Environmental Health Contact numbers: Shelton: 360-427-9670, Ext. Once these products congeal, they can cause blockages in your system. 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. 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. While trouble-shooting, water can be used to simulate normal water flow through the septic system. The grease laden paper towel can then be disposed of in your trash. Then, they will submit a report to Public Health about the status of your system. Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, or any moist towelettes. If at any time you do not feel comfortable or confident in your ability to evaluate and maintain your septic system without the risk of becoming ill or injured, you should hire a licensed O&M Specialist to perform the work for you. . Due to differences in elevations, on some occasions, a pump is needed to get the sewage to the drainfield. It provides Washingtonians access to affordable financing for the repair and replacement of septic systems. 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. Washington State Department of Health. 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. Make sure the nursery understands you need plants that are shallow rooted and require little watering. Routine inspections save time and money in the long run. Others are more complex, requiring pumps, filters, or specially designed materials. Protecting your face, eyes, and mouth will minimize your risk of illness. Fortunately, help is now available in every Washington county. Septic System and Individual Well Forms and Applications Rinse: Start by rinsing the equipment and tools with water from your garden hose. The goal is to protect public health, to evaluate all septic systems, to identify and repair failing systems, and make records available to the public. 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. 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. Anyone can access those records by searching our online records database. Plant trees and shrubs away from your septic tank and drainfield to keep roots from growing into your septic system. 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. Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry. Concrete lids may become cemented into place due to the shrinking and swelling of concrete. Grass is the best cover. A leaky toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water a day. Expanding the program statewide was made possible with funding support from the state legislature. 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. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. 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. Household chemicals like gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint. A garbage disposal adds more solid material to your septic system. Septic | Snohomish County Health Department, WA & 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 With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. . Properly built and maintained septic systems have many benefits. RSS Guidance for properties with multiple structures. Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership with specific counties. Any exceptions to the above conditions must have written approval of Skagit County Environmental Public Health staff. LISTINGS, System Faucets and toilets should be free of any leakage. Customer service counter opens at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month. 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). View your operations and maintenance report on onlineRMEOn Site Septic formsReport a public health concern, 2023 Clark County Washington 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. Flushing them will increase the need to pump, maintain and repair your system. Links. INFORMATIONAL 400 . Proper decontamination of equipment is an important task that will minimize your risk of becoming ill. If you have a water meter on your property, you can easily figure out how much water you and your family are using. This will be located downhill from the septic tank outlet baffle (unless there is a pump). 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. Never pour oil-based paints, solvents, or large volumes of toxic cleaners down the drain. The final treatment occurs in the soil of your drainfield. Generally, the more people in the home, the more often you need to pump. It has been partially treated but still contains disease-causing bacteria and other pollutants. If youd like a reply, please provide an email address. Public Health continues to work with Vashon-Maury Island residents to document improvements to water quality, find sources of excessive bacteria, and, where possible, eliminate these sources. Approximately a third of Washington homes use septic systems for wastewater treatment. Public Health and Social Services | Thurston County Reduce the risk of people getting sick from untreated sewage. Well reports also contain information about location, owner name, driller name, and the quantity of water a well produces. As-Built Records Northeast Tri County Health District maintains records of permits for completed on-site sewage systems. Total wastewater generated. Birth & Death Certificates, Food Worker Cards, Public Records Request, Report a Complaint & Fees. Additional water, clean or not, taxes your soils ability to accept all of the liquids landing on the soil. Meet septic system requirements before you do. 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. Reducing water use will limit the demand you place on your septic system. 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. Paper Application. Guidelines, Standards, Rules & Regulations What is a septic system? In addition, some garbage disposals are capable of grinding or shredding material to a very fine size. 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. Patient information should not be disclosed to the answering service. Look for a medication take-back program in your area. Open the lid to your toilet tank and pour enough food coloring into the tank water to color the water. The more wastewater you produce, the more wastewater the soil must treat and dispose. 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. Septic Systems | Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Septic | Northeast Tri County Health District, WA Forms and photographs may be emailed to EH@co.skagit.wa.us or sent to 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. 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. 