Get your $200 septic system rebate
/
In our previous article we made the case for how important it is to ensure your septic system is functioning properly, and how that relates to your drinking water. Most septic systems need to be inspected every three years, or sooner on some proprietary systems like Glendon BioFilter systems and Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs). Many systems need to be pumped every three to five years, or longer depending on tank size, occupancy and how much stuff you run into it. It should never be more than a third full of solids. Ignoring the basics of septic system operation and maintenance can only result in costly repairs down the road, or a complete replacement in the worst case.
Steve Schneider, our resident expert in septic system design, says a replacement septic system would cost $978 for the permit, about $1,600 for design, and between $10,000 to $20,000 for installation - depending on size, type and site access. Let’s not go there.
Now the good news
Whatcom County has a rebate program to help homeowners recover some of the costs of inspection, pumping and repairs. They also have a loan program to assist homeowners who face bad news of having to replace a failed septic system.
Step 1
To be eligible, you can qualify for a rebate if you own your own residence in Whatcom County with a septic system and have completed homeowner training offered by Whatcom County, either by classes or online.
Step 2
Complete Septic System Homeowner training, or take the quiz if it has been over three years since you took the class or completed on-line training (classes won’t start back until mid 2022).
The Whatcom County Homeowner Online Septic Training Study Guide (PDF here) will get you started. It runs 14 pages and takes about 20-30 minutes to go through. You might find it helpful to print out the quiz before starting as you go through it. (No, it’s not cheating!)
Next, go to the Homeowner Online Septic System Training (HOST) presentation (PDF here) which runs 49 pages, but is mostly photos of various things you’ll encounter. It’s very well put together, and will take another 20-30 minutes to digest. (no septic pun intended). Fill out the quiz, and certify you have taken the online course if this is your first time.
Step 3
Take advantage of one of three rebates available:
$100 rebate: Hire a licenced OSS Specialists to inspect your system.
$200 rebate: Hire a certified septic pumper if needed.
$100 rebate: Have maintenance performed on your system for things like risers, or filters if needed from a certified O&M Specialist.
Homeowners who complete the training may find it more effective to do their own inspection, file the ROSS (Report of System Status), then hire a certified pumper if needed for the maximum rebate available, or hire an installer to add an improvement to their system. Here’s the ROSS form if you do your own inspection. Mail original forms and photos to Whatcom County Health Department.
Step 4
Submit your paperwork to Whatcom County. Simple - sort of (there are two different Departments) - but well worth your time to get the rebate, plus have the peace of mind your system is functioning properly and will do so until the next time you have to do it again. That’s every three years for most of us.
Remember:
Homeowner training and ROSS forms go to the Whatcom County Department of Health at 509 Girard St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Rebate forms, receipts and quiz go to Public Works Department at 322 N. Commercial St, Suite 110, Bellingham, WA 98225.
Molly Burke
Whatcom County Outreach Specialist for the Pollution Identification and Correction Program
Septic systems can provide long-lasting and effective treatment of household wastewater. Septic systems that fail prematurely usually do so because they weren’t properly maintained. Over time a septic system ages and its parts can become worn out or damaged. Worn out or damaged parts affect how sewage moves through the system and can reduce the system’s ability to treat sewage. Inspecting, and replacing, these parts can increase the life of your septic system and protect it from premature failure. Evaluating and maintaining your septic system is important for the health of your family, your community, and your bank account.
A “stitch in time saves nine” as the old saying goes and it holds true for septic systems too. Finding and fixing minor problems before they turn into more serious and expensive ones keeps your system working correctly and treating sewage properly. But you can’t fix what you don’t find. When your system is evaluated regularly and on-time, you're more likely to catch problems early and when they are less expensive to fix.
