Septic Applications, Forms & Resources Browse applications, forms, and resources for septic systems. 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 Wood Stove Rule - Is My Wood Stove Okay to Use? 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 drainfield. Care must be taken to properly clean electronic tools such as drills or screw drivers. Scaling, like on a map, allows you to find things accurately. Directory Septic Application Turnaround Times Local Health Department Your local health agency can help you locate your septic system, provide a list of certified septic pumpers, and if available, certify you to do your own septic system inspections. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. 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. You may get splashed or sprayed with raw sewage. These inspections can identify small issues and fix them before they become big, costly repairs. In these cases, the owner will find it easier to utilize the services of a licensed O&M Specialist. What is a septic system? LISTINGS, System The pump tank will store the effluent until it is conveyed to a drainfield. The pressure can compact the soil and damage pipes. see the Washington State Department of . These materials do not decompose or breakdown easily, if at all. These gases can sink or rise, displacing oxygen that you need to breathe. Food waste from garbage disposals fill the septic tank and can clog the drainfield. It is also wise to keep a record of maintenance on the system. For a typical household, septic tanks are usually pumped every three to five years. . Face shields or goggles are recommended. Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry. A homeowner maintaining a pump system should minimize electrical hazards where appropriate. Combined, these systems treat 154 million gallons of wastewater annually. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. 14350 SE Eastgate Way This does not mean that such a system is illegal or failed; it just means that a homeowner may have trouble conducting the evaluation. Remember, the soil where your drainfield is located, is capable of disposing of only so much liquid. Be sure to: Complete additional routine maintenance that is required for some system types. Health Information Privacy Information 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. 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. After reviewing this information and the training videos listed below, homeowners may evaluate their own on-site sewage system (OSS). Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. There are a number of things you can do to check for leaks. 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. For example, "the property is on 30th Avenue between Spruce and Verbena.". Your groundwater and Puget Sound lakes, rivers, and beaches benefit, too! If heavy rains cause water to sit around your septic system, avoid putting water down your drains. If not, please do not enter anything in this field. 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. It is likely that methane will also be found in your septic system. 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. It is a 40 minute narrated presentation followed by a 20 question quiz on septic system basics. 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. Customer service counter opens at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month. Some household products are advertised as septic safe. Septic tank size. We Issue Septic Permits, Inspect Final Septic Installations, And Investigate Complaints Associated With On-Site Sewage Systems Septic System Failure After completing your inspection and necessary maintenance, you should shower or bathe, even if you dont feel like youve been exposed to sewage. Once these products congeal, they can cause blockages in your system. Sanitize: After thoroughly rinsing the tools, immerse the equipment in a sanitizer solution. Chronic Disease, Communicable Diseases, &Immunizations. 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. . A property owner with a pump system must have additional training to demonstrate competency with pump systems. Keep vehicles, heavy equipment, and livestock off your septic tank, drainfield, and drainfield replacement area. To find out what type of system you have, take a look at your propertys as built records. Environmental Health Contact numbers: Shelton: 360-427-9670, Ext. You can hire a septic professional to do the inspection or, if your local health department allows it, you can do the inspection yourself. SepticSmart EPA offers advice on proper septic care and brochures and factsheets for homeowners. If you put a lot of water down the drain (from inefficient or leaky toilets, washers, showerheads, and sink faucets), the tank can't settle completely and you may need to pump more often. See Ecology's. Real estate professionals need to inform both the buyer and seller of this requirement. If your washing machine has load settings, make sure you select the proper load size. Directions. 400 Belfair: 360-275-4467, Ext. The lids on the tank are circular, 20"-24" in diameter and 5'-5 ' apart. Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, or any moist towelettes. Most household wastes, such as harsh chemicals, paints, and oils can be disposed of at your Patient information should not be disclosed to the answering service. Phone: : 360-385-9444. Online portal submissions 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 . Environmental Health records (including on-site sewage records) are available online. NOTE:Before 1975, permits were not required by law. Household chemicals like gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint. Subtract the smaller number from the larger; the difference is the amount of water you used since the previous time you read the meter. 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. A person should never, for any reason, enter the confines of a septic system, especially tanks. outlet baffle, and 3) distribution box (if present) within 30 days of inspection. There are many different types of systems. Treatment component (if applicable) Distribution system. Never mix sanitizers! We recommend searching by the 12-digit tax parcel number. Water coming from roof drains, driveways or other surfaces should be directed away from your septic system. Stay . Let it cool, harden, and then throw it away in the trash. Some tanks have smaller lids on each end of the tank to allow for inspection of inlet and outlet baffles. Eliminate or limit the use of a garbage disposal. Routine pumping can prevent expensive failures such as a clogged drainfield or sewage backing up into the home. 