However, according to Washington State law, it is illegal to impact neighbors with smoke, odor, or ash. There are also well defined smoke density restrictions.  

Please be thoughtful of our neighbors who have breathing issues that are affected by smoke.

For more information, you may read the brochures below from the North West Clean Air Agency.

WoodHeatingBroch

WoodSmokeandYourHealth

Septic Systems and Inspections

Men’s Breakfast

September 17, 2011

Newell Firehouse

Speaker: Joe Laxson

IslandCountyEnvironmental Health Specialist

Joe Laxson of Island County Public Health gave a Power Point presentation to about 30 neighbors at the Men’s Breakfast, giving a quick, but well explained, overview of the function, use, and maintenance of septic systems and the current regulations governingIslandCounty.

In an average Island County household, water waste that goes into a septic system includes approximately the following relative amounts:

Washer – 22%

Toilet – 28%

Shower – 21%

Bath– 9%

Faucet – 12%

Leaks – 5%

Leaks are a common cause of septic failure. You can often hear a small leak, particularly in a toilet, but larger leaks are typically not audible.

In conventional gravity systems, most purification of waste water occurs through soil absorption. A conventional gravity system needs a depth of at least 3 feet of good loamy soil above the water table to work efficiently. This is a simple system that can be inspected by certified owners and reported to the county once every 3 years. Some conventional systems have a pump incorporated to move wastewater to a certain portion of a property.  These conventional pump systems require annual inspection – but may also be inspected by a homeowner.  To inspect these systems, a homeowner needs to invest approximately 7 hours to become certified by Island County Public Health.  This training is completed by attending homeowner training classes; some of which may be completed online training, or by attending classes and watching a tutorial DVD available.

All other systems are considered alternative systems, are more complex, and must be inspected yearly only by professionals.IslandCounty regulations reflect state regulations following the thinking that more complex systems have more components to be maintained and are at greater risk of failure, regardless of the number or type of alarm systems included. However, there is currently little data in the state ofWashington on failure rates of alternative systems vs. gravity systems.

The new thinking about septic systems is that they can be permanent if they are properly designed, installed, used, and maintained. Systems are rated for the number of bedrooms, calculating 2 persons per bedroom, for use.IslandCounty has been keeping records since the 1950’s so any homeowner may contact the Public Health department to find out if the “Asbuilt,” Record Drawing is on file to help determine where all the component parts of a system have been installed.

Once the system has been properly designed and installed, all residents using septic systems are responsible for its proper maintenance and proper usage.

There are several free booklets available through the Island County Health Department. Some tips include the following.

Usage

So that the system has enough time to separate out solid waste, avoid using a lot of water in a short period of time. Spread laundry loads throughout the week, limiting the number of loads per day, washing only full loads. Do not run the washing machine and the dish washer at the same time. For a septic system to work properly it needs about 24 hours to process; too much usage can push solid material past the septic tank into more sensitive components of the system.

Because tanks eventually need to be pumped out, avoid usage that fills it up too quickly. Don’t use a garbage disposal; it greatly increases the scum layer, adding solid content to your septic system. It is best to use liquid concentrate laundry detergent instead of powders that have fillers and other particles which collect in septic tanks because they don’t fully dissolve. (Phosphates have been phased out of detergents because they promote algae growth.)

Limit the amount of bleach used because is kills the good bacteria needed in a functioning septic system. Use liquid bleach and use less than most product labels call for. Never use 1 cup of bleach; 1 TBSP should be sufficient.

Never use caustic drain cleaners.

Do not put the following items down the drain: kitty litter, coffee grounds, hair combings, cigarette butts, diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, fat, grease, oil, prescription drugs, paint, thinner, or paper products other than toilet paper.

Don’t wash paint brushes in the sink.

Don’t waste money on additives. (Everything needed for proper functioning of a septic system comes from human waste.)

Protect the drain field, no heavy loads, no driving upon it, no horses.

Divert rain runoff to another area.

Install an effluent filter.

Maintenance:

There are three parts to maintenance,

1. Inspection
2. Pumping
3. Repairs

For conventional gravity systems, owners can be certified to do their own inspection every 3 years.

For conventional pump systems, owners can be certified to do their own inspection every 3 years.

For alternative systems that must be inspected annually, it is recommended to get 3 to 5 quotes for this work since prices vary considerably. Sample questions to ask can be found on the county website.

When a tank is about 1/3 full of solids, it needs to be pumped out. The frequency of pumping  systems depends on the usage of the system and the need for it can be determined through these inspections. Pumping out a system does not automatically include an inspection, however.

Currently in Island County, there have been about 5,000 inspections submitted.

There has been about 18% compliance with the current septic regulations. The county is spending effort on education at this time with enforcement focused on the most needed areas of concern such asHolmesHarbor where enforcement is now 99% complete. There are no septic police. There is a notification system in place for enforcement. The first letter is a reminder with 30 days notice to comply. The second letter is a warning with 30 days notice to comply. The third letter is a notice of violation with 30 days to comply. The enforcement can then be reinforced with financial penalties.

For further information please contact Joe Laxson at 360-678-7910 or email at: j.laxson@co.island.wa.us. You may also read more information on the county website at www.islandcountyeh.org.

For the home page about onsite septic systems see:

www.islandcountyeh.org/Page/98

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Newly elected Board Members:

Paul Morris

Vicki Theel

Nancy Skullerud

Alternate: Linda Beller