Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. Mailing Address 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368. Scaling, like on a map, allows you to find things accurately. 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. We recommend searching by the 12-digit tax parcel number. Vince McGowan, water quality program manager for Ecology. see the Washington State Department of . When a failing septic system is fixed, the benefits go beyond the home. Brochures, OSS records Proper decontamination of equipment is an important task that will minimize your risk of becoming ill. Interested homeowners can apply for a Clean Water Loan by visiting the Craft3 website. All other types of systems are required to be inspected at least once every year. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. Household size. coming into our offices, or calling us at 509.460.4205. Search for previous service and inspection reports online. Keep vehicles, heavy equipment, and livestock off your septic tank, drainfield, and drainfield replacement area. Household bleach is a very effective sanitizer for killing bacteria and viruses. Paper Application. Financial assistance Brochures Remove gross contamination from your equipment. 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. 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. Additional water, clean or not, taxes your soils ability to accept all of the liquids landing on the soil. & 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 As-built drawings can be obtained at the Skagit County Online Septic Search. After completing your inspection and necessary maintenance, you should shower or bathe, even if you dont feel like youve been exposed to sewage. 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. Thank you for your patience as we continue to update our new website. . 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 . Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry. For information on failing septic systems, please see our Septic Failure Brochure. outlet baffle, and 3) distribution box (if present) within 30 days of inspection. OSS records A properly functioning septic system will allow for the proper venting of these gases, either through a dwellings plumbing system or through vent pipes located near your septic system. Maintaining your septic system will save you money as well as help maintain or improve surface and groundwater quality in Skagit County. Probe suspected tank locations first, rather than digging up the soil only to find nothing. The environmentalists investigate complaints of septic system failures that contribute to land pollution. It is also recommended the first inspection of any OSS be done professionally. For more information, click the buttons below. Building remodel permits The system type will be noted in multiple places within the permit. Anyone can access those records by searching our online records database. 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. To search for septic or drinking water records, you'll need to enter your property ID number or GeoID or parcel number. It is also wise to keep a record of maintenance on the 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. In addition, the dirt used to cover the tank will settle over time, creating a shallow depression. 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. Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake. 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. Septic tank size. 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. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! Soil over your system should be slightly mounded to help surface water runoff. 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. See Department of Health Gravity Septic System inspection guide for a complete checklist and necessary tools. Eliminate or limit the use of a garbage disposal. Due to differences in elevations, on some occasions, a pump is needed to get the sewage to the drainfield. Even latex paint waste should be minimized. 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. 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. There are a number of older homes where something was installed years ago that makes the wastewater go away but where it goes and how it functions is unknown. In gravity plumbing, liquids will carry solid materials out of your dwelling towards downstream components. By reducing and balancing your use, you can extend the life of your drainfield, decrease the possibility of system failure, and avoid costly repairs. Flow restrictors are an easy and effective means to reduce water consumption. If you have been watering lawns and other landscaping on your property, your readings may not accurately reflect all of the water processed by your septic system. Health Information Privacy Information 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. Educate property owners to make sure their septic system gets proper maintenance. Routine inspections save time and money in the long run. Your septic system contains a collection of living organisms that digest and treat household waste. Septic Resources The Purpose Of On-Site Septic System (OSS) Program Is To Ensure Proper Treatment And Disposal Of Wastewater To Protect Our Drinking Water And The Environment. . Install flow restrictors on all or select faucets. 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. Terms of Use If the as-built is accurate, this will allow you to find plumbing stubs, tank lids, distribution boxes, drainfield lines and observation ports. An inspection report from a homeowner will only be accepted if the report is for that property owners OSS system. If your washing machine has load settings, make sure you select the proper load size. 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. Learn how to obtain sewage permit information. Smaller problems can be fixed during the inspection. Don't select the large-load cycle if you're washing a small amount of laundry. How to take care of septic systems Think of them like a sewage treatment plant, only much smaller. After reviewing this information and the training videos listed below, homeowners may evaluate their own on-site sewage system (OSS). To learn more, check out our 3D septic system models. Evaluating, maintaining, or troubleshooting your septic system can expose you to the many pathogens or disease causing organisms found in human waste. As-builts are drawings that oftentimes are drawn to scale or otherwise help describe the location of your septic system. . Oftentimes, when tanks are installed, the dirt used to cover them has a different texture than the surrounding area. 