To learn more, check out these 3D septic system models. A hose with a nozzle can be used to pre-clean risers, plumbing, and inspection ports. Rakes, shovels, and poles can be used to reach components that are well below ground or out of reach. Septic tank size. Contact information; Hours & location Check the Washington Department of Labor and Industries to find information about electricians. Environmental Health 415 N. 6th Street Shelton, WA 98584. Forms and photographs may be emailed to EH@co.skagit.wa.us or sent to 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. The Washington State Legislature, Departments of Ecology and Health and many counties have put in significant and consistent work over past two decades to create this program. The bigger the tank, the more capacity it has to handle solids and water, which could allow for more time between pumpings. Work with septic system professionals to approve system design,location and installation. Thurston County also performs this service for a fee. Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. Total wastewater generated. Adam Zimmerman, President and CEO of Craft3. The final treatment occurs in the soil of your drainfield. Keep water runoff away from your system. An inspection report from a homeowner will only be accepted if the report is for that property owners OSS system. Garbage disposals are frequently installed in new homes. Shovels can be used to evaluate the depth of the scum and sludge found in your septic tank. In addition, the dirt used to cover the tank will settle over time, creating a shallow depression. Guidelines, Standards, Rules & Regulations 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 Meet septic system requirements before you do. WA 98368. If youd like us to call you, please provide a phone number. Think of them like a sewage treatment plant, only much smaller. Island County code requires these inspections be completed by an Island County Licensed Maintenance Service Provider. Most tanks are covered by 12 to 18" of soil. What is a septic system? Proper hygienic practices minimize the risk of exposure to disease causing agents that are found in sewage. Landscape your system properly. 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! Use a brush to clean the hard to reach portions of the tools. You may get splashed or sprayed with raw sewage. It is imperative that you take all necessary precautions to minimize the risk of becoming sick or injured when conducting your inspection. Care must be taken to properly clean electronic tools such as drills or screw drivers. The Atrium (Environmental Health) 3000 Pacific Ave Olympia, WA 98501 Phone: 360-867-2685 Mailing Address . The more wastewater you produce, the more wastewater the soil must treat and dispose. 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. Materials that are flushed may get caught up on this congealed ooze and the blockage worsens. Save your money from septic tank additives. We recommend searching by the 12-digit tax parcel number. 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 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. Sewage related records are typically marked with an "SWG". Do-It-Yourself Septic System Inspection Video. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. Clean these tools in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. 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. Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. Please allow up to five business days for a response. To learn more, check out our 3D septic system models. The best way to determine your system type is to review your septic permit. To find out what type of system you have, take a look at your propertys as built records. Be aware that your meter readings may represent all of the water used, including irrigation. 311 Grand Avenue | Bellingham, WA 98225 | Phone: 360-778-5000 [] . 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. 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. Our reply (from PAEGAT25) may go to your email's Spam folder. Get the latest on local COVID-19 trends, news and helpful resources from Chelan-Douglas Health District, weekly in your inbox. On Protective clothing should be worn whenever you maintain your septic system. Many things you do in your yard or on your property can affect the systems function and performance. Regardless of the method you use to request this document, you will need to provide the following information: Physical address of the system or road name, Requestor phone number: (So we can call you if there is a question or need for more information.). Public health licenses these professionals, and maintains a list of System Maintenance Providers. Water from roofs drains, driveways, patios, or sump pumps should be diverted away from the septic tank and drainfield area. *: Which best describes your role in visiting our site today? 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. Find a certified O&M provider. If your system was installed before 1975, no records may be available. In the past there were no standards for septic systems and permits were not required. 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. The first step in maintaining your septic system is obtaining your septic permit. The next step required to maintain your system is to dig up and remove your septic tank lids. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statewide access to this program is a win for homeowners, public health, and clean water. A garbage disposal adds more solid material to your septic system. For more information, click the buttons below. Navigate to the Clark County PropertyInformation Center. Real estate professionals need to inform both the buyer and seller of this requirement. Hygienic practices mentioned here will help you protect yourself. 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. Flow restrictors are an easy and effective means to reduce water consumption. Flow restrictors on showers and other high volume water fixtures can dramatically reduce your consumption of water. Many of these products can clog your plumbing and septic system. Generally, the more people in the home, the more often you need to pump. Planning Educate property owners to make sure their septic system gets proper maintenance. Prior to using any electrical device (screwdrivers, drills, flashlights, etc. The pollutants harm local ecosystems by killing native plants, fish, and shellfish. Your septic system is not capable of handling many wastes that you may generate in your home. Related Links If you do not know where your system is located, you may be able to obtain this information from our offices. Once the sewage is at the drainfield, it is dispersed via gravity within the drainfield. 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. Keep vehicles, heavy equipment, and livestock off your septic tank, drainfield, and drainfield replacement area. Even latex paint waste should be minimized. [Ver este comunicado de prensa en Espaol]. 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). records on any property. However, it can take up to 60 days to fulfill your request. Concrete lids may become cemented into place due to the shrinking and swelling of concrete. . 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. 