Some are simple, using only a tank and a drainfield. Yakima. The more wastewater you produce, the more wastewater the soil must treat and dispose. A Pressure Distribution system will have all of the following major components, each of which should be thoroughly inspected: plumbing; septic tank(s); pump tank; and a drainfield. Proper hygienic practices minimize the risk of exposure to disease causing agents that are found in sewage. The environmentalists investigate complaints of septic system failures that contribute to land pollution. A homeowner maintaining a pump system should minimize electrical hazards where appropriate. 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. Include the parcel number and street address and we will search our files for the drawings. Our reply (from PAEGAT25) may go to your email's Spam folder. If not, please do not enter anything in this field. Flow restrictors on showers and other high volume water fixtures can dramatically reduce your consumption of water. Wood Stove Rule - Is My Wood Stove Okay to Use? . The bigger the tank, the more capacity it has to handle solids and water, which could allow for more time between pumpings. They include both new construction and repairs to failing systems. 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. 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. 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. With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. Environmental Health records (including on-site sewage records) are available online. 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. 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. 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. Electrical connections are typically buried and run underground from the dwelling to the pump tank. It is up to you to use whatever techniques you feel necessary to adequately protect yourself from exposure to raw sewage, and to seek medical assistance if you are exposed. Smaller problems can be fixed during the inspection. 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 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. French drains, curtain drains, or shallow diversion ditches can help move water out and around your septic system. Household size. . Using a garbage disposal will increase the amount of solids entering the septic tank, requiring more frequent pumping. Records of its size and location may be available at your local health department. Proper maintenance is defined in the code as: Stay . Are You Prepared, Severe Weather, Wildfires, Vulnerable Populations & Limited English Proficiency. Pouring toxins down your drain can kill these organisms and harm your septic system. Repair leaky faucets and plumbing fixtures. If you do not know where your system is located, you may be able to obtain this information from our offices. You can hire a septic professional to do the inspection or, if your local health department allows it, you can do the inspection yourself. 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. The next step required to maintain your system is to dig up and remove your septic tank lids. Using a garbage disposal on a septic system is not recommended. Landscaping in and around your septic system is important. Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. Septic systems that have a curtain drain installed around them, often are dependent on a functioning curtain drain. You may find junction boxes, wires, or other electrical connections in the pump chamber. Everything you put down your drain or into the toilet will end up in your septic system. Operation and maintenance of your home septic system begins with your actions inside the home. WA 98368. Well-functioning and properly maintained septic systems can effectively treat household wastewater for many years. Total wastewater generated. Meet septic system requirements before you do. Patient information should not be disclosed to the answering service. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. Generally, the more people in the home, the more often you need to pump. Building remodel permits Remove gross contamination from your equipment. It To search for septic or drinking water records, you'll need to enter your property ID number or GeoID or parcel number. Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, or any moist towelettes. On-site Program staff review and comment on land development projects and activities such as Subdivisions, Special Use Permits, Boundary . 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. 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 youd like a reply, please provide an email address. 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,. The lids on the tank are circular, 20"-24" in diameter and 5'-5 ' apart. If youd like us to call you, please provide a phone number. Exposing these areas to sewage increases a persons risk of contracting an illness. . 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. The grease laden paper towel can then be disposed of in your trash. 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. 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. However, it can take up to 60 days to fulfill your request. 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. If you hear a hollow thud and the rebar stops going deeper, you may have found a tank. Splashing or spraying can and will occur. 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. 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 . Health Information Privacy Information Face shields or goggles are recommended. Providers These areas provide a transmission corridor for viruses and bacteria to enter the body. Rakes, shovels, and poles can be used to reach components that are well below ground or out of reach. Septic systems lacking records are considered "suspected" o r "assumed" and are colored RED on the . Using gloves will minimize your exposure risk. Water usage is likely the biggest contributor to a failed septic system. As-Built Records Northeast Tri County Health District maintains records of permits for completed on-site sewage systems. The Snohomish County Health Department works to ensure that septic systems are located and installed correctly, and kept in good working condition. In gravity plumbing, liquids will carry solid materials out of your dwelling towards downstream components. 