During the 2020-2022 Project, we are sampling water quality, performing visual surveys, and providing free technical assistance and rebates. There are a number of things you can do to check for leaks. 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. If the label says, Danger, Warning or Caution bring it to the facility for proper disposal. Protects the Environment Malfunctioning septic systems release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that eventually enter streams, rivers, lakes, Puget Sound, and the ocean. Any exceptions to the above conditions must have written approval of Skagit County Environmental Public Health staff. 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. 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. In these cases, the owner will find it easier to utilize the services of a licensed O&M Specialist. A leaky toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water a day. 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,. Due to differences in elevations, on some occasions, a pump is needed to get the sewage to the drainfield. To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. Oftentimes, when tanks are installed, the dirt used to cover them has a different texture than the surrounding area. After reviewing this information and the training videos listed below, homeowners may evaluate their own on-site sewage system (OSS). Health Information Privacy Information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Combined, these systems treat 154 million gallons of wastewater annually. It is also recommended the first inspection of any OSS be done professionally. . Real estate professionals need to inform both the buyer and seller of this requirement. What is a septic system? 411 N 5th St Shelton WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 . To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. As-built drawings can be obtained at the Skagit County Online Septic Search. Report. Keep vehicles, heavy equipment, and livestock off your septic tank, drainfield, and drainfield replacement area. There are many different types of systems. Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain. Proper care and maintenance of your septic system also occurs around the area where your system is installed. 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. Wash: Next, immerse the equipment into the 5-gallon bucket containing a soap and water mixture. After completing your inspection and necessary maintenance, you should shower or bathe, even if you dont feel like youve been exposed to sewage. To find out what type of system you have, take a look at your propertys as built records. The pressure can compact the soil and damage pipes. NOTE:Before 1975, permits were not required by law. If you have a water meter on your property, you can easily figure out how much water you and your family are using. . These areas provide a transmission corridor for viruses and bacteria to enter the body. . Since 2008, Washington state law and Island County code have required that all septic systems be inspected at the time of property transfer. Curtain drains may require some maintenance themselves. 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. Never pour oil-based paints, solvents, or large volumes of toxic cleaners down the drain. Remove gross contamination from your equipment. The final step to evaluating your system is completing the appropriate Skagit County Health Department On-Site Sewage System (OSS) Homeowner Report. Mailing Address 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA . The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. Please note this is the number of our answering service, and you will receive a call back from Public Health. 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. Sewage related records are typically marked with an "SWG". OSS records. Don't put concrete or plastic over your septic system. Open the lid to your toilet tank and pour enough food coloring into the tank water to color the water. Additional water, clean or not, taxes your soils ability to accept all of the liquids landing on the soil. Complete a septic application using the online permitting portal. NOTICE OF DATA SECURITY INCIDENT (SPANISH). Splashing or spraying can and will occur. If you put a lot of water down the drain (from inefficient or leaky toilets, washers, showerheads, and sink faucets), the tank can't settle completely and you may need to pump more often. Be sure to: Complete additional routine maintenance that is required for some system types. With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. Health Programs, Healthy Communities, WIC, Nurse/Family Partnership. There is one for gravity systems and a different form for pump/pressure systems: Your form must be completed in its entirety. Poor landscaping can cause septic system problems, including premature failure of your septic system. coming into our offices, or calling us at 509.460.4205. They can be purchased at your local hardware store and are fairly easy to install in a typical faucet. Septic Applications, Forms & Resources Browse applications, forms, and resources for septic systems. You can hire a septic professional to do the inspection or, if your local health department allows it, you can do the inspection yourself. Some household products are advertised as septic safe. These gases can be odorless and may deprive you of oxygen. See Department of Health Gravity Septic System inspection guide for a complete checklist and necessary tools. This program supports healthy shellfish and fisheries, and helps ensure Washingtonians have access to swimming beaches and recreation.. 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. Some tanks have smaller lids on each end of the tank to allow for inspection of inlet and outlet baffles. Commercial properties and non-owner occupied properties may also qualify. Harsh chemicals including acids, bases, pesticides, herbicides, oils, paints, and varnishes should never be drained into any fixture that leads to your septic system. It should be noted that at the time of a property transfer, a licensed O&M Specialist must conduct the inspection. 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 . Manager of Healthy People & Communities. It does not mean that you do not have a septic system or that it is failed or illegal. Operation and maintenance of your home septic system begins with your actions inside the home. Expect to hear from us within 5 days. Many older systems may vary in their configuration and construction. Reduce the risk of contaminating groundwater and surface water. There is a 25 gallon / household / month limit, for free! The probe can be used to identify the size and orientation of the tank (rectangle vs. round, 4 X 8 foot, etc). Tank lids come in different shapes and sizes. 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. By reducing and balancing your use, you can extend the life of your drainfield, decrease the possibility of system failure, and avoid costly repairs. 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. Email Environmental Public Health . Providers There are many different types of systems. Healthy septic systems are good for your family, your wallet and the environment. Healthy septic systems are good for your family, your wallet and the environment. Directory Septic Application Turnaround Times Septic Permitting In addition, the dirt used to cover the tank will settle over time, creating a shallow depression. For these reasons, a person should do everything possible to minimize risk of exposure to gas. Routine inspections save time and money in the long run. The longevity of your on-site septic system relies heavily on the way that you care for it. Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership . 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. Many flow restrictors have no mechanical parts while others reduce flow based upon pressure. 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. 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. Please arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. A "how to" guide is available on the online permitting portal when applying for a septic permit. Contact information; Hours & location Protects Your Property Value An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property value and poses a potentially costly legal liability. 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. 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. Thank you for your patience as we continue to update our new website. Once these products congeal, they can cause blockages in your system. We Issue Septic Permits, Inspect Final Septic Installations, And Investigate Complaints Associated With On-Site Sewage Systems Septic System Failure Let it cool, harden, and then throw it away 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. Well reports also contain information about location, owner name, driller name, and the quantity of water a well produces. Chronic Disease, Communicable Diseases, &Immunizations. Search for records on any property. 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. Are you a robot? 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. 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. Birth & Death Certificates, Food Worker Cards, Public Records Request, Report a Complaint & Fees. While trouble-shooting, water can be used to simulate normal water flow through the septic system. The wastewater leaving the septic tank is a liquid called effluent. 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. Stay . As per inspection requirements set forth in SCC 12.05.160 and WAC 246-272A-0270 a homeowner will become eligible to inspect their own septic system only if the following conditions are met: If you meet these conditions, your first step is to take the Septics 101 Class online . 3020 Rucker AvenueEverett, WA 98201Phone: 425-339-5200. Assemble the following items when decontaminating your equipment and tools: Decontamination of equipment or tools should include a four-step process. The Drainfield The drainfield receives septic tank effluent. This will be located downhill from the septic tank outlet baffle (unless there is a pump). Vince McGowan, water quality program manager for Ecology. Failing septic systems can leak into nearby ditches or streams where the sewage eventually ends up on our beaches where we swim, boat, and fish. Electrical connections should need very little maintenance if your pump controls and alarms are functioning as designed. A properly functioning septic system helps remove these pollutants so well water and nearby surface water doesn't get contaminated. Flow restrictors on showers and other high volume water fixtures can dramatically reduce your consumption of water. Use approximately 1 cups of bleach per gallon of water (www.osha.gov) Other products, including peroxide sanitizers are effective too. Grease can also clog the pores in your soil, damaging your drainfield and may lead to system failure. . If you successfully locate your septic tank and remove its lids, the next step is to locate your drainfield. Keep water runoff away from your system. 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. Flow restrictors are an easy and effective means to reduce water consumption. Older septic tanks might not be sized appropriately for your home, especially if your home has been remodeled and is now larger. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. see the Washington State Department of . The scale should be described on your as-built. Website Design by Granicus - Connecting People and Government. It has been partially treated but still contains disease-causing bacteria and other pollutants. Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. 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. 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. French drains, curtain drains, or shallow diversion ditches can help move water out and around your septic system. On-site Program staff review and comment on land development projects and activities such as Subdivisions, Special Use Permits, Boundary . It is also wise to keep a record of maintenance on the system. Building remodel permits Departments / Elected . There are many different types of systems. Most tanks are covered by 12 to 18" of soil. When a failing septic system is fixed, the benefits go beyond the home. The bigger the tank, the more capacity it has to handle solids and water, which could allow for more time between pumpings. Customer service counter opens at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month. 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. Work with septic system professionals to approve system design,location and installation. As-builts are drawings that oftentimes are drawn to scale or otherwise help describe the location of your septic system. Be aware that your meter readings may represent all of the water used, including irrigation. On-site Sewage Systems Chapter 246-272A WAC. 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. 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. For example, a scale of 1 = 20 means that every inch on the paper is equal to 20 feet in your yard. Public Records Requests (Not compatible with Internet Explorer.) 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. 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. LISTINGS, System Whitman. Smaller problems can be fixed during the inspection. Links. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. Brochures, OSS records Educate property owners to make sure their septic system gets proper maintenance. Read the meter once all faucets are off, and then wait a few hours and check the meter again. 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. Feminine hygiene products such as tampons or pads. Flushing them will increase the need to pump, maintain and repair your system. Find a certified O&M provider. [Ver este comunicado de prensa en Espaol]. Simply take the rebar and pound it into the ground with a mallet. Missing information, photographs, etc. Learn how to obtain sewage permit information. Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake. 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. If you do not know where your system is located, you may be able to obtain this information from our offices. If you hear a hollow thud and the rebar stops going deeper, you may have found a tank. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. A septic contractor installs a new drain field for a homeowner. Tools can be used to further minimize your exposure to the sewage contained in your septic system. If youd like a reply, please provide an email address. Four major factors influence how often you need to pump your septic: Practice water conservation. On Certifications Maintenance This does not mean that such a system is illegal or failed; it just means that a homeowner may have trouble conducting the evaluation. See Ecology's. Lids may be square, round or rectangular, and are typically large enough to allow for the tank to be pumped out.