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. Certifications 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. These cases may require the help of a licensed O&M Specialist. A property owner with a pump system must have additional training to demonstrate competency with pump systems. Search for Records. Don't avoid the signs of septic system failure. 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. Your septic system is not a trash can. Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake. 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. Privacy Policy If your washing machine has load settings, make sure you select the proper load size. A person should never, for any reason, enter the confines of a septic system, especially tanks. 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. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. SEPTIC SYSTEM Subtract the smaller number from the larger; the difference is the amount of water you used since the previous time you read the meter. Lists of certified professionals The rule of thumb for planting is to use only shallow-rooted plants such as grasses. 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. The final step to evaluating your system is completing the appropriate Skagit County Health Department On-Site Sewage System (OSS) Homeowner Report. 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. Using a garbage disposal will increase the amount of solids entering the septic tank, requiring more frequent pumping. Make sure the nursery understands you need plants that are shallow rooted and require little watering. A septic contractor installs a new drain field for a homeowner. Terms of Use While trouble-shooting, water can be used to simulate normal water flow through the 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. The Health District maintains records of existing on-site sewage systems for your convenience. If you hear a hollow thud and the rebar stops going deeper, you may have found a tank. 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. Craft3's Clean Water Loans - Craft3 offers financing for replacement of septic systems in many areas of Washington. Public Records Requests With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. We Issue Septic Permits, Inspect Final Septic Installations, And Investigate Complaints Associated With On-Site Sewage Systems Septic System Failure Save you money and extend the life of your system. see the Washington State Department of . Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. Know where the system is and keep a diagram of its location. Washington State Department of Health. Please note- many other septic systems exist, we are only discussing those allowed to be inspected by homeowners through this course. 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 . Electrical connections are typically buried and run underground from the dwelling to the pump tank. Some tanks have smaller lids on each end of the tank to allow for inspection of inlet and outlet baffles. 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. How would you like to receive your "as-built": Before 1975, permits were not required by law. 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. They include both new construction and repairs to failing systems. 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. . Brochures On-site Program staff review and comment on land development projects and activities such as Subdivisions, Special Use Permits, Boundary . 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. Tools can be used to further minimize your exposure to the sewage contained in your septic system. Your groundwater and Puget Sound lakes, rivers, and beaches benefit, too! Installers, Designers As-built drawings can be obtained at the Skagit County Online Septic Search. If you successfully locate your septic tank and remove its lids, the next step is to locate your drainfield. A failing septic system is usually a costly and urgent situation for homeowners. The lids on the tank are circular, 20"-24" in diameter and 5'-5 ' apart. Drainfield and the reserve areas. The average size of a 1000 gallon tank is 5'x8'. Discharging effluent onto the ground's surface or into surface and ground water is against Washington State law. Well reports also contain information about location, owner name, driller name, and the quantity of water a well produces. 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. This system is called Pump to Gravity Distribution. 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. There are many different types of systems. If shellfish filter polluted water, they can become unsafe for humans to eat. As-builts are drawings that oftentimes are drawn to scale or otherwise help describe the location of your septic system. Environmental Health Contact numbers: Shelton: 360-427-9670, Ext. Septic systems that have a curtain drain installed around them, often are dependent on a functioning curtain drain. Assemble the following items when decontaminating your equipment and tools: Decontamination of equipment or tools should include a four-step process. A typical conventional gravity system will not have any mechanical devices to convey water or material; gravity will do all of the required work. They include both new construction and repairs to failing systems. Protect your system from damage. As-Built Records Northeast Tri County Health District maintains records of permits for completed on-site sewage systems. It is also wise to keep a record of maintenance on the system. Contact us at ehsepticsystems@tpchd.orgor (253) 649-1925. Mailing Address 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA . 400 . Are You Prepared, Severe Weather, Wildfires, Vulnerable Populations & Limited English Proficiency. 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. 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. Don't put concrete or plastic over your septic system. Well-functioning and properly maintained septic systems can effectively treat household wastewater for many years. When a failing septic system is fixed, the benefits go beyond the home. Wood Stove Rule - Is My Wood Stove Okay to Use? If documents are not available please contact Clark County Public Health at (360) 397-8428. Building remodel permits Again, using the garden hose, rinse the soap from the equipment; this will ensure the soaps do not bind with the sanitizer. Covering the eyes, mouth, and any open cuts is particularly important. The pressure can compact the soil and damage pipes. Wash: Next, immerse the equipment into the 5-gallon bucket containing a soap and water mixture. Some gases found in properly functioning septic systems have different densities. Thank you for your patience as we continue to update our new website. . These gases can be odorless and may deprive you of oxygen. Grease is a common household waste product that many people flush or rinse down the drain. 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. NOTICE OF DATA SECURITY INCIDENT (SPANISH). Some are simple, using only a tank and a drain field, and others are more complex, requiring pumps, filters, blowers, UV lights, or specially designed materials. Directions. Many flow restrictors have no mechanical parts while others reduce flow based upon pressure. The grease laden paper towel can then be disposed of in your trash. If you cannot locate your drainfield, please contact public health or a certified O&M provider for help finding your drainfield. Departments / Elected . 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.