These gases can sink or rise, displacing oxygen that you need to breathe. Protecting your face, eyes, and mouth will minimize your risk of illness. Most household wastes, such as harsh chemicals, paints, and oils can be disposed of at your Links. State law (Chapter 246-272A-0270) requires that homeowners inspect and maintain their septic systems to ensure it is functioning properly. Commercial properties and non-owner occupied properties may also qualify. Directory Septic Application Turnaround Times 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. ), all septic system parts should be vented thoroughly. On-site Sewage Systems Chapter 246-272A WAC. Check your OSS Application status If your system was installed before 1975, no records may be available. 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. . Any exceptions to the above conditions must have written approval of Skagit County Environmental Public Health staff. The more wastewater you produce, the more wastewater the soil must treat and dispose. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! 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. The drainfield is where effluent is discharged into the environment. Using a garbage disposal will increase the amount of solids entering the septic tank, requiring more frequent pumping. Link/share our site at www.kingcounty.gov/asbuilt, If you do not find a record drawing, please send an email to, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, Private wells, plumbing and onsite sewage systems. Think of them like a sewage treatment plant, only much smaller. The final step to evaluating your system is completing the appropriate Skagit County Health Department On-Site Sewage System (OSS) Homeowner Report. 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. As-Built Records Northeast Tri County Health District maintains records of permits for completed on-site sewage systems. 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 . Port Townsend, WA 98368. If the label says, Danger, Warning or Caution bring it to the facility for proper disposal. Protects Your Property Value An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property value and poses a potentially costly legal liability. Providers View your operations and maintenance report on onlineRMEOn Site Septic formsReport a public health concern, 2023 Clark County Washington Exposing these areas to sewage increases a persons risk of contracting an illness. In addition, some garbage disposals are capable of grinding or shredding material to a very fine size. Financial assistance Be sure to: Complete additional routine maintenance that is required for some system types. Certifications Septic tank size. The Drainfield The drainfield receives septic tank effluent. Guidelines, Standards, Rules & Regulations 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. Don't avoid the signs of septic system failure. If documents are not available please contact Clark County Public Health at (360) 397-8428. In addition, the dirt used to cover the tank will settle over time, creating a shallow depression. However, it can take up to 60 days to fulfill your request. Remove the equipment and tools from the soap and water mixture. Save your money from septic tank additives. Public health licenses these professionals, and maintains a list of System Maintenance Providers. The goal is to protect public health, to evaluate all septic systems, to identify and repair failing systems, and make records available to the public. Additives and old cures such as using cabbage, hamburger, yeast, etc., have no beneficial effect on your septic system, but will lead to more frequent pumping of your septic system. . To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. 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. Routine pumping can prevent expensive failures such as a clogged drainfield or sewage backing up into the home. records on any property. Household size. The completed form must include photos of. Failing septic systems can result in sewage backing up in the home or entering local waterways and groundwater supplies posing a public health threat. Rakes, shovels, and poles can be used to reach components that are well below ground or out of reach. Avoid chemical drain openers for a clogged drain. Pressure distribution systems are similar to conventional gravity systems, except that only the effluent should flow out of your septic tank and into your pump tank. Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. If youd like us to call you, please provide a phone number. Operation and maintenance of your home septic system begins with your actions inside the home. Combined, these systems treat 154 million gallons of wastewater annually. Contact us at ehsepticsystems@tpchd.orgor (253) 649-1925. We Issue Septic Permits, Inspect Final Septic Installations, And Investigate Complaints Associated With On-Site Sewage Systems Septic System Failure The lids on the tank are circular, 20"-24" in diameter and 5'-5 ' apart. System Summary 14350 SE Eastgate Way Minor septic system issues can turn into big costly problems. For this reason, equipment, clothing, and tools that have been splashed with or immersed in effluent or sewage, must be decontaminated. 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. Search for Records. Lists of certified professionals Rakes can be used to lift floats and screens. The newest counties to join the program are: 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. Manager of Healthy People & Communities. Smaller problems can be fixed during the inspection. Grass is the best cover. There are a number of older homes where something was installed years ago that makes the wastewater go away but where it goes and how it functions is unknown. Water coming from roof drains, driveways or other surfaces should be directed away from your septic system. Save you money and extend the life of your system. 