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. At a minimum, wash your hands using soap and hot water. Keeping drains free from blockage ensures that surface water is being moved properly around your septic system. 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. 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. A septic system is a huge property investment, so maintaining the one youve got is cheaper than replacing the entire system. Your septic system is not a trash can. OSS records 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 . Everything you put down your drain or into the toilet will end up in your septic system. Please note this is the number of our answering service, and you will receive a call back from Public Health. In these cases, it may be increasingly difficult to maintain your septic system without a significant amount of effort. View your operations and maintenance report on onlineRMEOn Site Septic formsReport a public health concern, 2023 Clark County Washington 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 [email protected]. There is one for gravity systems and a different form for pump/pressure systems: Your form must be completed in its entirety. . Protective clothing should be worn whenever you maintain your septic system. Then, they will submit a report to Public Health about the status of your system. These areas provide a transmission corridor for viruses and bacteria to enter the body. Are you a robot? WA 98368. 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. Thurston County also performs this service for a fee. 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. There are many different types of systems. Navigate to the Clark County PropertyInformation Center. 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. All other types of systems are required to be inspected at least once every year. Feminine hygiene products such as tampons or pads. 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. 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. There are many different types of systems. Pouring toxins down your drain can kill these organisms and harm your septic system. Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain. During the 2020-2022 Project, we are sampling water quality, performing visual surveys, and providing free technical assistance and rebates. 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. 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. Install flow restrictors on all or select faucets. Expect to hear from us within 5 days. Contact us at [email protected] (253) 649-1925. Clean these tools in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. In the past there were no standards for septic systems and permits were not required. Maintaining your septic system will save you money as well as help maintain or improve surface and groundwater quality in Skagit County. Learn how to obtain sewage permit information. 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. Customer service counter opens at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month. Remove the equipment and tools from the soap and water mixture. 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. Proper decontamination of equipment is an important task that will minimize your risk of becoming ill. Fully immerse the tools and equipment in the solution as much as you can, let stand for 3 minutes or longer. Use approximately 1 cups of bleach per gallon of water (www.osha.gov) Other products, including peroxide sanitizers are effective too. Septic systems lacking records are considered "suspected" o r "assumed" and are colored RED on the . As of Sept. 1, the Regional On-Site Sewage System Loan Program has expanded state-wide, adding 17 counties to this successful program. Financial assistance 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. Directing surface water away from your tanks and drainfield will help your drainfield function as well as possible. Save your money from septic tank additives. A typical conventional gravity system will not have any mechanical devices to convey water or material; gravity will do all of the required work. Keep water runoff away from your system. Remove gross contamination from your equipment. The scale should be described on your as-built. 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. Get the latest on local COVID-19 trends, news and helpful resources from Chelan-Douglas Health District, weekly in your inbox. As-builts are drawings that oftentimes are drawn to scale or otherwise help describe the location of your septic system. Work with septic system professionals to approve system design,location and installation. Protecting your face, eyes, and mouth will minimize your risk of illness. Minor septic system issues can turn into big costly problems. An O&M Specialist is going to inspect operational components such as a flow test, a drawdown to verify that timer settings are correct, and a pressure test if applicable. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! 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. 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. Educate property owners to make sure their septic system gets proper maintenance. Some plumbing (like toilets) can leak so slowly that it is difficult to hear or see signs of a leak. If you cannot locate your drainfield, please contact public health or a certified O&M provider for help finding your drainfield. Do-It-Yourself Septic System Inspection Video. 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. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Learn the basics of septic system design, maintenance, and dos and donts to keep your septic system working well as long as possible. Garbage disposals are frequently installed in new homes. If youd like a reply, please provide an email address. 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. Faucets and toilets should be free of any leakage. Craft3's Clean Water Loans - Craft3 offers financing for replacement of septic systems in many areas of Washington. While they may not have a negative effect on your system, they do fill your septic system with wastes that require removal through pumping. The rule of thumb for planting is to use only shallow-rooted plants such as grasses. 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. 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. 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. Household Hazardous Waste Facility: 14104 Ovenell Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Larger tools may require the use of a brush and a small rinse cup to completely clean areas that cannot be immersed in the bucket. Chelan-Douglas Health District200 Valley Mall ParkwayEast Wenatchee, WA 98802, Hours9AM - 5PM | Monday - Thursday9AM - 12PM | Friday, After HoursTo report an urgent public health concern call:(509) 886-6499. Save you money and extend the life of your system. Don't wait until you have a problem. 