COVID-19 

We are now in Phase 2 of Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington—Roadmap to Recovery. Read Phase 2 guidance for construction sites. Our building remains closed to the public, but we are working remotely to help you. Most services are available online. We encourage online applications, virtual meetings and virtual consultations.

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

Recertification for certified septic system professionals

Recertification for septic system professional applications were due Feb. 15, 2021.  

We want you to operate with the most up-to date knowledge as we expand our Operations & Maintenance notifications. 

Need Continuing Education Unit extension? You can get a six-month extension. Email oscp@tpchd.org and we will add you to our Certification Extension list with no late fee for CEUs. Your CEU’s are then due by Aug. 15, 2021.

If you need CEU credits visit WOSSA and NOWRA for classes. 

Website and phone number updates

We updated our website to improve instructions and resources to create an application and track its progress through completion. Learn more about permitting updates on our website.

We have new phone numbers. Please update contacts in your electronic devices.

Report of System Status (RSS) reminder

When you create an online application for more than 1 RSS on a single parcel, make sure your pop-up blocker is off. Then, after you complete the application you will get a pop-up that will ask if you want to make an additional application. You need to answer “yes” to this pop-up to complete additional applications at the reduced fee. Read how to remove a pop-up blocker in Chrome.

Extensions for septic and water applications

We will extend any septic or water applications that expired after the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order March 16, 2020 through the end of the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Need to request an extension? Contact Christine DelaLlana at CDelaLlana@tpchd.org.

2020-2021 high winter water table reviews

The deadline passed to submit High Winter Water Table Reviews for 2020-2021 season. If you submitted an application by the deadline, you will receive your results in April 2021. Did you miss the deadline? Get ready for the 2021-2022 season. Submit your application in conjunction with a WA licensed septic designer or professional engineer by Dec. 1, 2021.

Operations and maintenance begins in the Key Peninsula

We send inspection reminders to septic system owners with complex systems such as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or community systems. Beginning this year, we will mail inspection reminders to septic system owners on the Key Peninsula. We will notify approximately 9,000 system owners over the next 2 years.

You may get calls from homeowners who may not understand the difference between pumping a septic tank and a septic system inspection. Please help them understand that to comply with Health Department requirements, they need an inspection. This inspection may identify maintenance or repair needs to comply with requirements.

Homeowners enrolled in Peninsula Light’s Project Help or Senior/Disabled Discount programs are eligible for financial assistance. This financial assistance replaces the previous Septic Care Incentive Program.

• Funding is limited and expires May 31, 2021.
• Only properties on the Key Peninsula and Herron Island with a gravity or standard pressure system can participate.
  • Use this interactive map to check if a property falls within the geographic area.
• We pre-approve eligible homeowners and mark that on the form.
• If your company signed up to participate in the financial assistance program, then:
  1. Homeowners schedule inspections with your company.
  2. You provide service and give the discount(s) at the time of service.
  3. You email homeowner’s form, RME inspection report, and invoice showing the discount(s) given to KeyPenClean@tpchd.org within 10 days of the inspection.
  4. We reimburse you within 30 days.

Individual water well application and process improvements

We can now issue individual well siting approvals on some properties prior to full septic design approval. We will apply this initially only to large lots where:

• The proposed 100’ well radius fits entirely on the parcel and
• No concerns with soils or setbacks related to septic system placement exist.

This allows homeowners to get their wells scheduled or drilled before their final septic system approval.

New RS&G guidance for subsurface drip irrigation

Washington Department of Health released a new Recommended Standards and Guidance document (RS&G) for subsurface drip systems in December. Make sure you use the current version of this document for your subsurface drip designs.  

Shoreline requirements

If your site is in a shoreline jurisdiction, whether new construction, a remodel or repair, you must apply for a Shoreline Exemption through Pierce County Planning and Public Works. The Health Department will coordinate with Pierce County on any Shoreline requirements impacting your septic system.

Application review times

On Feb. 1, 2021, Pierce County Building Department’s new fees went into effect. We received a large volume of applications to take advantage of the old fees. Please be patient as we work with Pierce County to review these applications.

We expect delays in review times. To help you plan, you can get an estimate of expected review of your application. See a summary by application type, as well as specific info on your specific application detail page. These estimated review dates can change based on staffing and workload.

Simple things you can do to help us work faster

• Submit water availability letters with your septic designs and remember to show the water line on your site plan.
• Create your own design or site plan drawings. Don’t use a copy of the previous as-built record (created by a different designer) for your design/site plan.
• Label all structures on the site plan.
• If you submit a Repair application where the home now has more bedrooms than our as-built, we will change it to a Design REMODEL. We can still fast track it like a Repair, but, you will need a reserve area and a water review.
  • If the property has an individual well, you will need a Well Site Remodel Inspection application.
• Enter just one parcel number and address per application.
• Don’t submit variances or waivers to develop undersized lots – minimum lot size is 12,500 Sq. Ft for lots with public water, and 1.0 acre if using an individual well.

Questions? Contact us.

• Leigh McIntire, On-Site Sewage and Drinking Water Permitting Program Manager, at lmcintire@tpchd.org.
• Chrissy Cooley, Water Quality and Protection Program Manager, at ccooley@tpchd.org.