Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake. Feminine hygiene products such as tampons or pads. Protect your system from damage. During the 2020-2022 Project, we are sampling water quality, performing visual surveys, and providing free technical assistance and rebates. SEPTIC SYSTEM On-site Program staff review and comment on land development projects and activities such as Subdivisions, Special Use Permits, Boundary . 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. Guidelines, Standards, Rules & Regulations If your system was installed before 1975, no records may be available. In these cases, the owner will find it easier to utilize the services of a licensed O&M Specialist. Assemble the following items when decontaminating your equipment and tools: Decontamination of equipment or tools should include a four-step process. No other OSS may be inspected by the homeowner. Septic systems that have a curtain drain installed around them, often are dependent on a functioning curtain drain. There is a 25 gallon / household / month limit, for free! Phone: : 360-385-9444. Contact us at ehsepticsystems@tpchd.orgor (253) 649-1925. Healthy septic systems are good for your family, your wallet and the environment. Directions. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Lids will likely be located near both ends of the tank. 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. 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 . See Ecology's. 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. A failing septic system is usually a costly and urgent situation for homeowners. It is also wise to keep a record of maintenance on the system. Simply take the rebar and pound it into the ground with a mallet. Washington State Department of Health. Keep accurate records of your septic system. 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. Thank you for your patience as we continue to update our new website. 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. Mason County, WA. You must be able to observe the inlet and outlet of your septic tank. Reduce the risk of people getting sick from untreated sewage. Navigate to the Clark County PropertyInformation Center. If you successfully locate your septic tank and remove its lids, the next step is to locate your drainfield. Public Records Requests 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. Public health licenses these professionals, and maintains a list of System Maintenance Providers. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. 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. Let it cool, harden, and then throw it away in the trash. Splashing or spraying can and will occur. By reducing and balancing your use, you can extend the life of your drainfield, decrease the possibility of system failure, and avoid costly repairs. Let the equipment soak as needed. see the Washington State Department of . Planning Know where the system is and keep a diagram of its location. 3020 Rucker AvenueEverett, WA 98201Phone: 425-339-5200. 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. While leaning over the system, be sure to recognize that gases may have accumulated around where you are breathing. Concrete lids may become cemented into place due to the shrinking and swelling of concrete. Remove the equipment and tools from the soap and water mixture. Water coming from roof drains, driveways or other surfaces should be directed away from your septic system. 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. Green grass or depressions in your yard may be indications of where your tank is located. Our reply (from PAEGAT25) may go to your email's Spam folder. Please arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. 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. For this reason, equipment, clothing, and tools that have been splashed with or immersed in effluent or sewage, must be decontaminated. Providers View your operations and maintenance report on onlineRMEOn Site Septic formsReport a public health concern, 2023 Clark County Washington Lids may be square, round or rectangular, and are typically large enough to allow for the tank to be pumped out. Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. 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. [Ver este comunicado de prensa en Espaol]. Soil over your system should be slightly mounded to help surface water runoff. Fully immerse the tools and equipment in the solution as much as you can, let stand for 3 minutes or longer. Certifications 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). Again, using the garden hose, rinse the soap from the equipment; this will ensure the soaps do not bind with the sanitizer. 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. If you prefer, download and print a paper application (PDF), and mail to: Washington County Government Center Public Health . Grease is a common household waste product that many people flush or rinse down the drain. Environmental Health Contact numbers: Shelton: 360-427-9670, Ext. ), all septic system parts should be vented thoroughly. Statewide access to this program is a win for homeowners, public health, and clean water. 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. 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 . State law (Chapter 246-272A-0270) requires that homeowners inspect and maintain their septic systems to ensure it is functioning properly. Your septic system is not capable of handling many wastes that you may generate in your home. Be sure to: Complete additional routine maintenance that is required for some system types. Properly built and maintained septic systems have many benefits. How to take care of septic systems Your septic permit will include an as-built or record drawing; this is a drawing that shows where your septic system is located and what parts or components make up your septic system. 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. Directory Septic Application Turnaround Times Septic Permitting The lids on the tank are circular, 20"-24" in diameter and 5'-5 ' apart. If not, please do not enter anything in this field. French drains, curtain drains, or shallow diversion ditches can help move water out and around your septic system. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Use water-saving devices such as faucet aerators and high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, dishwashers, and washing machines. Read the meter once all faucets are off, and then wait a few hours and check the meter again. