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. Protects Your Property Value An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property value and poses a potentially costly legal liability. 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 goal is to protect public health, to evaluate all septic systems, to identify and repair failing systems, and make records available to the public. Grass may grow greener in these disturbed areas. Common in rural areas without centralized sewer systems, septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that you own and operate. An inspection report from a homeowner will only be accepted if the report is for that property owners OSS system. An O&M Specialist is going to inspect operational components such as a flow test, a drawdown to verify that timer settings are correct, and a pressure test if applicable. Concrete lids may become cemented into place due to the shrinking and swelling of concrete. The final step to evaluating your system is completing the appropriate Skagit County Health Department On-Site Sewage System (OSS) Homeowner Report. If heavy rains cause water to sit around your septic system, avoid putting water down your drains. A garbage disposal adds more solid material to your septic system. On-site Program staff review and comment on land development projects and activities such as Subdivisions, Special Use Permits, Boundary . Commercial properties and non-owner occupied properties may also qualify. Oftentimes, the metal handle used to remove the lid may become rotted, and will not support the weight of the lid, nor be usable for popping off the lid. If you have a water meter on your property, you can easily figure out how much water you and your family are using. Soil over your system should be slightly mounded to help surface water runoff. This is a cheap and easy way of assessing your toilet for leaks, which may otherwise be difficult to detect visually. 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. There are many different types of systems. Proper hygienic practices minimize the risk of exposure to disease causing agents that are found in sewage. Approximately a third of Washington homes use septic systems for wastewater treatment. These areas provide a transmission corridor for viruses and bacteria to enter the body. Protects the Environment Malfunctioning septic systems release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that eventually enter streams, rivers, lakes, Puget Sound, and the ocean. In the plumbing, liquids will carry solid materials out of your dwelling towards downstream components. Keep accurate records of your septic system. Options for inspecting your system include: Pump out your septic tank when needed. Before you plant a garden, landscape your yard, construct a building, or install a pool, check on the location of your septic system and replacement area. Septic Applications in 3 Easy Steps. Discharging effluent onto the ground's surface or into surface and ground water is against Washington State law. Since 2008, Washington state law and Island County code have required that all septic systems be inspected at the time of property transfer. Public health licenses these professionals, and maintains a list of System Maintenance Providers. *: Which best describes your role in visiting our site today? Don't select the large-load cycle if you're washing a small amount of laundry. Save you money and extend the life of your system. Approved OSS site design applications submitted online since May 2019 are also available. Read the meter once all faucets are off, and then wait a few hours and check the meter again. If the meter has moved, yet you have used no water during that time, you may have a very slow leak. You must be able to observe the inlet and outlet of your septic tank. Some tanks have smaller lids on each end of the tank to allow for inspection of inlet and outlet baffles. See Ecology's. Protective clothing should be worn whenever you maintain your septic system. While they may not have a negative effect on your system, they do fill your septic system with wastes that require removal through pumping. 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. The descriptions below may also help you determine your system type. Some plumbing (like toilets) can leak so slowly that it is difficult to hear or see signs of a leak. Then, they will submit a report to Public Health about the status of your system. . 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. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Local landscapers or nurseries can help you select plants that are appropriate for the areas around your septic system. The more wastewater you produce, the more wastewater the soil must treat and dispose. Check the Washington Department of Labor and Industries to find information about electricians. Sewage related records are typically marked with an "SWG". 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. 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. outlet baffle, and 3) distribution box (if present) within 30 days of inspection. The septic tank will provide room for the solids to settle out and begin to decompose. 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. Household Hazardous Waste Facility: 14104 Ovenell Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 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. These gases can be odorless and may deprive you of oxygen. In these cases, it may be increasingly difficult to maintain your septic system without a significant amount of effort. The phone number is 360-385-9444. Due to differences in elevations, on some occasions, a pump is needed to get the sewage to the drainfield. [Ver este comunicado de prensa en Espaol]. Planning 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. Fortunately, help is now available in every Washington county. I can't find my record drawingrequest Health Department search for a record you can't locate. Complete a septic application using the online permitting portal. Chronic Disease, Communicable Diseases, &Immunizations. Vince McGowan, water quality program manager for Ecology. To learn more, check out our 3D septic system models. As-built drawings can be obtained at the Skagit County Online Septic Search. Environmental Health Code, Chapter 1, General Provisions, Environmental Health Code, Chapter 2, On-Site Sewage, Environmental Health Code, Chapter 3,Water Regulation, Appeals Process of Orders and Decisions of the Health Officer. Covering the eyes, mouth, and any open cuts is particularly important. Let it cool, harden, and then throw it away in the trash. Use a brush to clean the hard to reach portions of the tools. During the 2020-2022 Project, we are sampling water quality, performing visual surveys, and providing free technical assistance and rebates. You may get splashed or sprayed with raw sewage. 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. 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. Lids will likely be located near both ends of the tank. Providers These cases may require the help of a licensed O&M Specialist. Missing information, photographs, etc. Fully immerse the tools and equipment in the solution as much as you can, let stand for 3 minutes or longer. Open the lid to your toilet tank and pour enough food coloring into the tank water to color the water. Remove gross contamination from your equipment. Harsh chemicals including acids, bases, pesticides, herbicides, oils, paints, and varnishes should never be drained into any fixture that leads to your septic system. 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. *: Regional On-Site Sewage System Loan Program, Copyright Washington State Department of Ecology. This program supports healthy shellfish and fisheries, and helps ensure Washingtonians have access to swimming beaches and recreation.. 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. 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. Lists of certified professionals There are many different types of systems. Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 (253) 649-1500 (800) 330-1844 TDD (253) 649-1400. 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. Lids may be square, round or rectangular, and are typically large enough to allow for the tank to be pumped out. They include both new construction and repairs to failing systems. Clean these tools in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, or any moist towelettes. Website Design by Granicus - Connecting People and Government. 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. Others are more complex, requiring pumps, filters, or specially designed materials. Maintaining your septic system will save you money as well as help maintain or improve surface and groundwater quality in Skagit County. After completing your inspection and necessary maintenance, you should shower or bathe, even if you dont feel like youve been exposed to sewage. A septic system evaluation can be performed by a septic system professional. At a minimum, wash your hands using soap and hot water. Hygienic practices mentioned here will help you protect yourself. We Issue Septic Permits, Inspect Final Septic Installations, And Investigate Complaints Associated With On-Site Sewage Systems Septic System Failure Don't wait until you have a problem. If there is no record drawing for your septic system you will need to contact a certified O&M Provider to request a record drawing be completed and submitted to public health along with their inspection. 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. Any exceptions to the above conditions must have written approval of Skagit County Environmental Public Health staff. A properly functioning septic system helps remove these pollutants so well water and nearby surface water doesn't get contaminated. 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. Directing surface water away from your tanks and drainfield will help your drainfield function as well as possible. What is a septic system? NOTE:Before 1975, permits were not required by law. & 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 Maintenance
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