Septic systems lacking records are considered "suspected" o r "assumed" and are colored RED on the . Concrete lids may become cemented into place due to the shrinking and swelling of concrete. Brush for cleaning grime and grit from tools with hard to reach places, 5 Gallon bucket containing water with a good splash of bleach, Plastic cup for rinsing large tools with the sanitizer. 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. Protecting your face, eyes, and mouth will minimize your risk of illness. Some tanks have smaller lids on each end of the tank to allow for inspection of inlet and outlet baffles. In addition, some garbage disposals are capable of grinding or shredding material to a very fine size. The wastewater leaving the septic tank is a liquid called effluent. Keep water runoff away from your system. On 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. Old homes may not have a septic permit or the as-built may be unreliable. I can't find my record drawingrequest Health Department search for a record you can't locate. If heavy rains cause water to sit around your septic system, avoid putting water down your drains. It is likely that methane will also be found in your septic system. Learn how to obtain sewage permit information. Mailing Address 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368. The term on-site sewage system is used in the state and county code, on permit application forms, and by industry professionals to refer to different types of septic systems. They store, treat and dispose of the things you flush or send down drains. Water usage is likely the biggest contributor to a failed septic system. Rakes can be used to lift floats and screens. Your groundwater and Puget Sound lakes, rivers, and beaches benefit, too! If you have a water meter on your property, you can easily figure out how much water you and your family are using. Expect to hear from us within 5 days. There is one for gravity systems and a different form for pump/pressure systems: Your form must be completed in its entirety. Your as-built or record drawing should describe the location of your drainfield. If you successfully locate your septic tank and remove its lids, the next step is to locate your drainfield. Maintenance Green grass or depressions in your yard may be indications of where your tank is located. Household size. Grass is the best cover. Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. Tank lids come in different shapes and sizes. 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. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. Please note- many other septic systems exist, we are only discussing those allowed to be inspected by homeowners through this course. Electrical connections are typically buried and run underground from the dwelling to the pump tank. 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. Wash: Next, immerse the equipment into the 5-gallon bucket containing a soap and water mixture. They can be purchased at your local hardware store and are fairly easy to install in a typical faucet. The drainfield is where effluent is discharged into the environment. A homeowner maintaining a pump system should minimize electrical hazards where appropriate. 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. Guidelines, Standards, Rules & Regulations Providers Even latex paint waste should be minimized. Let the equipment soak as needed. Adam Zimmerman, President and CEO of Craft3. 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. 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. Statewide access to this program is a win for homeowners, public health, and clean water. & 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 . SepticSmart EPA offers advice on proper septic care and brochures and factsheets for homeowners. 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. As-built drawings can be obtained at the Skagit County Online Septic Search. The Health District maintains records of existing on-site sewage systems for your convenience. 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. Don't put concrete or plastic over your septic system. After completing your inspection and necessary maintenance, you should shower or bathe, even if you dont feel like youve been exposed to sewage. OSS records. . 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. 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. If your system was installed before 1975, no records may be available. The drainfield is the final and the most downstream component in your septic system. 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. Once you submit your quiz and contact information, we will have a record of you completing Septics 101. Search for previous service and inspection reports online. While trouble-shooting, water can be used to simulate normal water flow through the septic system. If you prefer, download and print a paper application (PDF), and mail to: Washington County Government Center Public Health . Learn more about water conservation and water recycling. Healthy septic systems are good for your family, your wallet and the environment. Thurston County also performs this service for a fee. Water coming from roof drains, driveways or other surfaces should be directed away from your septic system. As-builts are drawings that oftentimes are drawn to scale or otherwise help describe the location of your septic system. Previously, Craft3 offered Clean Water Loans on a more-limited basis in partnership . The Atrium (Environmental Health) 3000 Pacific Ave Olympia, WA 98501 Phone: 360-867-2685 Mailing Address . 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. If you cannot locate your drainfield, please contact public health or a certified O&M provider for help finding your drainfield. Don't wait until you have a problem. Departments / Elected . 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. ), all septic system parts should be vented thoroughly. By reducing and balancing your use, you can extend the life of your drainfield, decrease the possibility of system failure, and avoid costly repairs. 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. You may get splashed or sprayed with raw sewage. Any exceptions to the above conditions must have written approval of Skagit County Environmental Public Health staff. Landscape your system properly. Routine inspections save time and money in the long run. The grease laden paper towel can then be disposed of in your trash. 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 plumbing (like toilets) can leak so slowly that it is difficult to hear or see signs of a leak. Due to differences in elevations, on some occasions, a pump is needed to get the sewage to the drainfield. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! Use approximately 1 cups of bleach per gallon of water (www.osha.gov) Other products, including peroxide sanitizers are effective too. see the Washington State Department of . If the label says, Danger, Warning or Caution bring it to the facility for proper disposal. A long piece of rebar can be pounded into the ground to look for a tank. This requirement went into effect September 1, 2010. Directing surface water away from your tanks and drainfield will help your drainfield function as well as possible. Materials that are flushed may get caught up on this congealed ooze and the blockage worsens. 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. Septic systems use a combination of nature and time-tested technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry. French drains, curtain drains, or shallow diversion ditches can help move water out and around your septic system. 