket containing water with a good splash of bleach, Plastic cup for rinsing large tools with the sanitizer. Don't select the large-load cycle if you're washing a small amount of laundry. Many things you do in your yard or on your property can affect the systems function and performance. Some gases found in properly functioning septic systems have different densities. Using gloves will minimize your exposure risk. Online portal submissions On-site Sewage Systems Chapter 246-272A WAC. A homeowner maintaining a pump system should minimize electrical hazards where appropriate. Search for previous service and inspection reports online. 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. Septic systems lacking records are considered "suspected" o r "assumed" and are colored RED on the . Directory Septic Application Turnaround Times Properly built and maintained septic systems have many benefits. RSS Guidance for properties with multiple structures. Departments / Elected . records on any property. Keep water runoff away from your system. Directions. Include the parcel number and street address and we will search our files for the drawings. . Septic Systems | Washington State Department of Health Rinse: Spraying down portions of your septic system may result in exposure to sewage. Care must be taken to properly clean electronic tools such as drills or screw drivers. These gases can sink or rise, displacing oxygen that you need to breathe. Rakes can be used to lift floats and screens. Household chemicals like gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint. As-Built Records | Snohomish County Health Department, WA All other types of systems are required to be inspected at least once every year. Educate property owners to make sure their septic system gets proper maintenance. The best way to determine your system type is to review your septic permit. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. 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. Regardless of the method you use to request this document, you will need to provide the following information: *If your address was once a "route #, box #" please include the roads/streets that the property is located on and by. Your septic system is not a trash can. After reviewing this information and the training videos listed below, homeowners may evaluate their own on-site sewage system (OSS). Many of these products can clog your plumbing and septic system. They include both new construction and repairs to failing systems. During this time when many are staying at home, it is important to keep a careful eye on actions that may affect your sewer or septic system. Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership with specific counties.