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. A property owner with a pump system must have additional training to demonstrate competency with pump systems. *: Regional On-Site Sewage System Loan Program, Copyright Washington State Department of Ecology. Shovels can be used to evaluate the depth of the scum and sludge found in your septic tank. . Many older systems may vary in their configuration and construction. Anyone can access those records by searching our online records database. Departments / Elected . It is also recommended the first inspection of any OSS be done professionally. Learn the basics of septic system design, maintenance, and dos and donts to keep your septic system working well as long as possible. Let it cool, harden, and then throw it away in the trash. 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. 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. Food waste from garbage disposals fill the septic tank and can clog the drainfield. This system is called Pump to Gravity Distribution. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. The phone number is 360-385-9444. Before you plant a garden, landscape your yard, construct a building, or install a pool, check on the location of your septic system and replacement area. 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. If heavy rains cause water to sit around your septic system, avoid putting water down your drains. The scale is typically depicted in inches to feet. 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. 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 . A. Total wastewater generated. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. 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. The effluent is distributed via pressure throughout the drainfield by utilizing small diameter pipes with small holes to distribute the liquid throughout the drainfield. Environmental Health Services With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. A septic system evaluation can be performed by a septic system professional. 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. A long piece of rebar can be pounded into the ground to look for a tank. Grass may grow greener in these disturbed areas. Septic tanks are settling chambers that allow time for solids and scum to separate out from wastewater, so clear liquid can safely filter into the drainfield. They include both new construction and repairs to failing systems. 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. Tools can be used to further minimize your exposure to the sewage contained in your septic system. Curtain drains may require some maintenance themselves. Your septic system is not a trash can. [Ver este comunicado de prensa en Espaol]. Maintenance Public Records; Smoke-Free Housing Information; View. Fully immerse the tools and equipment in the solution as much as you can, let stand for 3 minutes or longer. When a failing septic system is fixed, the benefits go beyond the home. The drainfield is the final and the most downstream component in your septic system. . Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. Search for previous service and inspection reports online. Approved OSS site design applications submitted online since May 2019 are also available. A "how to" guide is available on the online permitting portal when applying for a septic permit. Do-It-Yourself Septic System Inspection Video. *: Which best describes your role in visiting our site today? Gloves are the first line of defense for the average do-it-yourselfer. Besides human poop and pee, toilet paper, and soap used for washing, not much else should be going down your drain. Local landscapers or nurseries can help you select plants that are appropriate for the areas around your septic system. . (Not compatible with Internet Explorer.) Contact information; Hours & location Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! On-site Program staff review and comment on land development projects and activities such as Subdivisions, Special Use Permits, Boundary . RSS Guidance for properties with multiple structures. Privacy Policy| Alternate Format Requests | Notice of Nondiscrimination, File Complaint About Provider or Facility, Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Modernization Solution, Healthcare Professional Credentialing Requirements, Veterans, Service Members and their Families, Emergency Information for Specific Groups, For Public Health & Health Care Providers, Public Health System Resources and Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Local Health Jurisdictions and Tribal Directories, Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. A homeowner maintaining a pump system should minimize electrical hazards where appropriate. Address 7102 W Okanogan Pl Kennewick WA 99336 Phone 509.460.4200 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday The Health District maintains records of existing on-site sewage systems for your convenience. Chronic Disease, Communicable Diseases, &Immunizations. . Flushing them will increase the need to pump, maintain and repair your system. Pouring toxins down your drain can kill these organisms and harm your septic system. In the area near your drainfield, arrange products and tools where you can: Septic systems that contain a pump also include an electrical element. Were you able to find what you were looking for today? Missing information, photographs, etc. As-builts are drawings that oftentimes are drawn to scale or otherwise help describe the location of your septic system. Some household products are advertised as septic safe. For more information, click the buttons below. Installers, Designers Septic Applications in 3 Easy Steps. will be sent back to the homeowner for revision. Don't wait until you have a problem. You may find junction boxes, wires, or other electrical connections in the pump chamber. For information on failing septic systems, please see our Septic Failure Brochure. On Your local health agency may have a more stringent inspection requirement. The probe can be used to identify the size and orientation of the tank (rectangle vs. round, 4 X 8 foot, etc). 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. If you cannot locate your drainfield, please contact public health or a certified O&M provider for help finding your drainfield. Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, or any moist towelettes. Protects the Environment Malfunctioning septic systems release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that eventually enter streams, rivers, lakes, Puget Sound, and the ocean. These small bits of ground-up material are often difficult to settle out and these unsettled particles can pass through your septic tank, eventually damaging pumps or clogging the soil beneath your drainfield. Meet septic system requirements before you do. By reducing and balancing your use, you can extend the life of your drainfield, decrease the possibility of system failure, and avoid costly repairs. Site Sewage Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. As of Sept. 1, homeowners with septic systems in every Washington county have access to affordable financing for septic repair and replacement. This requirement went into effect September 1, 2010. 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. Most tanks are covered by 12 to 18" of soil. 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. A person should never, for any reason, enter the confines of a septic system, especially tanks. Then, they will submit a report to Public Health about the status of your system. 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. These areas provide a transmission corridor for viruses and bacteria to enter the body. Customer service counter opens at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month. 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. Terms of Use 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. Volume of solids in wastewater. Using a garbage disposal on a septic system is not recommended. Four major factors influence how often you need to pump your septic: Practice water conservation. Many flow restrictors have no mechanical parts while others reduce flow based upon pressure. Routine inspections save time and money in the long run. & Development Services, Washington State Department of Healths OSS Program, Do-It-Yourself Septic System Inspection Video, Read the Department of Health Gravity Septic System inspection guide, Fill out the checkist form and return it to Public Health, Department of Health Gravity Septic System inspection guide, Pressure/Pump to Gravity On Site Sewage Summary Report, Check the Washington Department of Labor and Industries to find information about electricians, Skagit Complete a septic application using the online permitting portal. Educate property owners to make sure their septic system gets proper maintenance. It has been partially treated but still contains disease-causing bacteria and other pollutants. Whitman. Department of Ecology News Release - Sept. 21, 2021. 411 N 5th St Shelton WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 . The system type will be noted in multiple places within the permit. You may get splashed or sprayed with raw sewage. Greases can congeal anywhere in your plumbing or septic system. Include the parcel number and street address and we will search our files for the drawings. Methane gas is produced by decomposition of organic materials. Search for septic and drinking water records in our online search tool. 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. For example, "the property is on 30th Avenue between Spruce and Verbena.". 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. Assemble the following items when decontaminating your equipment and tools: Decontamination of equipment or tools should include a four-step process. Flow restrictors on showers and other high volume water fixtures can dramatically reduce your consumption of water. One way that you can identify a very slow leak is by shutting all faucets off and keeping them off for a period of time. Proper care and maintenance of your septic system also occurs around the area where your system is installed. Reducing water use will limit the demand you place on your septic system. 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. Olympia, WA 98506-5132 Phone: 360-867-2500 Fax: 360-867-2601 Monday-Friday: 9:00 am-4:00 pm Phone Line Open Daily 8:00am-5:00pm. Simply take the rebar and pound it into the ground with a mallet. Eliminate or limit the use of a garbage disposal. Some are simple, using only a tank and a drainfield. 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. Additional water, clean or not, taxes your soils ability to accept all of the liquids landing on the soil. Lids are heavy and may be difficult to remove. To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. Phone: : 360-385-9444. coming into our offices, or calling us at 509.460.4205. 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. Board of Health Meetings; Fee Schedule; . OSS evaluations must be performed and filed with the public health at least once every three years for all systems consisting solely of a septic tank and gravity drainfield, and annually for all other system types. Drainfield and the reserve areas. Mason County, WA. 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. Remember, the soil where your drainfield is located, is capable of disposing of only so much liquid. Septic systems lacking records are considered "suspected" o r "assumed" and are colored RED on the . Due to differences in elevations, on some occasions, a pump is needed to get the sewage to the drainfield. 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. 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. If not, please do not enter anything in this field. Privacy Policy| Alternate Format Requests | Notice of Nondiscrimination, File Complaint About Provider or Facility, Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Modernization Solution, Healthcare Professional Credentialing Requirements, Veterans, Service Members and their Families, Emergency Information for Specific Groups, For Public Health & Health Care Providers, Public Health System Resources and Services, Asking your local health department if they can inspect your system at a lower cost, Do-It-Yourself Septic System Inspection Video, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Local Health Jurisdictions and Tribal Directories, Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. In these cases, it may be increasingly difficult to maintain your septic system without a significant amount of effort. As of Sept. 1, the Regional On-Site Sewage System Loan Program has expanded state-wide, adding 17 counties to this successful program.