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. Grease can also clog the pores in your soil, damaging your drainfield and may lead to system failure. A septic contractor installs a new drain field for a homeowner. Septic systems produce gases that can be explosive or are capable of displacing oxygen. Approved OSS site design applications submitted online since May 2019 are also available. 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. 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. 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. Every drip, drop, sprinkle, or spray of water that goes down a shower, sink, toilet, or drain will end up being processed by your septic system. Please arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. The bigger the tank, the more capacity it has to handle solids and water, which could allow for more time between pumpings. Assemble the following items when decontaminating your equipment and tools: Decontamination of equipment or tools should include a four-step process. As of Sept. 1, homeowners with septic systems in every Washington county have access to affordable financing for septic repair and replacement. Records of its size and location may be available at your local health department. Search for records on any property. In these cases, it may be increasingly difficult to maintain your septic system without a significant amount of effort. Mason County, WA. It does not mean that you do not have a septic system or that it is failed or illegal. Plant trees and shrubs away from your septic tank and drainfield to keep roots from growing into your septic system. Tools can be used to further minimize your exposure to the sewage contained in your septic system. NOTE:Before 1975, permits were not required by law. If youd like us to call you, please provide a phone number. Save your money from septic tank additives. Remember, the soil where your drainfield is located, is capable of disposing of only so much liquid. Remove gross contamination from your equipment. 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. Operation and maintenance of your home septic system begins with your actions inside the home. The phone number is 360-385-9444. Faucets and toilets should be free of any leakage. 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. Failing septic systems can result in sewage backing up in the home or entering local waterways and groundwater supplies posing a public health threat. . They allow for development in outlying communities, help protect groundwater and waterways, and reduce exposure to untreated sewage. 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. 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. Poor landscaping can cause septic system problems, including premature failure of your septic system. Open the lid to your toilet tank and pour enough food coloring into the tank water to color the water. 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. Covering the eyes, mouth, and any open cuts is particularly important. Most household wastes, such as harsh chemicals, paints, and oils can be disposed of at your Many older systems may vary in their configuration and construction. With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. Anyone can access those records by searching our online records database. 400 . For example, a scale of 1 = 20 means that every inch on the paper is equal to 20 feet in your yard. Search for your record drawing using the following steps: Some common reasons that record drawings are not available online: If you do not find a record drawing, please send an email to as-built.help@kingcounty.gov. 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. Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. To search for septic or drinking water records, you'll need to enter your property ID number or GeoID or parcel number. Building remodel permits Public Records Requests Protects the Environment Malfunctioning septic systems release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that eventually enter streams, rivers, lakes, Puget Sound, and the ocean. Food Safety, Land Development, Environmental Hazards, Water Recreation & Public Schools . 14350 SE Eastgate Way will be sent back to the homeowner for revision. Work with septic system professionals to approve system design,location and installation. The more wastewater you produce, the more wastewater the soil must treat and dispose. . In addition, the dirt used to cover the tank will settle over time, creating a shallow depression. 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. Lids may be square, round or rectangular, and are typically large enough to allow for the tank to be pumped out. Search for septic and drinking water records in our online search tool. Whitman. Clean these tools in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. It has been partially treated but still contains disease-causing bacteria and other pollutants. No other OSS may be inspected by the homeowner. 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. If not, please do not enter anything in this field. This process may require the use of a stiff bristled brush to remove all contaminants. 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. A system where there is no record drawing, no access, or if location is difficult to determine, may require a homeowner to hire a licensed O&M Specialist to assist them. Since 2008, Washington state law and Island County code have required that all septic systems be inspected at the time of property transfer. 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. With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. During the 2020-2022 Project, we are sampling water quality, performing visual surveys, and providing free technical assistance and rebates. Pouring toxins down your drain can kill these organisms and harm your septic system. 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. The pressure can compact the soil and damage pipes. INFORMATIONAL Links. Board of Health Meetings; Fee Schedule; . Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake. Please allow up to five business days for a response. Directions. Contact us at ehsepticsystems@tpchd.orgor (253) 649-1925. 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. Check your OSS Application status Proper decontamination of equipment is an important task that will minimize your risk of becoming ill. 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. 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. Oftentimes, when tanks are installed, the dirt used to cover them has a different texture than the surrounding area. It 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. 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. A septic system is a huge property investment, so maintaining the one youve got is cheaper than replacing the entire system. In these cases, the owner will find it easier to utilize the services of a licensed O&M Specialist. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. 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. Properly built and maintained septic systems have many benefits. 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,. Forms and photographs may be emailed to EH@co.skagit.wa.us or sent to 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. 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.