Old homes may not have a septic permit or the as-built may be unreliable. & 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 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 For example, a scale of 1 = 20 means that every inch on the paper is equal to 20 feet in your yard. Pumpers may charge you extra to locate and/or dig up the lids to the septic tank so that they are able to pump the septic tank. However, it can take up to 60 days to fulfill your request. On-site Sewage Systems Chapter 246-272A WAC. Garbage disposals are frequently installed in new homes. 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. There are many different types of systems. *: Regional On-Site Sewage System Loan Program, Copyright Washington State Department of Ecology. Think of them like a sewage treatment plant, only much smaller. 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. 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. Onsite Sewage (Septic) Systems Real Estate Fact Sheet 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 . The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. . 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. Navigate to the Clark County PropertyInformation Center. You may get splashed or sprayed with raw sewage. Grass may grow greener in these disturbed areas. How to take care of septic systems 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. 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. WA 98368. Household bleach is a very effective sanitizer for killing bacteria and viruses. 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. The drainfield is where effluent is discharged into the environment. 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. In the plumbing, liquids will carry solid materials out of your dwelling towards downstream components. It should be noted that at the time of a property transfer, a licensed O&M Specialist must conduct the inspection. You must be able to observe the inlet and outlet of your septic tank. Many older systems may vary in their configuration and construction. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. Craft3's Clean Water Loans - Craft3 offers financing for replacement of septic systems in many areas of Washington. 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. Tanks installed after 1976 are two compartment tanks and both compartments will need to be pumped out. When a failing septic system is fixed, the benefits go beyond the home. Commercial properties and non-owner occupied properties may also qualify. Your septic system is not capable of handling many wastes that you may generate in your home. If you do not know where your system is located, you may be able to obtain this information from our offices. 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. Prescription medication. Installers, Designers Generally, the more people in the home, the more often you need to pump. They include both new construction and repairs to failing systems. 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. Remember, the soil where your drainfield is located, is capable of disposing of only so much liquid. Building remodel permits 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. Food waste from garbage disposals fill the septic tank and can clog the drainfield. Repair leaky faucets and plumbing fixtures. We Issue Septic Permits, Inspect Final Septic Installations, And Investigate Complaints Associated With On-Site Sewage Systems Septic System Failure Some plumbing (like toilets) can leak so slowly that it is difficult to hear or see signs of a leak. Don't wait until you have a problem. Electrical connections are typically buried and run underground from the dwelling to the pump tank. Protects Your Property Value An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property value and poses a potentially costly legal liability. Drainfield and the reserve areas. Then, they will submit a report to Public Health about the status of your system. Four major factors influence how often you need to pump your septic: Practice water conservation. 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. Volume of solids in wastewater. These gases can sink or rise, displacing oxygen that you need to breathe. Splashing or spraying can and will occur. Learn how to obtain sewage permit information. This will be located downhill from the septic tank outlet baffle (unless there is a pump). Mason County, WA. A failing septic system is usually a costly and urgent situation for homeowners. Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. Local landscapers or nurseries can help you select plants that are appropriate for the areas around your septic system. With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. Landscape your system properly. 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. 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. If there is a slow leak, the food coloring will show up in the toilet bowl. The Atrium (Environmental Health) 3000 Pacific Ave Olympia, WA 98501 Phone: 360-867-2685 Mailing Address . The pollutants harm local ecosystems by killing native plants, fish, and shellfish. If your water meter has a counter, all you need to do is write the number down, along with the time and date and a few days later, look at the meter again. With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. Food Safety, Land Development, Environmental Hazards, Water Recreation & Public Schools . Curtain drains may require some maintenance themselves. Meet septic system requirements before you do. The scale should be described on your as-built. Vince McGowan, water quality program manager for Ecology. For example, "the property is on 30th Avenue between Spruce and Verbena.". Directions. There is one for gravity systems and a different form for pump/pressure systems: Your form must be completed in its entirety. Septic systems that have a curtain drain installed around them, often are dependent on a functioning curtain drain. Combined, these systems treat 154 million gallons of wastewater annually. The On-site System Maintainer (OSM) will inspect your system components: Septic and pump tanks. The completed form must include photos of. Do-It-Yourself Septic System Inspection Video. If your system was installed before 1975, no records may be available. If shellfish filter polluted water, they can become unsafe for humans to eat. Using a garbage disposal will increase the amount of solids entering the septic tank, requiring more frequent pumping. Report. Birth & Death Certificates, Food Worker Cards, Public Records Request, Report a Complaint & Fees. 