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01/13/2008: "New Septic Maintenance Program Passed"

(San Juan County Board of Health -file photo)

It may take some getting used to, and it is going to cost homeowners some money, but the State of Washington has imposed new operation and maintenance regulations on twelve Puget Sound Counties to develop and submit an On-site Sewage System Management Plan to the State Department of Health (original story) , and the SJC Board of Health has done just that.

In July of this year the Board of Health passed new rules that would dictate when, and how, septic systems will be maintained and inspected. The rule approval then went to the State for their review and approval, then the SJC Board amended the local SJC sewage code to put it into effect.

The entire “On-site Sewage System Operation & Maintenance Program Plan” can be read by clicking here, or going to the county web site at: http://www.co.san-juan.wa.us/health/ehswaste.asp, but the part that will be of most intrest to homeowers and Realtors is the section that deals with what must be done, and when, as follows:


Maintenance Components: On-site sewage disposal systems must be equipped with specific maintenance components (e.g. access risers, observations ports, and clean-outs) to be effectively monitored and inspected. Most systems that were designed and installed prior to 1998 do not contain these essential features. Therefore existing systems that do not contain these components will be required to install the following features at time of sale:

1. Access risers on the septic tank and pump chamber
2. Access riser installed on “D”-boxes or the location clearly marked
3. Observation ports in the drainfield, sand filter or mound
4. Cleanouts on pressure distribution laterals
5. Audible and visual alarms on all pumps
6. Effluent filters
In addition, all existing system owners will be encouraged to install these features to allow proper monitoring and inspections.

Phasing: In order to effectively implement and manage the above program a phased approach will be used. During the initial phase the county will develop the mechanisms to notify system owners, receive and track inspection reports, refine the enforcement procedures, track compliance and determine the resources necessary to fully implement the plan. Listed below is the recommended phasing schedule:

Phase 1:
Start Date: July 1, 2007
Systems in Program: Aerobic units, packed bed filters and other proprietary systems.

Phase 2:
Start Date: July 1, 2009
Systems in Program: Mound, sand filters and pressure distribution systems

Phase 3:
Start Date: July 1, 2011
Systems in Program: Standard gravity and all other systems.