Hello oss contractors,

This is the second edition of Snohomish County Health Department’s quarterly newsletter for OSS contractors. If you missed the first newsletter sent out in February, you can find it online. In this edition, we will be highlighting some information about OnlineRME reporting, WOSSA exams, and permitting information.

Reporting Reminders

Limited Repairs

Anytime limited repairs are made to a system, it is important to document these in OnlineRME with a report so that there is an accurate service history for the system.

• For limited repairs completed at the time of an inspection or pumping: Include details about the limited repair in the comments section of the inspection or pumping report. (This includes noting if risers were installed). 
• For limited repairs completed as a follow-up, or outside of an inspection or pumping: Submit a “Follow-Up/Limited Repair” report. Instructions on submitting this type of report are available to print as well as online on our For Contractors page under OnlineRME Reporting. (This includes going out to a property to install risers.)

Surfacing Sewage

Always submit reports for properties with surfacing sewage immediately, and please add comments! It is very helpful to include details such as where the effluent is surfacing, what site component it’s coming from, or if it only occurs when the pump is on. This helps our staff when they go out for a site visit.

Adding photos to reports

You can add photos of system components or surfacing sewage with your reports. Uploading photos is not required, but it can be helpful. To view the OnlineRME instructions for adding photos, follow the steps below: 

1. Log in to OnlineRME  
2. Click “Help” in upper right hand corner. 
3. From the left-hand menu, select Content > Septic Service Providers > Entering Reports.  
4. Select either “Entering Pump Reports” and “Entering Service Reports”. Both have instructions on uploading photos at the bottom.

How to access the WOssa exam

Anyone planning to become a certified monitoring & maintenance specialist will need to take both portions of the O&M exam through WOSSA (Level 1 and Level 2). Information on scheduling the exam can be found on WOSSA’s website on the Certification Testing page under the Education tab. For more information on certification steps for all contractors, view our OSS Certification and Licensing page.

WAC 246-272A OSS Rule Revision

If you haven't already seen info about upcoming changes to WAC Chapter 246-272A, you can find information on Washington State Department of Health's Onsite Rule Revision webpage. Please direct any questions regarding these changes to the Rule Revision Contacts listed at the bottom of their page.

Permit Reminders for installers

Always remember to:

• Have the approved design and permit in possession during installation
• Keep the permit on site in a conspicuous location until the local health officer has granted final approval

Permitting steps for homeowners

We recently revised the information on our website to better communicate OSS permitting steps for homeowners. If you have a customer who is confused on the process, you can direct them to our webpage or these guides to assist them. 

Septic Permit Steps (Webpage) 

• Septic Application & Design Guide (Info from website in a printable guide) 
• Septic Permitting & Installation Guide (Info from website in a printable guide. This is also sent to applicants when their application and design are approved.)

Contractor Feedback - Still open!

We’ve left our survey open that was sent out in last quarter’s newsletter, as we’d like to hear input from more contractors. Please click the link below to complete the survey and provide feedback! 

Click here to complete the survey

Questions? Contact us!

Email: SHD-EHQ@snoco.org

Call: (425) 339-5250

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement PC-01J89801 to the Washington State Department of Health and under an assistance agreement to the Washington State Department of Ecology. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.