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 . Covering the eyes, mouth, and any open cuts is particularly important. As-builts are drawings that oftentimes are drawn to scale or otherwise help describe the location of your septic system. Providers Drainfield and the reserve areas. Yakima. If shellfish filter polluted water, they can become unsafe for humans to eat. This process may require the use of a stiff bristled brush to remove all contaminants. Please allow up to five business days for a response. Craft3's Clean Water Loans - Craft3 offers financing for replacement of septic systems in many areas of Washington. If your system was installed before 1975, no records may be available. Flow restrictors are an easy and effective means to reduce water consumption. Directions. Even latex paint waste should be minimized. SepticSmart EPA offers advice on proper septic care and brochures and factsheets for homeowners. Volume of solids in wastewater. Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake. Sept. 21 Septic Loans - Washington State Department of Ecology Keep vehicles, heavy equipment, and livestock off your septic tank, drainfield, and drainfield replacement area. Inspecting your septic system - King County - King County, Washington Missing information, photographs, etc. Search for your OSS records - King County - King County, Washington 411 N 5th St Shelton WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 . A Marine Recovery Area (MRA) was established to protect especially sensitive marine waters from pollution from poorly functioning or failing on-site sewage systems (OSS). It is likely that methane will also be found in your septic system. Terms of Use Septic Systems | Jefferson County, WA Environmental Health records (including on-site sewage records) are available online. The lids on the tank are circular, 20"-24" in diameter and 5'-5 ' apart. 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. 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. Probe suspected tank locations first, rather than digging up the soil only to find nothing. When a failing septic system is fixed, the benefits go beyond the home. 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. 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 Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Protects Your Property Value An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property value and poses a potentially costly legal liability. Septic systems that have a curtain drain installed around them, often are dependent on a functioning curtain drain. Adam Zimmerman, President and CEO of Craft3. In addition, the dirt used to cover the tank will settle over time, creating a shallow depression. If you prefer, download and print a paper application (PDF), and mail to: Washington County Government Center Public Health . Search for records on any property. You may get splashed or sprayed with raw sewage. Landscaping in and around your septic system is important. Public Records; Smoke-Free Housing Information; View. Many older systems may vary in their configuration and construction. Do-It-Yourself Septic System Inspection Video. There is one for gravity systems and a different form for pump/pressure systems: Your form must be completed in its entirety. This is a cheap and easy way of assessing your toilet for leaks, which may otherwise be difficult to detect visually. Keep water runoff away from your system. 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. The environmentalists investigate complaints of septic system failures that contribute to land pollution. 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. outlet baffle, and 3) distribution box (if present) within 30 days of inspection. Some gases found in properly functioning septic systems have different densities. [Ver este comunicado de prensa en Espaol]. Oftentimes, when tanks are installed, the dirt used to cover them has a different texture than the surrounding area. How would you like to receive your "as-built": Before 1975, permits were not required by law. Face shields or goggles are recommended. These records will be helpful if problems occur, and will be valuable to the next owner of your home. . Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) | Washington County, MN 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. These gases can be odorless and may deprive you of oxygen. Customer service counter opens at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month. coming into our offices, or calling us at 509.460.4205. On Search for septic and drinking water records in our online search tool. Food Safety, Land Development, Environmental Hazards, Water Recreation & Public Schools . . View your Septic System Information Online | Clark County For example, "the property is on 30th Avenue between Spruce and Verbena.". 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. If your system was installed before 1975 and no records are available, here are some tips to help you locate your system: Communicable Disease Prevention & Control, HIV Case Management and Prevention Services, Children & Youth with Special Healthcare Needs, School Inspection Guidelines and Resources, Community Health Needs Assessment & Improvement Plan, Sr. Wash: Next, immerse the equipment into the 5-gallon bucket containing a soap and water mixture. Lids are heavy and may be difficult to remove. 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. 311 Grand Avenue | Bellingham, WA 98225 | Phone: 360-778-5000 [] . 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. Fax: : 360-379-4487. Thank you for your patience as we continue to update our new website. Most household wastes, such as harsh chemicals, paints, and oils can be disposed of at your Please note this is the number of our answering service, and you will receive a call back from Public Health. Thurston County also performs this service for a fee. Applications, permits and fees, Buying and selling properties 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. . The pollutants harm local ecosystems by killing native plants, fish, and shellfish. Maintaining your septic system will save you money as well as help maintain or improve surface and groundwater quality in Skagit County. 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. Vince McGowan, water quality program manager for Ecology. It should be noted that at the time of a property transfer, a licensed O&M Specialist must conduct the inspection. Your septic system is not a trash can. 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. The system type will be noted in multiple places within the permit. Some are simple, using only a tank and a drainfield. 