Surface Water Management Division
Septic System Resources
Septic System Care Is Up To You.
Protect your investment! More than 78,000 Snohomish County homes rely on septic systems. A failing septic system can be expensive to repair and is a serious health risk to your family and pets. By practicing proper septic system care and maintenance you can protect your family's health and keep your septic system running for years to come.
(back to top)
 How does my septic system work?
| Every type of septic system is composed of a septic tank and drainfield. Wastewater from your household flows into septic tank. In the tank, heavy solids settle to the bottom forming a layer of sludge, while grease and light solids float to the top forming a scum layer. As more wastewater enters the septic tank from the house, the separated wastewater in the middle layer of the tank is either pushed out or pumped into the drainfield. Microorganisms living within the drainfield consume leftover waste particles and harmful germs and viruses cleaning the water before it is seeps into groundwater. |
Septic System Diagram - click to enlarge |
The sludge and scum layers remain in the tank where naturally-occurring "good" bacteria work to break them down. Since the bacteria cannot completely decompose of these solids, the layers continue to grow, slowly filling up the tank. These solids will eventually have to be pumped out by a certified professional.
There are many types of septic systems. If you don’t know what type of system you have, visit the the Snohomish Health District As-Built database page (external link). An "as-built" is the file on record of your property's septic system, and has information on the system type, a map showing where the septic system was installed on the property, and more.
View more information on caring for specific types of septic systems.
(back to top)
What can I do to keep my septic system healthy and avoid expensive repairs?
| There are many things that you can do to reduce the need for pumping, and to lengthen the longevity and performance of your system. Click on the Septic System Care guide to the right to find out more. |
Septic System Guide - click to enlarge
|
Go to the Puget Sound Starts Here Septic Web Pages, a user-friendly website with lots of great information to help you care for your septic system and maximize its life. Find tutorial videos, helpful tips for finding a reputable professional, downloadable brochures, and more!
(back to top)
How do I know if my septic system has failed and what do I do?
Stop, look, and smell! The most obvious septic system failures leave clues that are easy to spot. Check for pooling of water or muddy soil around your septic tank or drainfield. Check for odors of sewage or a "rotten egg" smell around your septic system or even in your basement. Notice if your sink or toilet backs up when you flush or do laundry. Look for lush green grass over your drainfield, even during dry weather. Check with the Snohomish Health District or a septic system certified professional.
(back to top)
Septic System Resources
Puget Sound Starts Here Septic Web Pages: This interactive Web site has lots of great information to help you care for your septic system and maximize its life. Find tutorial videos, helpful tips for finding a reputable professional, downloadable brochures, and more!
Snohomish Health District Wastewater Program: Look up your septic system type and its location on your property at Snohomish Health District's online septic system "as built" database. The Health District is also your resource for septic system permitting and has a list of certified septic system pumpers (34 kb PDF) and installers (65 kb PDF). There is also a telephone hotline to answer your questions at 425-339-5250. Calls can be anonymous.
Septic System Pilot Program: A septic system pilot program was conducted in coordination with Snohomish Health District in 2010 and 2011 to help homeowners with septic systems adopt everyday and long-term maintenance activities. This link includes helpful information on proper septic system care.
(back to top)
Contact
Stef Frenzl, Communication Specialist, 425-388-6466 or email at septic@snoco.org.
(back to Surface Water Management Water's Prevent Pollution home)
Some of these documents are in pdf format. To read these files you'll need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.
|