February 26, 2025

Hello oss Industry Professionals,

This first newsletter for 2025 highlights changes to local OSS code, septic lid safety, and reporting reminders. Missed a newsletter? Past editions can be found on our For Contractors webpage. 

Changes coming to snohomish oss health code 

This year, we are revising septic system code in Snohomish County to comply with new state rules and regulations and to address local issues. This is part of a broader effort to update the Snohomish County Board of Health Code. These changes may affect you, and we want to keep you in the loop!  

Introducing our new health code updates newsletter – your go-to source for the latest on proposed changes to the health code, how they could impact you, and ways to share your input. Subscribe to stay updated and have your voice heard! This will be our main way of sharing code updates, so subscribe to never miss an update.  

Visit our health code update webpage or email us at SCBHC@co.snohomish.wa.us for more information. If you would like to participate in an advisory group about OSS code changes, please email us for more information. 

secondary lids/safety screens

Secondary lids or safety screens exist solely to prevent accidental entry into tanks. This article from DecentralizedWastewater.org talks more about the importance of these safety accessories and explains how they can prevent unnecessary tragedies. You can let homeowners know about this easy and inexpensive option to improve the safety of their system and provide peace of mind. 

If you come across a homeowner with a missing, damaged, or otherwise unsafe lid, reiterate the importance of fixing it immediately. Please advise them to block off the area to protect those on the property until it is fixed. 

reporting reminders 

lock reports to avoid missing & late reports 

• The Health Department has seen an increase in late or missing reports. To avoid potential issues please ensure you are locking your reports immediately after completing all fields and entering all data.  If you conduct further repairs/replacements after you have locked your report, please complete a follow-up/limited repair report. These follow-up/limited repair reports do not have a fee associated with them and are no additional cost. As a reminder, per Snohomish County Board of Health Code, all inspections require reports and must submitted electronically within 30 days of the date of service, or immediately if the OSS if failing.  Failure to submit reports or late reporting may result in a Notice of Violation. 

include comments on deicient reports 

• The Health Department reviews all reports in OnlineRME that show deficiencies. Make sure you are adding detailed comments when a deficiency is noted. The comments are critical for us to know if a site visit is required.

new podcast alert

Washington State Department of Health passed along information about Onsite Installer’s newly announced podcast. Check it out here if you are interested! 

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.