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The King County On-site Sewage/Septic System (OSS) Program is excited to celebrate 1 year of our newsletter, Septic Matters! Thank you for tuning in with us for tips to protect your septic system.
This edition of Septic Matters includes:
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions or comments.
Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con nosotros a la siguiente dirección de correo electrónico mejackson@kingcounty.gov o llame al 206.263.0547.
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Types of septic professionals
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Licensed Designers/ Professional Engineers are required when there is a septic failure that needs repair or replacement. They work with King County to submit the design, get permits, coordinate with installers during construction, and inspect the installation to prepare a record drawing.
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Master Installers work with designers to install a new or replacement system; make major repairs or reconfigurations; replace the tank, portions of drainfield piping or advanced system components (e.g., ATU, Sand filter, OSCAR Coil, Drip, etc.); and connect existing systems to detached structures with King County approval.
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Maintainers regularly check if your system is working well, fix small problems before they turn into big ones, and perform “Time of Sale” inspections when you sell your property.
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Pumpers help maintain the system by reducing excessive solids (sludge, scum) in the septic tank.
Who can perform septic work?
Only individuals with certificates of competency or licenses are authorized to perform work and maintenance on septic systems. The OSS Program keeps a list of authorized professionals on our website.
Property owners are allowed to inspect their own systems for most inspection requirements and design and install the systems if the site conditions meet code allowances.
Questions to ask your septic professionals
It’s good to ask questions when you’re looking for a septic professional to learn more about their services.
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For all professionals: Ask about the cost and what services are included in the estimated quote.
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For designers and installers: Check on procedures, timeline, and consultations about the work.
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For maintainers and pumpers: Learn more about your system status, how to identify and correct issues, maintenance tips, and about household items that can help or hurt the system's functionality.
No. This is a very common question, and we understanding it can be confusing. Inspections and pumping are two different types of maintenance work. See below for the details.
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Check all system components.
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Pump out solids (sludge, scum) from the tanks.
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Determines whether system is clogged, leaking, broken, cracked, or settling.
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Informs whether the system needs to be pumped.
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Reduces excess solids in tank and allows effluent to flow to the next septic component.
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At the time of selling the property.
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If needed from inspection.
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As needed, or every 3-5 years.
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- Follow manufacturer’s recommended inspection frequency.
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When there seems to be a problem.
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Inspection informs when the next pumping should be.
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A certified septic maintainer.
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Rather than regularly scheduling septic tank pumping, have your tank inspected regularly and only pumped when needed. Plus, an inspection costs less than pumping, so if you only have the tank pumped when it needs to be pumped, you can save money.
Public Health’s OSS Program has 17 team members who review applications, conduct inspections, write grants, and provide information about your septic systems. “Meet our Team” highlights the people behind this work.
This installment focuses on Beau, who joined the OSS Program in spring of last year after previously working in Lewis County. See a picture of Beau with his trusty pup, Tater Tot, below. 😊
What's your job with the OSS Program?
My title is Health & Environmental Investigator, but that doesn’t tell you much about what I do. For the last year, my focus has been supporting our transition to a new permitting system. My role spans septic maintenance and permitting work, and I’ve also worked on projects to get regular inspection reminders to septic owners, improve the building application process, and more.
What made you get into the world of septic?
Happenstance. My background in biology brought me to a septic inspector position, and I realized I really enjoyed how the work combines hydrogeology, soil science, and gets you out into the field.
Every site is different, so it’s like a puzzle where “one size fits all” doesn’t work. You need to find the solutions with the tools and creativity you have.
What is one piece of advice you’d like to share with septic owners?
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Get to know more about your system. Know where it is, what type of system you have, how to interpret your septic records.
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Keep your septic system in mind if you want to build on your property. It is easy for a property to get crowded when adding new structures or features. Before you build, take a moment to think about where your septic system and reserve area are located. These areas need space and undisturbed soil to continue working properly, and building over or near them can create problems later on.
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Maintain your system! A great way to protect your septic system is to take care of it—just like getting your vehicle tuned.
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Are you planning septic system maintenance, repairs, or replacement? Are you getting connected to a public sewer system after your septic system stops working? There are many low-interest loans or grants available for different projects – see highlights below!
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Craft3 Clean Water Loans: Loans to allow homeowners to borrow the entire cost of eligible design, permitting and installation of septic systems. Lower interest rates may be available for qualified lower-income borrowers, and there are no upfront loan fees or pre-payment penalties.
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Spring 2026: Converting septic to sewer, Drainfield management, Septic system basics video
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Winter 2025: Septic alarms, preparing for more people in the house, videos about community septic team, new permit system
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Fall 2025: Septic record search, types of septic repairs and replacements, septic podcast
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Summer 2025: Selling properties with septic systems, Is it okay to build a deck over my septic system?
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Spring 2025: What do the code changes mean for you? Resources about the code revisions
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