When a septic system and its components are in good working order, sewage moves through it, gets treated, and eventually gets dispersed as clean water. Septic systems that aren’t working properly may not be adequately treating sewage and can create public health risks well beyond the immediate location of the system. Failing septic systems could contaminate the groundwater we pull from our wells to drink. They can leak raw sewage into nearby ditches or streams which travel downstream to our beaches where we swim, boat, and fish. Similarly, sewage contaminated waters can impact shellfish beds making oysters, clams, and mussels unsafe for people to harvest and eat. Flies, rats, and other vectors can encounter sewage from a failing septic system. They can later pass the diseases found in sewage to humans or infect other animals at locations far from the failing system.
You may be hesitant to get your system evaluated, especially if it's an older system or you are concerned it's not working properly. Worrying that your septic system might be failing can feel overwhelming and scary. It may seem easier to ignore the potential problems and avoid the dreaded costs associated with replacing a system. However, the County does have resources to help you sort through the problems and identify options if repairs are needed.
Technical Assistance: Whatcom County Health Specialists can provide explanations of how septic systems work, help pinpoint potential problems, and provide guidance for fixing problems.
Rebate Program: Whatcom County hosts a septic rebate program that can reimburse you for costs associated with a system evaluation, installation of operation and maintenance equipment, or septic tank pumping.
Using, maintaining, and evaluating your septic system properly keeps the long-term costs of having a septic system down and reduces the chance that your septic system will fail prematurely. Good stewardship of your septic system is also good stewardship of the health of your community and the environment around you. Maintaining your septic system (and fixing it if it fails) is part of keeping our communities and environment healthy. When you maintain your septic system you’re part of the solution, and you're helping improve water quality in your neighborhood and for the community downstream.
Who you gonna call?
Inspection: After taking the online class you may be ready to inspect your own system (but not everyone can do that, or wants to do that, so let’s get some professional help. Some septic system types, like Glendon Biofilters, require professional inspection and can't be self-evaluated.
The list of Licenced Operation and Maintenance Specialists in Whatcom County is here. Prices range from $175 to $280 for a gravity system, plus a ferry fee and tax. Connie Taylor in Blaine serves Lummi Island and Baker Septic in Ferndale lists 6 Specialists that service the island, so shop around. You can submit receipts to Whatcom County OSS Rebate program and get $100 back. Nice!
Or, like we mentioned, take the course online, and DIY.
Pumping: Now that your system been evaluated, you’ll know if it's time to pump the tank empty and start anew. The field of Licenced Septic Pumpers in Whatcom County is much smaller, with only 6 located in the Ferndale/Bellingham area. Rates from $550 to $675. Again, shop around. Remember, you don’t have to pump until the solids (sludge and scum) consume 33% of your tank volume. Checking for this when the tank starts to get close to this is the best way to avoid unnecessary pumping charges. You can get a rebate of up to $200 for pumping, so that really helps.
The toliet paper test
Try this simple test of your toilet tissue that Richard Muehlhausen passed along in our last article. Tear off a foot or two of your current tissue, put it in a jar half full of water, and shake it about 5-10 times. Did it break down into lots of tiny pieces? If not, you may wish to change brand.
Equipment Installation: Rebates of up to $100 are available every three years to do things like install an outlet filter as Steve suggested last month to protect your drainfield from clogging up. Or installing tank risers shown below and lids to make future inspections a breeze. This is available through Amazon, with riser, lid and seal for under $200. Local hardware stores sell them for about $300 to $400.
Septic tank risers make a buried tank more accessible.
Financial assistance to replace a failed septic system
Whatcom County and nonprofit lender Craft3 are partners in the regional Clean Water Loan program to offer affordable loans to repair or replace failing septic systems and, if approved by the county, to connect to municipal sewer systems.
Clean Water Loan Program
Finances the full cost of designing, permitting, installing and maintaining your septic system.
Competitive interest rates and no up-front costs.
Highly inclusive for a range of incomes and property types (including commercial and non-owner occupied).
Deferred payment options may be available for homeowners with lower incomes.
All loans include a $2,000 reserve to support the system’s ongoing health.
Learn more and apply at www.Craft3.org/CleanWater. You can also contact Craft3 at CleanWater@Craft3.org and 888-231-2170.
