Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. Materials that are flushed may get caught up on this congealed ooze and the blockage worsens. Keep accurate records of your septic system. The probe can be used to identify the size and orientation of the tank (rectangle vs. round, 4 X 8 foot, etc). Some tanks have smaller lids on each end of the tank to allow for inspection of inlet and outlet baffles. 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. The final treatment occurs in the soil of your drainfield. Install flow restrictors on all or select faucets. The environmentalists investigate complaints of septic system failures that contribute to land pollution. 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. 3020 Rucker AvenueEverett, WA 98201Phone: 425-339-5200. 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. Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, or any moist towelettes. coming into our offices, or calling us at 509.460.4205. 400 . Directory Septic Application Turnaround Times Whitman. Directions. Once the sewage is at the drainfield, it is dispersed via gravity within the drainfield. Exposing these areas to sewage increases a persons risk of contracting an illness. Some household products are advertised as septic safe. Stay . They store, treat and dispose of the things you flush or send down drains. Email Environmental Public Health . 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. Prior to using any electrical device (screwdrivers, drills, flashlights, etc. Options for inspecting your system include: Pump out your septic tank when needed. NOTE:Before 1975, permits were not required by law. Faucets and toilets should be free of any leakage. 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. Never pour oil-based paints, solvents, or large volumes of toxic cleaners down the drain. Discharging effluent onto the ground's surface or into surface and ground water is against Washington State law. For this reason, equipment, clothing, and tools that have been splashed with or immersed in effluent or sewage, must be decontaminated. Protective clothing should be worn whenever you maintain your septic system. This program supports healthy shellfish and fisheries, and helps ensure Washingtonians have access to swimming beaches and recreation.. Missing information, photographs, etc. If your system was installed before 1975, no records may be available. RSS Guidance for properties with multiple structures. 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. Use water-saving devices such as faucet aerators and high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, dishwashers, and washing machines. 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. An inspection report from a homeowner will only be accepted if the report is for that property owners OSS system. If shellfish filter polluted water, they can become unsafe for humans to eat. Make sure the nursery understands you need plants that are shallow rooted and require little watering. Phone: : 360-385-9444. Customer service counter opens at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month. Treatment component (if applicable) Distribution system. Approximately a third of Washington homes use septic systems for wastewater treatment. About us; Jobs - Work@Health; Public health connection blog; BienestarWA blog (espaol) Request public records; Rule Making; Topics A-Z; Ver contenido in Espaol; Browse publications; Contact Us. By reducing and balancing your use, you can extend the life of your drainfield, decrease the possibility of system failure, and avoid costly repairs. & 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 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. 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. The pollutants harm local ecosystems by killing native plants, fish, and shellfish. The longevity of your on-site septic system relies heavily on the way that you care for it. Water coming from roof drains, driveways or other surfaces should be directed away from your septic system. Please note- many other septic systems exist, we are only discussing those allowed to be inspected by homeowners through this course. For a typical household, septic tanks are usually pumped every three to five years. 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. To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. French drains, curtain drains, or shallow diversion ditches can help move water out and around your septic system. Flushing them will increase the need to pump, maintain and repair your system. Rakes can be used to lift floats and screens. Don't select the large-load cycle if you're washing a small amount of laundry. 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. Mason County, WA. 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 . It is imperative that you take all necessary precautions to minimize the risk of becoming sick or injured when conducting your inspection. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. If you cannot remove the lid, contact a licensed O&M Specialist. records on any property. However, it can take up to 60 days to fulfill your request. 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 the as-built is accurate, this will allow you to find plumbing stubs, tank lids, distribution boxes, drainfield lines and observation ports. . I can't find my record drawingrequest Health Department search for a record you can't locate. 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. 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. Thurston County also performs this service for a fee. see the Washington State Department of . Planning Poor landscaping can cause septic system problems, including premature failure of your septic system. All other types of systems are required to be inspected at least once every year. See Ecology's. Combined, these systems treat 154 million gallons of wastewater annually. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. While leaning over the system, be sure to recognize that gases may have accumulated around where you are breathing. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. These cases may require the help of a licensed O&M Specialist. Eliminate or limit the use of a garbage disposal. The Atrium (Environmental Health) 3000 Pacific Ave Olympia, WA 98501 Phone: 360-867-2685 Mailing Address . Remove gross contamination from your equipment. Protects the Environment Malfunctioning septic systems release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that eventually enter streams, rivers, lakes, Puget Sound, and the ocean. No other OSS may be inspected by the homeowner. Brochures, OSS records 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 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. 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. Garbage disposals are frequently installed in new homes. Repair leaky faucets and plumbing fixtures. Septic systems treat wastewater when homes and buildings are not connected to public sewer systems. In the area near your drainfield, arrange products and tools where you can: Septic systems that contain a pump also include an electrical element. 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. Flow restrictors are an easy and effective means to reduce water consumption. Feminine hygiene products such as tampons or pads. Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry. 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. 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. 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. Septic systems produce gases that can be explosive or are capable of displacing oxygen. The drainfield is the final and the most downstream component in your septic system. Maintaining your septic system will save you money as well as help maintain or improve surface and groundwater quality in Skagit County. 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. Anyone can access those records by searching our online records database. Sewage related records are typically marked with an "SWG". Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. A long piece of rebar can be pounded into the ground to look for a tank. Reducing water use will limit the demand you place on your septic system. During the 2020-2022 Project, we are sampling water quality, performing visual surveys, and providing free technical assistance and rebates. Lids are heavy and may be difficult to remove. The scale should be described on your as-built. 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. These gases can be odorless and may deprive you of oxygen. Fax: : 360-379-4487. Keeping drains free from blockage ensures that surface water is being moved properly around your septic system. Directing surface water away from your tanks and drainfield will help your drainfield function as well as possible. Wash: Next, immerse the equipment into the 5-gallon bucket containing a soap and water mixture. The descriptions below may also help you determine your system type. View your operations and maintenance report on onlineRMEOn Site Septic formsReport a public health concern, 2023 Clark County Washington 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. The pump tank will store the effluent until it is conveyed to a drainfield. Are you a robot? The next step required to maintain your system is to dig up and remove your septic tank lids. Certifications A septic contractor installs a new drain field for a homeowner. The completed form must include photos of. The grease laden paper towel can then be disposed of in your trash. Food waste from garbage disposals fill the septic tank and can clog the drainfield. ), all septic system parts should be vented thoroughly. 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. Yakima. The best way to determine your system type is to review your septic permit. Minor septic system issues can turn into big costly problems. Keep water runoff away from your system. There are many different types of systems. In these cases, it may be increasingly difficult to maintain your septic system without a significant amount of effort. Environmental Health Services Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. 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. A Sanitarian of the Day is available Monday through Friday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on a first come, first served basis either by . 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. In these cases, the owner will find it easier to utilize the services of a licensed O&M Specialist. A hose with a nozzle can be used to pre-clean risers, plumbing, and inspection ports. You can hire a septic professional to do the inspection or, if your local health department allows it, you can do the inspection yourself. 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. Grass is the best cover. This system is called Pump to Gravity Distribution. 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. While they may not have a negative effect on your system, they do fill your septic system with wastes that require removal through pumping.