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. Don't wait until you have a problem. Options for inspecting your system include: Pump out your septic tank when needed. . For example, a scale of 1 = 20 means that every inch on the paper is equal to 20 feet in your yard. 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. The completed form must include photos of. Chronic Disease, Communicable Diseases, &Immunizations. Your septic system is not a trash can. Proper care and maintenance of your septic system also occurs around the area where your system is installed. They allow for development in outlying communities, help protect groundwater and waterways, and reduce exposure to untreated sewage. If you cannot remove the lid, contact a licensed O&M Specialist. System Summary After reviewing this information and the training videos listed below, homeowners may evaluate their own on-site sewage system (OSS). Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake. Grass is the best cover. Evaluating, maintaining, or troubleshooting your septic system can expose you to the many pathogens or disease causing organisms found in human waste. 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. The wastewater leaving the septic tank is a liquid called effluent. 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. These gases can be odorless and may deprive you of oxygen. If you have a water meter on your property, you can easily figure out how much water you and your family are using. If documents are not available please contact Clark County Public Health at (360) 397-8428. In these cases, the owner will find it easier to utilize the services of a licensed O&M Specialist. Forms and photographs may be emailed to EH@co.skagit.wa.us or sent to 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Landscape your system properly. Sanitize: After thoroughly rinsing the tools, immerse the equipment in a sanitizer solution. 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. 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. Curtain drains may require some maintenance themselves. 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. Many flow restrictors have no mechanical parts while others reduce flow based upon pressure. see the Washington State Department of . Be sure to: Complete additional routine maintenance that is required for some system types. 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. Whitman. Email Environmental Public Health . Directory Septic Application Turnaround Times Septic Permitting That way, they can perform any required maintenance while on site. records on any property. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! The Drainfield The drainfield receives septic tank effluent. Protecting your face, eyes, and mouth will minimize your risk of illness. State law (Chapter 246-272A-0270) requires that homeowners inspect and maintain their septic systems to ensure it is functioning properly. Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership . Read the meter once all faucets are off, and then wait a few hours and check the meter again. This system is called Pump to Gravity Distribution. Expanding the program statewide was made possible with funding support from the state legislature. Feminine hygiene products such as tampons or pads. Whether you're at the kitchen sink, bathtub, or utility sink: Septic tank additives sold in stores aren't necessary to keep your septic tank working properly and they don't reduce or eliminate the need for routine pumping. Some household products are advertised as septic safe. Never mix sanitizers! Look for a medication take-back program in your area. Water from roofs drains, driveways, patios, or sump pumps should be diverted away from the septic tank and drainfield area. 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. 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. INFORMATIONAL Healthy septic systems are good for your family, your wallet and the environment. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. . 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. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. Financial assistance As of Sept. 1, homeowners with septic systems in every Washington county have access to affordable financing for septic repair and replacement. As-built drawings can be obtained at the Skagit County Online Septic Search. Most household wastes, such as harsh chemicals, paints, and oils can be disposed of at your They protect your eyes and mouth from the liquids in your septic system. Flushing them will increase the need to pump, maintain and repair your system. Website Design by Granicus - Connecting People and Government. Plant trees and shrubs away from your septic tank and drainfield to keep roots from growing into your septic system. Keep vehicles, heavy equipment, and livestock off your septic tank, drainfield, and drainfield replacement area. The On-site System Maintainer (OSM) will inspect your system components: Septic and pump tanks. 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. A property owner with a pump system must have additional training to demonstrate competency with pump systems. Interested homeowners can apply for a Clean Water Loan by visiting the Craft3 website. 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). Sewage related records are typically marked with an "SWG". 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. 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. Use a brush to clean the hard to reach portions of the tools. 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. Island County code requires these inspections be completed by an Island County Licensed Maintenance Service Provider. Others are more complex, requiring pumps, filters, or specially designed materials. 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.