We are still working under the Governor’s Phase 2 guidance for construction sites.

• Our building remains closed to the public, but we are working remotely to help you.
• You can access most of our services online. We encourage online applications, virtual meetings and virtual consultations.
• See resources to help you plan on our COVID-19 Information for businesses.

You can see application review times online.

To help you plan, you can now see an estimate of when we expect to review your application. You can view a summary by application type and specific information on the application detail page. We update this information weekly.

Our current review times are:

• Septic system and well applications—45 business days.
• Report of System Status—16 business days.

We continue to shift resources to help balance review times across the county. Thank you for your patience as we work through our backlog of applications and resubmittals.

Information to help the process go more smoothly.

1. Submit a complete application packet the first time.
2. Apply online–We’ll soon require you to submit all applications electronically. If you need help, use our online submittal guidance or contact Brad Costello.
3. Ensure you properly prepare your sites for inspection. Field staff need a site map and reasonable access to the site, soil test pits and well sites. Soils test pits must be properly constructed with sloped access. This will help you avoid reinspection and associated fees and keep our staff safe.
4. Check your application status at tpchd.org/applicationstatus. Our administrative processing time may take up to 3 business days to reflect resubmittals received or payments posted.
5. Resubmit at one time, in one place if you need to add anything to your original application.

• Did you apply online? Log back on to your account on https://eco.tpchd.org to resubmit. Review instructions for how to upload resubmittals.
• Did you submit by mail or in person before March? Email resubmittal documents to EHSepticSystems@tpchd.org. Include the following information in your email:
  • Subject Line: include property address.
  • Service Request number (e.g. SR0123456).
  • Site address.
  • Parcel number.
  • Description of document.

6. Help us stay focused on your applications.

• Limit calls and emails to staff.
• If you need to discuss a review we performed, you can email the reviewer with your questions or to schedule an appointment.

7. Payments.

• When you apply online, we automatically generate an invoice. You will receive an email confirmation with an account and invoice number. Anyone can use these numbers to pay online.
  • If you are the septic professional who submits the application, provide an accurate email address for the person who will pay the invoice.
• If you or your customer need to pay with a check, mail it with a copy of the invoice to Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Environmental Health, 3629 S. D St. Tacoma, WA 98418.

Questions?

• Leigh McIntire, OnSite Sewage Program Manager at lmcintire@tpchd.org.
• Chrissy Cooley, Water Resources Program Manager at ccooley@tpchd.org.

Curious about Pierce County’s COVID-19 response? Visit www.tpchd.org/coronavirus.