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. While leaning over the system, be sure to recognize that gases may have accumulated around where you are breathing. Building remodel permits Site Sewage Learn more about water conservation and water recycling. Feminine hygiene products such as tampons or pads. To find out what type of system you have, take a look at your propertys as built records. Protective clothing should be worn whenever you maintain your septic system. A typical conventional gravity system will not have any mechanical devices to convey water or material; gravity will do all of the required work. 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. Septic Maintenance & Repair | Snohomish County Health Department, WA Health Programs, Healthy Communities, WIC, Nurse/Family Partnership. . Remove gross contamination from your equipment. Poor landscaping can cause septic system problems, including premature failure of your septic system. Please note- many other septic systems exist, we are only discussing those allowed to be inspected by homeowners through this course. A septic contractor installs a new drain field for a homeowner. A "how to" guide is available on the online permitting portal when applying for a septic permit. Stay . Complete a septic application using the online permitting portal. Sewage related records are typically marked with an "SWG". Pouring toxins down your drain can kill these organisms and harm your septic system. Methane gas is produced by decomposition of organic materials. 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. Commercial properties and non-owner occupied properties may also qualify. 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. 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. Greases can congeal anywhere in your plumbing or septic system. The pump tank will store the effluent until it is conveyed to a drainfield. Landscape your system properly. To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. There are a number of things you can do to check for leaks. Directory Septic Application Turnaround Times Septic Permitting This program has continued with funding from the Washington State Department of Health to perform public education and outreach activities, offer rebates to encourage septic system inspections, and improve tracking and reporting capabilities. On-site Sewage Systems Chapter 246-272A WAC. Household Hazardous Waste Facility: 14104 Ovenell Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 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 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. 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. Training of the homeowner by a Skagit County certified O&M provider or attendance at a Washington State On-Site Sewage Association (WOSSA) or similarly approved training class on pumps is required. In the past there were no standards for septic systems and permits were not required. To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. 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. This program supports healthy shellfish and fisheries, and helps ensure Washingtonians have access to swimming beaches and recreation.. Septic Systems | Washington State Department of Health Septic tank size. Septic System Records Search; Septic System Maintenance Records Search; Contact. Think of them like a sewage treatment plant, only much smaller. OSS records. Old homes may not have a septic permit or the as-built may be unreliable. Many flow restrictors have no mechanical parts while others reduce flow based upon pressure. Household size. A property owner with a pump system must have additional training to demonstrate competency with pump systems. If heavy rains cause water to sit around your septic system, avoid putting water down your drains. A person should never, for any reason, enter the confines of a septic system, especially tanks. 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. 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. Once the sewage is at the drainfield, it is dispersed via gravity within the drainfield. If your washing machine has load settings, make sure you select the proper load size. 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. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! NOTICE OF DATA SECURITY INCIDENT (SPANISH). Let it cool, harden, and then throw it away in the trash. 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. Once you submit your quiz and contact information, we will have a record of you completing Septics 101. Approved OSS site design applications submitted online since May 2019 are also available. will be sent back to the homeowner for revision. Environmental Health Services Chronic Disease, Communicable Diseases, &Immunizations. 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. Protects the Environment Malfunctioning septic systems release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that eventually enter streams, rivers, lakes, Puget Sound, and the ocean. 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. Don't avoid the signs of septic system failure. Directions. 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. A homeowner maintaining a pump system should minimize electrical hazards where appropriate. NOTE:Before 1975, permits were not required by law. Never mix sanitizers! 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. Address 7102 W Okanogan Pl Kennewick WA 99336 Phone 509.460.4200 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday The Health District maintains records of existing on-site sewage systems for your convenience. Property Owners | Clark County 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. Related Links 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. Septic systems lacking records are considered "suspected" o r "assumed" and are colored RED on the . The Atrium (Environmental Health) 3000 Pacific Ave Olympia, WA 98501 Phone: 360-867-2685 Mailing Address . A septic system evaluation can be performed by a septic system professional. 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 By reducing and balancing your use, you can extend the life of your drainfield, decrease the possibility of system failure, and avoid costly repairs. Cat litter, pet poop, condoms, tampons, sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, paper towels, facial tissue, hand wipes, hair, cigarette butts, and coffee grounds are only some of the items people flush into their septic systems, but shouldnt.