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. 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 bigger the tank, the more capacity it has to handle solids and water, which could allow for more time between pumpings. For a typical household, septic tanks are usually pumped every three to five years. Statewide access to this program is a win for homeowners, public health, and clean water. To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. . Combined, these systems treat 154 million gallons of wastewater annually. Don't avoid the signs of septic system failure. 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. 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 contractor installs a new drain field for a homeowner. The Snohomish County Health Department works to ensure that septic systems are located and installed correctly, and kept in good working condition. Maintenance 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. Properly operating and maintaining your system is required by State and local regulations to ensure that our wastewater is not creating a source of pollution to local waterways or causing disease from contact with contaminated water. Due to differences in elevations, on some occasions, a pump is needed to get the sewage to the drainfield. Greases can congeal anywhere in your plumbing or septic system. Use a brush to clean the hard to reach portions of the tools. 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. Remove gross contamination from your equipment. In these cases, it may be increasingly difficult to maintain your septic system without a significant amount of effort. If documents are not available please contact Clark County Public Health at (360) 397-8428. 411 N 5th St Shelton WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 . Septic Systems (Onsite Sewage Systems) - co.thurston.wa.us They protect your eyes and mouth from the liquids in your septic system. Install flow restrictors on all or select faucets. Septics 101 Clinics - Skagit County, Washington - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Most tanks are covered by 12 to 18" of soil. To search for septic or drinking water records, you'll need to enter your property ID number or GeoID or parcel number. French drains, curtain drains, or shallow diversion ditches can help move water out and around your septic system. Septic Systems | Washington State Department of Health Washington County: Septic Systems - The Official Website of the State Search for Records. 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. 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. 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. 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 Septic Maintenance & Repair | Snohomish County Health Department, WA Some tanks have smaller lids on each end of the tank to allow for inspection of inlet and outlet baffles. Oftentimes, when tanks are installed, the dirt used to cover them has a different texture than the surrounding area. Properly built and maintained septic systems have many benefits. Water from roofs drains, driveways, patios, or sump pumps should be diverted away from the septic tank and drainfield area. Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership with specific counties. Privacy Policy 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. 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. 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. They store, treat and dispose of the things you flush or send down drains. . SEPTIC SYSTEM PDF The Septic Tank Early Warning Levels Inside Your Septic Tank and soil Remove the equipment and tools from the soap and water mixture. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! Please note this is the number of our answering service, and you will receive a call back from Public Health. A typical conventional gravity system will not have any mechanical devices to convey water or material; gravity will do all of the required work. 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. 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. Public Records; Smoke-Free Housing Information; View. Find a certified O&M provider. A garbage disposal adds more solid material to your septic system. Proper decontamination of equipment is an important task that will minimize your risk of becoming ill. Directions. Grease can also clog the pores in your soil, damaging your drainfield and may lead to system failure. This requirement went into effect September 1, 2010. Septic Systems (Onsite Sewage Systems) - co.thurston.wa.us If the label says, Danger, Warning or Caution bring it to the facility for proper disposal. 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. While they may not have a negative effect on your system, they do fill your septic system with wastes that require removal through pumping. Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain. [Ver este comunicado de prensa en Espaol]. Missing information, photographs, etc. Real estate professionals need to inform both the buyer and seller of this requirement. After completing your inspection and necessary maintenance, you should shower or bathe, even if you dont feel like youve been exposed to sewage. Proper maintenance is defined in the code as: The Drainfield The drainfield receives septic tank effluent. Environmental Health 415 N. 6th Street Shelton, WA 98584. Public health licenses these professionals, and maintains a list of System Maintenance Providers. Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. Your groundwater and Puget Sound lakes, rivers, and beaches benefit, too!