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). Environmental Health Services Every drip, drop, sprinkle, or spray of water that goes down a shower, sink, toilet, or drain will end up being processed by your septic system. Green grass or depressions in your yard may be indications of where your tank is located. (Not compatible with Internet Explorer.) Most tanks are covered by 12 to 18" of soil. Birth & Death Certificates, Food Worker Cards, Public Records Request, Report a Complaint & Fees. Missing information, photographs, etc. Approved OSS site design applications submitted online since May 2019 are also available. Hygienic practices mentioned here will help you protect yourself. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more about water conservation and water recycling. *: Regional On-Site Sewage System Loan Program, Copyright Washington State Department of Ecology. Protect your system from damage. 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. For example, a scale of 1 = 20 means that every inch on the paper is equal to 20 feet in your yard. Using gloves will minimize your exposure risk. Public Records; Smoke-Free Housing Information; View. Landscape your system properly. Well-functioning and properly maintained septic systems can effectively treat household wastewater for many years. It has been partially treated but still contains disease-causing bacteria and other pollutants. While trouble-shooting, water can be used to simulate normal water flow through the septic system. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! Directions. ), all septic system parts should be vented thoroughly. Please allow up to five business days for a response. The environmentalists investigate complaints of septic system failures that contribute to land pollution. 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. 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. This system is called Pump to Gravity Distribution. Were you able to find what you were looking for today? Public Records Requests The descriptions below may also help you determine your system type. State law (Chapter 246-272A-0270) requires that homeowners inspect and maintain their septic systems to ensure it is functioning properly. Health Programs, Healthy Communities, WIC, Nurse/Family Partnership. 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. If you have a water meter on your property, you can easily figure out how much water you and your family are using. For information on failing septic systems, please see our Septic Failure Brochure. 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. However, it can take up to 60 days to fulfill your request. Electrical connections should need very little maintenance if your pump controls and alarms are functioning as designed. In addition, the dirt used to cover the tank will settle over time, creating a shallow depression. 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,. . Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. 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. Privacy Policy Septic Applications in 3 Easy Steps. . Soil over your system should be slightly mounded to help surface water runoff. A properly functioning septic system helps remove these pollutants so well water and nearby surface water doesn't get contaminated. Some gases found in properly functioning septic systems have different densities. Tools can be used to further minimize your exposure to the sewage contained in your septic system. Directory Septic Application Turnaround Times Septic Permitting The more wastewater you produce, the more wastewater the soil must treat and dispose. Additional water, clean or not, taxes your soils ability to accept all of the liquids landing on the soil. Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership with specific counties. 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. Poor landscaping can cause septic system problems, including premature failure of your septic system. Don't put concrete or plastic over your septic system. Use a brush to clean the hard to reach portions of the tools. Guidelines, Standards, Rules & Regulations . 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. 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. In the plumbing, liquids will carry solid materials out of your dwelling towards downstream components. Gloves are the first line of defense for the average do-it-yourselfer. The best way to determine your system type is to review your septic permit. 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 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. It should be noted that at the time of a property transfer, a licensed O&M Specialist must conduct the inspection. Look for a medication take-back program in your area. As-built drawings can be obtained at the Skagit County Online Septic Search. 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. Links. Proper hygienic practices minimize the risk of exposure to disease causing agents that are found in sewage. The On-site System Maintainer (OSM) will inspect your system components: Septic and pump tanks. The Health District maintains records of existing on-site sewage systems for your convenience. Septic System Records Search; Septic System Maintenance Records Search; Contact. 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 The final treatment occurs in the soil of your drainfield. Prescription medication. Combined, these systems treat 154 million gallons of wastewater annually. Landscaping in and around your septic system is important. When a failing septic system is fixed, the benefits go beyond the home. INFORMATIONAL The longevity of your on-site septic system relies heavily on the way that you care for it. Old homes may not have a septic permit or the as-built may be unreliable. Island County code requires these inspections be completed by an Island County Licensed Maintenance Service Provider. On-site Program staff review and comment on land development projects and activities such as Subdivisions, Special Use Permits, Boundary . For this reason, equipment, clothing, and tools that have been splashed with or immersed in effluent or sewage, must be decontaminated. Oftentimes, when tanks are installed, the dirt used to cover them has a different texture than the surrounding area. 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. 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. If the as-built is accurate, this will allow you to find plumbing stubs, tank lids, distribution boxes, drainfield lines and observation ports.