|
This page contains information for property owners.
Operation and maintenance of your system
Septic systems are usually not considered an essential part of a home. But replacing a residential septic treatment system may cost between $6,000 and $15,000! Periodic inspection and timely repair of your system components can prevent damage to the soil and water in the ground around your home, and may extend the useful life of your system.
Washington Administrative Code chapter 246-272A and Clark County Code 24.17 requires homeowners whose property is not connected to a municipal sewer system to ensure that the property includes an approved, correctly functioning on-site septic system. Proper maintenance is defined in the code as:
- Determining the level of solids and scum in the septic tank every three years.
- Employing an approved pumper to remove septage from the tank when necessary.
- Protecting the system components and required reserve septic area from damage by structures or materials, surface drainage, soil compaction, soil removal or grade alteration.
- Keeping the sewage flow at or below designed quantity and waste strength.
- Directing roof drains away from the area of the sewage treatment system.
- Operating and maintaining alternative sewage disposal systems if directed by the County Health Officer.
Why should you maintain your septic system?
- To protect public health.
- To protect our drinking water.
- To protect your investment.
|
Type of system |
Frequency of inspection |
|
Simple gravity with drainfields |
Every 3 years |
|
Simple gravity with pump that pushes effluent up into the drainfield |
Every 3 years |
|
All alternative systems (pressure distribution, sand mounds, ATU, Glendons, etc.)
All food establishments |
Yearly
Note: Some systems are so complex the manufacturer recommends inspection more often for the first 2 years; be sure to meet the conditions of your warranty. |
|
All systems |
Ensure that a current report of system status is on file with Clark County Public Health when a property served by anon-site septic system is offered for sale. The report of system status is considered current for purposes of this subsection if it was completed within one (1) year of the date of sale. |
Maintaining your septic tank
The lack of septic tank maintenance can cause sewage to back up into your house or solids to overflow to the drainfield. Once solids overflow and leave through the tank outlet, they can quickly clog a drain field to the point that a new one is required. Most septic tanks need to be pumped every three to five years, depending on the tank size and the amount and type of solids entering the tank. The inspection of the sludge and scum levels is the only way to determine when a tank needs to be pumped. This is not necessarily a pleasant task, but can be done relatively easily. Septic tank pumping firms are available to perform the inspection. For more information please see our Guide to the proper care and maintenance of your on-site septic system. (PDF)
Local on-site septic system regulations
The Clark County Board of Health adopted Ordinance 24.17, On-Site Sewage (septic) System Rules and Regulations of Clark County
Public Health, in October 2007 during a public hearing.
Can resident homeowners do their own inspections?
If it's a simple gravity system, yes! The homeowner must attend a workshop at Public Health and pass the operations & maintenance (O&M) test. The inspection reporting form will be provided at the workshop.
Homeowner's workshop
When: December 11, 2009 at 3 p.m. & Thursday, February 18, 2010
Where: Center for Community Health
1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd. - Conference Room 210C
Exam fee: $20
For further information and registration please contact Maureen Walker at (360) 397-8241
Help for failing septic systems
Financial assistance is available for homeowners with failing septic systems in need of repair or replacement. Please check the eligibility guidelines. (PDF)
Certified/licensed professionals
Our office does not recommend any particular septic operation and maintenance specialist, but does provide a list of persons/businesses who are currently certified with Clark County Public Health to conduct septic system inspections (PDF) Questions? Call (360) 397-8428.
More information
|
