Departments / Elected . . Save you money and extend the life of your system. Clean these tools in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Know where the system is and keep a diagram of its location. Customer service counter opens at 9:30 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month. The longevity of your on-site septic system relies heavily on the way that you care for it. It is also recommended the first inspection of any OSS be done professionally. You must be able to observe the inlet and outlet of your septic tank. Older septic tanks might not be sized appropriately for your home, especially if your home has been remodeled and is now larger. 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. Look for a medication take-back program in your area. Remove gross contamination from your equipment. Landscaping in and around your septic system is important. 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. 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 your washing machine has load settings, make sure you select the proper load size. Rakes can be used to lift floats and screens. The bigger the tank, the more capacity it has to handle solids and water, which could allow for more time between pumpings. Smaller problems can be fixed during the inspection. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. 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. I can't find my record drawingrequest Health Department search for a record you can't locate. For example, a scale of 1 = 20 means that every inch on the paper is equal to 20 feet in your yard. 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. 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. To find out what type of system you have, take a look at your propertys as built records. Get email alerts based on your topic preferences like news releases, job openings, emergency updates and more! Curtain drains may require some maintenance themselves. Expanding the program statewide was made possible with funding support from the state legislature. . The system type will be noted in multiple places within the permit. There are many different types of systems. 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. For a typical household, septic tanks are usually pumped every three to five years. Once you submit your quiz and contact information, we will have a record of you completing Septics 101. The drainfield is the final and the most downstream component in your septic 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. Protect your system from damage. 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). 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. 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 . Save your money from septic tank additives. Drainfield and the reserve areas. The average size of a 1000 gallon tank is 5'x8'. Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry. For more information, click the buttons below. Interested homeowners can apply for a Clean Water Loan by visiting the Craft3 website. Remember, the soil where your drainfield is located, is capable of disposing of only so much liquid. see the Washington State Department of . These areas provide a transmission corridor for viruses and bacteria to enter the body. Proper maintenance is defined in the code as: Keep water runoff away from your system. Your groundwater and Puget Sound lakes, rivers, and beaches benefit, too! For example, "the property is on 30th Avenue between Spruce and Verbena.". On Birth & Death Certificates, Food Worker Cards, Public Records Request, Report a Complaint & Fees. & 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 Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. Lids may be square, round or rectangular, and are typically large enough to allow for the tank to be pumped out. How would you like to receive your "as-built": Before 1975, permits were not required by law. 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. Learn the basics of septic system design, maintenance, and dos and donts to keep your septic system working well as long as possible. 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). 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. This will be located downhill from the septic tank outlet baffle (unless there is a pump). The best way to determine your system type is to review your septic permit. If you do not know where your system is located, you may be able to obtain this information from our offices. Whitman. 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. 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. The final treatment occurs in the soil of your drainfield. For this reason, equipment, clothing, and tools that have been splashed with or immersed in effluent or sewage, must be decontaminated. A typical conventional gravity system will not have any mechanical devices to convey water or material; gravity will do all of the required work. In the plumbing, liquids will carry solid materials out of your dwelling towards downstream components. Protecting your face, eyes, and mouth will minimize your risk of illness. The more wastewater you produce, the more wastewater the soil must treat and dispose. While trouble-shooting, water can be used to simulate normal water flow through the septic system. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Contact us at ehsepticsystems@tpchd.orgor (253) 649-1925. Certifications The effluent is distributed via pressure throughout the drainfield by utilizing small diameter pipes with small holes to distribute the liquid throughout the drainfield. Meet septic system requirements before you do. Shovels can be used to evaluate the depth of the scum and sludge found in your septic tank. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. ), all septic system parts should be vented thoroughly. Septic Applications in 3 Easy Steps. Prior to using any electrical device (screwdrivers, drills, flashlights, etc. Directory Septic Application Turnaround Times Septic Permitting 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. SepticSmart EPA offers advice on proper septic care and brochures and factsheets for homeowners. There is a 25 gallon / household / month limit, for free! OSS records Many of these products can clog your plumbing and septic system. Health Programs, Healthy Communities, WIC, Nurse/Family Partnership. After completing your inspection and necessary maintenance, you should shower or bathe, even if you dont feel like youve been exposed to sewage. Septic Applications, Forms & Resources Browse applications, forms, and resources for septic systems. If there is a slow leak, the food coloring will show up in the toilet bowl. Most tanks are covered by 12 to 18" of soil. Electrical connections are typically buried and run underground from the dwelling to the pump tank. Others are more complex, requiring pumps, filters, or specially designed materials.