December 5, 2025

Hello oss Industry Professionals,

This fourth quarter newsletter highlights opportunities for input on reporting requirements and processes, violation reminders, WAC requirements for tanks, coverable expenses under Savvy Septic grants, and WOSSA's Septic-Con. 

Share your thoughts on reporting requirement updates 

All certified septic contractors must submit reports for inspections, pumping, and minor repairs under Snohomish County’s Board of Health Code. We are updating these reporting requirements in the code to support consistent record-keeping and ensure homeowners have reliable system history. A reporting guide is still under development to provide step-by-step instructions for submitting reports in Snohomish County. 

Draft code language and the draft reporting guide are currently available for review. We encourage contractors to provide feedback on these materials – your field experience is essential to shaping this updated reporting process. If you have questions or input, please email SCBHC@co.snohomish.wa.us by the end of January. 

Contractor Violations & Reporting 

Snohomish County Health Department issues Notices of Violations for septic contractors who fail to abide by the local board of health code. This can include violations related to reporting such as: 

• Missing reports 
• Late reports 
• Falsifying reports 
• Operating outside of your certificate (the person listed on the report is not certified for the work stated in the report)

Three Notices of Violations within any twelve-month period can result in the suspension or revocation of your certificate. More information about violations can be found in the following wastewater sections of Snohomish County Board of Health Code.  

• 5.55.030 | Definitions (See “Violations”) 
• 5.55.060 | OSS Contractor Certification 

Septic Designers: WAC requirements for tanks 

This is a reminder that for repair applications, designers are required to evaluate the causes of failure and address that in their design (WAC 246-272A-0280). This means statements such as “Replace tanks if not watertight” should no longer be used on repair applications. Instead, repair applications should specifically state whether the tanks will be replaced or the originals will be kept.  

Tank replacement requirements: If the tanks are less than 1,000 gallons but still in good condition, they may or may not need to be replaced depending on if records exist: 

• If there is record of the system: The tanks do not need to be replaced. 
• If there is no record of the system: The repair needs to meet new construction standards (new tanks and drainfield). 

Savvy Septic Grant Projects - Coverable Expenses

The Health Department's Savvy Septic program offers grants for low-income homeowners in need of major septic system repair, replacement, or connection to sewer. Grant funds can be used to cover design and installation costs, however they cannot be used to reimburse a homeowner for work they have already paid for. In order for a homeowner to have design or install costs covered, these must go through the county's required selection and bidding processes. 

To learn more about the Health Department's Savvy Septic Program, you can watch a video presentation that explains the program’s benefits for homeowners, the role of contractors, and ways to participate. Additional presentations are available for installers and designers interested in working on Savvy Septic grant projects (Note: the general workshop must be completed first). All workshops are available online and can be accessed anytime. 

• Savvy Septic Contractor Workshop (for all OSS contractors) | approx. 25 minutes 
• Savvy Septic Grant Projects & Installers | approx. 15 minutes 
• Savvy Septic Grant Projects & Designers | approx. 10 minutes 

Washington On-Site Sewage Association SEPTIC-CON

Looking for professional learning opportunities? Washington On-Site Sewage Association (WOSSA) is hosting Septic-Con on January 23rd & 24th in Tacoma. About the conference: “This conference seeks to bring together professionals, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders who are passionate about sustainable and efficient decentralized wastewater solutions.... Throughout the conference, we will be addressing a diverse range of topics, from system design and installation techniques to management practices, maintenance strategies, and regulatory considerations.”  

The Next Scope Meeting

Next Meeting Date & Link: TBD

The next meeting date for the Septic Community of Professional Experts (SCOPE) will be determined in the new year. Please stay tuned in future newsletters.

Questions? Contact us!

Email: SHD-EHQ@snoco.org

Call: (425) 339-5250

Missed a newsletter? Past editions can be found on our For Contractors webpage. 

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.