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. Household Hazardous Waste Facility: 14104 Ovenell Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 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. Simply take the rebar and pound it into the ground with a mallet. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! For example, "the property is on 30th Avenue between Spruce and Verbena.". Curtain drains may require some maintenance themselves. 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. . Certifications Shovels can be used to evaluate the depth of the scum and sludge found in your septic tank. Materials that are flushed may get caught up on this congealed ooze and the blockage worsens. 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. Reduce the risk of people getting sick from untreated sewage. 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 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. Use water-saving devices such as faucet aerators and high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, dishwashers, and washing machines. Providers 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 you cannot locate your drainfield, please contact public health or a certified O&M provider for help finding your drainfield. These areas provide a transmission corridor for viruses and bacteria to enter the body. They store, treat and dispose of the things you flush or send down drains. Avoid chemical drain openers for a clogged drain. Septic Applications, Forms & Resources Browse applications, forms, and resources for septic systems. This system is called Pump to Gravity Distribution. Online portal submissions Bellevue, WA 98007, Phone: 206-477-8050 (answered until 3:00 pm), Link/share our site at www.kingcounty.gov/oss, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, Private wells, plumbing and onsite sewage systems, Pollution Identification and Correction Program (PIC), On-site Sewage System Technical Advisory Committee Bylaws, On-site Sewage System Technical Advisory Committee Membership Application, Quarter 1 OSS TAC Meeting March 30, 2022, 9-11am on Zoom. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. 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. To assist in this process, please have your address and/or your parcel ID number available. Drainfield and the reserve areas. 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. Most people perceive a slow dripping faucet as nothing more than a nuisance; however, a septic system will be burdened by additional water going down the drain. We Issue Septic Permits, Inspect Final Septic Installations, And Investigate Complaints Associated With On-Site Sewage Systems Septic System Failure Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain. RSS Guidance for properties with multiple structures. While leaning over the system, be sure to recognize that gases may have accumulated around where you are breathing. 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 . Septic Applications in 3 Easy Steps. Prior to using any electrical device (screwdrivers, drills, flashlights, etc. 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 probe can be used to identify the size and orientation of the tank (rectangle vs. round, 4 X 8 foot, etc). Most tanks are covered by 12 to 18" of soil. What is a septic system? Protects the Environment Malfunctioning septic systems release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that eventually enter streams, rivers, lakes, Puget Sound, and the ocean. Food waste from garbage disposals fill the septic tank and can clog the drainfield. Septic systems produce gases that can be explosive or are capable of displacing oxygen. A properly functioning septic system helps remove these pollutants so well water and nearby surface water doesn't get contaminated. A long piece of rebar can be pounded into the ground to look for a tank. 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. Complete a septic application using the online permitting portal. 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.). 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. Any exceptions to the above conditions must have written approval of Skagit County Environmental Public Health staff. INFORMATIONAL 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. Lids may be square, round or rectangular, and are typically large enough to allow for the tank to be pumped out. The lids on the tank are circular, 20"-24" in diameter and 5'-5 ' apart. For this reason, equipment, clothing, and tools that have been splashed with or immersed in effluent or sewage, must be decontaminated. Protects Your Property Value An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property value and poses a potentially costly legal liability. These records will be helpful if problems occur, and will be valuable to the next owner of your home. Include the parcel number and street address and we will search our files for the drawings. 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. 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. With just a few simple steps, you can protect your septicand avoid costly repairs. At a minimum, wash your hands using soap and hot water. Applications, permits and fees, Buying and selling properties Lids will likely be located near both ends of the tank. The scale should be described on your as-built. The rule of thumb for planting is to use only shallow-rooted plants such as grasses. Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, or any moist towelettes. 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. Check the Washington Department of Labor and Industries to find information about electricians. 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. Directing surface water away from your tanks and drainfield will help your drainfield function as well as possible. Face shields or goggles are recommended. Others are more complex, requiring pumps, filters, or specially designed materials. Approximately a third of Washington homes use septic systems for wastewater treatment.