Welcome to Skagit County
September 21, 2015
Governor declares Sept. 21 – 25 Septic Smart Week
SKAGIT COUNTY – Septic Smart Week is intended to raise awareness about something most people don’t like to think about very often . . . where things go after you flush.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that one-fifth of all American households have septic systems. Skagit County Public Health has documented at least 10,115 septic systems in Skagit County.
‘Maintenance is the key factor to the health of a septic system,’ said Corinne Story, Environmental Public Health Manager. ‘Have your septic system inspected every one to three years. It’s likely you will find a small problem that can be easily and inexpensively fixed. If it’s not fixed, your entire septic system may fail sooner than it should. Septic systems can last 30 – 40 years depending on how well they are cared for.’
Daily themes for Septic Smart Week are:
- Protect it and inspect it
- Think at the sink
- Don’t overload the commode
- Don’t strain your drain
- Shield your field
‘The themes for Septic Smart Week show how much each person can do to protect his or her investment in a septic system,” said Story. “Recommendations include such things as regular inspections, being careful about what you put down the drain or toilet, smart water use like not doing laundry all on one day, and keeping your drain field clear of cars or other heavy equipment that can crush a drain line.’
Skagit County Public Health requires inspections every three years for gravity systems and annually for other systems that have pumps, aerobic tanks or other electrical components.
There are about 40 companies certified by Skagit County Public Health to do these inspections. Called ‘operations and maintenance specialists,’ they are required to report all inspections and pumping of septic tanks to Skagit County.
‘We believe an educated septic system owner is the key to a properly functioning system over the long run,” said Story. “We offer Septics 101 training online, and the state Department of Health has additional online training. We also have Septics 201 classes, which are held at WSU Research Extension office. We don’t have a date set just yet, but we will hold a Septics 201 class later this fall. There are 20 people on our waiting list for the class, and we limit to 30 people.”
Story encourages people to check out the EPA website and review the County’s Septics 101 online training so they can be ‘septic smart.’ Check it out: http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/septic/septic-Smart-Week.cfm or go to www.skagitcounty.net/EH to learn about Skagit County Public Health’s septic system program.
To find out more about your property’s septic system, go to www.skagitcounty.net, click on property search on the left side of the web page. Once you get to your property’s information, click on ‘septic system.’ Permit, inspection and tank pumping information are located here. There may also be a copy of the ‘as-built’ or drawing that septic system installers are required to submit the Skagit County Public Health when a septic system is installed or repaired.