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. To learn more, check out our 3D septic system models. 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. 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 . How to take care of septic systems SepticSmart EPA offers advice on proper septic care and brochures and factsheets for homeowners. Washington State Department of Health. You can check for leaks in your toilet too. The pump tank will store the effluent until it is conveyed to a drainfield. Interested homeowners can apply for a Clean Water Loan by visiting the Craft3 website. . A homeowner maintaining a pump system should minimize electrical hazards where appropriate. Proper care and maintenance of your septic system also occurs around the area where your system is installed. Subtract the smaller number from the larger; the difference is the amount of water you used since the previous time you read the meter. To learn more, check out these 3D septic system models. The chemicals can alter the natural biological conditions found in your septic system. Healthy septic systems are good for your family, your wallet and the environment. Lids are heavy and may be difficult to remove. Due to differences in elevations, on some occasions, a pump is needed to get the sewage to the drainfield. 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. 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 . Customer service counter opens at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month. 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. A long piece of rebar can be pounded into the ground to look for a tank. 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. Protective clothing should be worn whenever you maintain your septic system. As-Built Records Northeast Tri County Health District maintains records of permits for completed on-site sewage systems. 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. In these cases, the owner will find it easier to utilize the services of a licensed O&M Specialist. Others are more complex, requiring pumps, filters, or specially designed materials. System Summary At a minimum, wash your hands using soap and hot water. 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. The drainfield is the final and the most downstream component in your septic system. What you flush, how much you flush, and how much water you run down the drain will affect the function and performance of your septic system. LISTINGS, System These areas provide a transmission corridor for viruses and bacteria to enter the body. 3020 Rucker AvenueEverett, WA 98201Phone: 425-339-5200. That way, they can perform any required maintenance while on site. Landscape your system properly. If there is a slow leak, the food coloring will show up in the toilet bowl. These gases can be odorless and may deprive you of oxygen. 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. . Missing information, photographs, etc. A person should never, for any reason, enter the confines of a septic system, especially tanks. If heavy rains cause water to sit around your septic system, avoid putting water down your drains. Rakes can be used to lift floats and screens. The lids on the tank are circular, 20"-24" in diameter and 5'-5 ' apart. The phone number is 360-385-9444. Be aware that your meter readings may represent all of the water used, including irrigation. Once the sewage is at the drainfield, it is dispersed via gravity within the drainfield. For homeowners who conduct their own inspections, it is a good idea to hire a professional to conduct a septic system inspection at the time of system pumping. Poor landscaping can cause septic system problems, including premature failure of your septic system. 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. This will be located downhill from the septic tank outlet baffle (unless there is a pump). Let the equipment soak as needed. Hygienic practices mentioned here will help you protect yourself. The grease laden paper towel can then be disposed of in your trash. 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. Online portal submissions Know where the system is and keep a diagram of its location. For more information, click the buttons below. . 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. 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. [Ver este comunicado de prensa en Espaol]. Let it cool, harden, and then throw it away in the trash. Reducing water use will limit the demand you place on your septic system. View your operations and maintenance report on onlineRMEOn Site Septic formsReport a public health concern, 2023 Clark County Washington Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pouring toxins down your drain can kill these organisms and harm your septic system. They allow for development in outlying communities, help protect groundwater and waterways, and reduce exposure to untreated sewage. The bigger the tank, the more capacity it has to handle solids and water, which could allow for more time between pumpings. Remove gross contamination from your equipment. You can hire a septic professional to do the inspection or, if your local health department allows it, you can do the inspection yourself. 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. 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 . Keeping drains free from blockage ensures that surface water is being moved properly around your septic system. outlet baffle, and 3) distribution box (if present) within 30 days of inspection. Minor septic system issues can turn into big costly problems. Washington Permits and Inspections Directory Advertising Search WA Public Records WA Marriage Records WA Divorce Records WA Criminal Records WA Death Records WA Birth Records WA Background Search Search Records By Name Find Permits and Inspections Resources in Washington Return to Top Return to Top Return to Top Return to Top Return to Top On-site Program staff review and comment on land development projects and activities such as Subdivisions, Special Use Permits, Boundary . Protect your system from damage. OSS records For this reason, equipment, clothing, and tools that have been splashed with or immersed in effluent or sewage, must be decontaminated. Please allow up to five business days for a response. . Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership with specific counties. Fortunately, help is now available in every Washington county. In the area near your drainfield, arrange products and tools where you can: Septic systems that contain a pump also include an electrical element. Island County code requires these inspections be completed by an Island County Licensed Maintenance Service Provider. Once you submit your quiz and contact information, we will have a record of you completing Septics 101. 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. 