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. Shovels can be used to evaluate the depth of the scum and sludge found in your septic tank. The descriptions below may also help you determine your system type. WA 98368. If the as-built is accurate, this will allow you to find plumbing stubs, tank lids, distribution boxes, drainfield lines and observation ports. Altering the biological balance may discourage the natural proliferation and growth of bacteria found in your system and will not allow for normal and productive decomposition of the wastes you put into your septic system. For these reasons, a person should do everything possible to minimize risk of exposure to gas. If your washing machine has load settings, make sure you select the proper load size. OSS records. Thank you for your patience as we continue to update our new website. If your system was installed before 1975, no records may be available. Septic systems treat wastewater when homes and buildings are not connected to public sewer systems. After completing your inspection and necessary maintenance, you should shower or bathe, even if you dont feel like youve been exposed to sewage. Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership with specific counties. Public Records; Smoke-Free Housing Information; View. Search for previous service and inspection reports online. With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. If you cannot locate your drainfield, please contact public health or a certified O&M provider for help finding your drainfield. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. Stay . Household chemicals like gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint. NOTICE OF DATA SECURITY INCIDENT (SPANISH). The longevity of your on-site septic system relies heavily on the way that you care for it. Your groundwater and Puget Sound lakes, rivers, and beaches benefit, too! . As-builts are drawings that oftentimes are drawn to scale or otherwise help describe the location of your septic system. Approved OSS site design applications submitted online since May 2019 are also available. The Washington state well report (log) viewer, our most popular online resource, allows you to search for and view detailed records of the construction and subsurface characteristics of individual wells. Additional water, clean or not, taxes your soils ability to accept all of the liquids landing on the soil. Are You Prepared, Severe Weather, Wildfires, Vulnerable Populations & Limited English Proficiency. If you hear a hollow thud and the rebar stops going deeper, you may have found a tank. Directing surface water away from your tanks and drainfield will help your drainfield function as well as possible. If the meter has moved, yet you have used no water during that time, you may have a very slow leak. While they may not have a negative effect on your system, they do fill your septic system with wastes that require removal through pumping. 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. Grease can also clog the pores in your soil, damaging your drainfield and may lead to system failure. System Summary 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. Adam Zimmerman, President and CEO of Craft3. Terms of Use 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. When a failing septic system is fixed, the benefits go beyond the home. The probe can be used to identify the size and orientation of the tank (rectangle vs. round, 4 X 8 foot, etc). After reviewing this information and the training videos listed below, homeowners may evaluate their own on-site sewage system (OSS). Oftentimes, when tanks are installed, the dirt used to cover them has a different texture than the surrounding area. Meet septic system requirements before you do. Vince McGowan, water quality program manager for Ecology. 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. 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. 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. . Greases can congeal anywhere in your plumbing or septic system. See Department of Health Gravity Septic System inspection guide for a complete checklist and necessary tools. There are many different types of systems. Once these products congeal, they can cause blockages in your system. Online portal submissions Craft3's Clean Water Loans - Craft3 offers financing for replacement of septic systems in many areas of Washington. 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. 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. On-site Sewage Systems Chapter 246-272A WAC. It does not mean that you do not have a septic system or that it is failed or illegal. Generally, the more people in the home, the more often you need to pump. Directions. Treatment component (if applicable) Distribution system. Real estate professionals need to inform both the buyer and seller of this requirement. We recommend searching by the 12-digit tax parcel number. Building remodel permits 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. In the plumbing, liquids will carry solid materials out of your dwelling towards downstream components. Customer service counter opens at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month. Work with septic system professionals to approve system design,location and installation. The effluent is distributed via pressure throughout the drainfield by utilizing small diameter pipes with small holes to distribute the liquid throughout the drainfield. You can hire a septic professional to do the inspection or, if your local health department allows it, you can do the inspection yourself. 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. Food Safety, Land Development, Environmental Hazards, Water Recreation & Public Schools . Evaluating, maintaining, or troubleshooting your septic system can expose you to the many pathogens or disease causing organisms found in human waste. Use approximately 1 cups of bleach per gallon of water (www.osha.gov) Other products, including peroxide sanitizers are effective too. Interested homeowners can apply for a Clean Water Loan by visiting the Craft3 website. 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. Please note this is the number of our answering service, and you will receive a call back from Public Health. . 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. Learn the basics of septic system design, maintenance, and dos and donts to keep your septic system working well as long as possible. 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 .