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. Discharging effluent onto the ground's surface or into surface and ground water is against Washington State law. Maintaining your septic system will save you money as well as help maintain or improve surface and groundwater quality in Skagit County. They include both new construction and repairs to failing systems. Green grass or depressions in your yard may be indications of where your tank is located. Mailing Address 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368. Keep water runoff away from your system. Four major factors influence how often you need to pump your septic: Practice water conservation. Search for your record drawing using the following steps: Some common reasons that record drawings are not available online: If you do not find a record drawing, please send an email to as-built.help@kingcounty.gov. Prior to using any electrical device (screwdrivers, drills, flashlights, etc. Records of its size and location may be available at your local health department. While exposure to raw sewage is readily evident, exposure to residues from contaminated equipment or clothing may not be apparent, yet can still result in illness. The Health District maintains records of existing on-site sewage systems for your convenience. You may get splashed or sprayed with raw sewage. 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 cannot locate your drainfield, please contact public health or a certified O&M provider for help finding your drainfield. The descriptions below may also help you determine your system type. The system type will be noted in multiple places within the permit. 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. 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. Health Programs, Healthy Communities, WIC, Nurse/Family Partnership. 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. While leaning over the system, be sure to recognize that gases may have accumulated around where you are breathing. For information on failing septic systems, please see our Septic Failure Brochure. Face shields or goggles are recommended. Site Sewage French drains, curtain drains, or shallow diversion ditches can help move water out and around your septic system. Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. Wood Stove Rule - Is My Wood Stove Okay to Use? Covering the eyes, mouth, and any open cuts is particularly important. It Many things you do in your yard or on your property can affect the systems function and performance. If your system was installed before 1975, no records may be available. It provides Washingtonians access to affordable financing for the repair and replacement of septic systems. Were you able to find what you were looking for today? Most household wastes, such as harsh chemicals, paints, and oils can be disposed of at your Directions. Water from roofs drains, driveways, patios, or sump pumps should be diverted away from the septic tank and drainfield area. If youd like us to call you, please provide a phone number. The average size of a 1000 gallon tank is 5'x8'. Keep accurate records of your septic system. It is likely that methane will also be found in your septic system. Tools can be used to further minimize your exposure to the sewage contained in your septic system. Real estate professionals need to inform both the buyer and seller of this requirement. Applications, permits and fees, Buying and selling properties Brochures, OSS records Privacy Policy Links. They can be purchased at your local hardware store and are fairly easy to install in a typical faucet. Vince McGowan, water quality program manager for Ecology. These inspections can identify small issues and fix them before they become big, costly repairs. Open the lid to your toilet tank and pour enough food coloring into the tank water to color the water. Then, they will submit a report to Public Health about the status of your system. Septic systems produce gases that can be explosive or are capable of displacing oxygen. Include the parcel number and street address and we will search our files for the drawings. Fully immerse the tools and equipment in the solution as much as you can, let stand for 3 minutes or longer. Some household products are advertised as septic safe. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. 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. Fixing minor problems and paying maintenance fees of a few hundred dollars every few years is a bargain compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a malfunctioning system, which can cost thousands of dollars. For example, a scale of 1 = 20 means that every inch on the paper is equal to 20 feet in your yard. Email Environmental Public Health . Using a garbage disposal will increase the amount of solids entering the septic tank, requiring more frequent pumping. As of Sept. 1, the Regional On-Site Sewage System Loan Program has expanded state-wide, adding 17 counties to this successful program. Soil over your system should be slightly mounded to help surface water runoff. Search for previous service and inspection reports online. If still warm and in liquid form, the grease can be poured off easily into a water-tight container such as a coffee can and disposed of in the trash. 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. Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain. Properly built and maintained septic systems have many benefits. 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. Some are simple, using only a tank and a drainfield. 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. 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. Your septic system is not a trash can. If you cannot remove the lid, contact a licensed O&M Specialist. These gases can sink or rise, displacing oxygen that you need to breathe. INFORMATIONAL Only the liquid sewage without solids called effluent should flow out of your septic tank; this clear effluent will be conveyed by gravity to the drainfield. Household chemicals like gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint. Well reports also contain information about location, owner name, driller name, and the quantity of water a well produces. If not, please do not enter anything in this field. 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. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. It is imperative that you take all necessary precautions to minimize the risk of becoming sick or injured when conducting your inspection. Electrical connections should need very little maintenance if your pump controls and alarms are functioning as designed. 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. It is a 40 minute narrated presentation followed by a 20 question quiz on septic system basics. Environmental Health Contact numbers: Shelton: 360-427-9670, Ext. A septic contractor installs a new drain field for a homeowner. The rule of thumb for planting is to use only shallow-rooted plants such as grasses. 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. Materials that are flushed may get caught up on this congealed ooze and the blockage worsens. The On-site Sewage Program is responsible for evaluating site conditions for onsite septic systems, characteristics of soil in test pits, setting permitting conditions, and issuing permits for septic systems. Rinse: Start by rinsing the equipment and tools with water from your garden hose. Flow restrictors on showers and other high volume water fixtures can dramatically reduce your consumption of water. 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).