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24.17.180 Operation and maintenance.
(1) The OSS owner is responsible for properly operating, monitoring and maintaining the OSS to minimize the risk of failure, and to accomplish this purpose shall:
(a) Immediately notify and request assistance from CCPH upon occurrence of a system failure or suspected system failure:
(i) When critical deficiencies are identified during an operation and maintenance inspection, correct said deficiencies within thirty (30) days of the inspection;
(b) Obtain approval from the health officer before repairing, modifying or expanding an OSS;
(c) Secure and at all times maintain a current contract for periodic maintenance for all alternative systems and all conventional gravity systems utilizing a lift pump and where required by CCPH:
(i) All maintenance contracts executed pursuant to the requirements of this chapter shall include:
(A) A provision requiring that the O&M service provider enter the property only upon consent by the owner; however, such consent may be provided in advance if the owner agrees to allow entry without notification by so signifying in writing on the contract itself;
(B) A written description of the frequency of required inspections per Chapter 246-272A WAC, the cost of such inspections, and the estimated cost of any laboratory testing to be provided;
(d) Assure a complete evaluation of the system components and/or property by a certified O&M specialist to determine functionality, maintenance needs and compliance with this chapter and any permits. A report of system status containing this information shall be completed at the time of the evaluation and submitted electronically to CCPH. Fees per report as established by the board of health shall be paid to CCPH within thirty (30) days of submission of data:
(i) At least once every three (3) years for all conventional gravity systems without a lift pump;
(ii) Annually for all other systems unless more frequent inspections are specified by the health officer;
(e) Employ a certified pumper to remove the septage from the tank when the level of solids and scum indicates that removal is necessary;
(f) Provide maintenance and needed repairs to promptly return the system to a proper operating condition;
(g) Protect the OSS area and the reserve area from:
(i) Cover by structures or impervious material;
(ii) Surface drainage and direct drains, such as footing or roof drains. The drainage must be directed away from the area where the OSS is located;
(iii) Soil compaction, for example, by vehicular traffic or livestock; and
(iv) Damage by soil removal and grade alteration;
(h) Keep the flow of sewage to the OSS at or below the approved operating capacity and sewage quality;
(i) Operate and maintain systems as directed by the health officer;
(j) Request assistance from the health officer upon occurrence of a system failure or suspected system failure;
(k) Ensure that a current report of system status is on file with CCPH when a property served by an OSS is offered for sale. The report of system status is considered current for purposes of this subsection if it was completed within one (1) year of the date of sale;
(l) Transferor’s Notice of On-Site Septic System to Transferee. At the time of property transfer, the transferor must provide to the transferee, a copy of the current operation and maintenance inspection report on file with Clark County public health, any available maintenance records, and a record drawing if not already on file, in addition to the completed seller disclosure statement in accordance with Chapter 64.06 RCW for residential real property transfers;
(m) When CCPH or the owner or industry becomes aware of any of the following conditions, the owner will be required to have notice placed to title by CCPH prior to issuance of a release letter to community development, approval of a site or OSS design, or issuance of a permit:
(i) Property containing:
(A) An alternative OSS;
(B) An OSS without a reserve area;
(C) An OSS that is nonconforming due to being a Table IX repair, seepage pit or drywell; or
(D) An OSS installed by a resident homeowner.
(ii) This notice to title will be effectuated by paying a processing fee to CCPH to record the required notice to title and will include the cost of recording notice to title (per Clark County fee schedule) to the county auditor. The county auditor will add applicable language, indicating the following, onto the title:
(A) For alternative OSSs:
The facility on this property is served by an on-site septic system that provides an appropriate level of treatment, which in order to function properly requires a minimum of yearly operation and maintenance inspections. A maintenance contract is required by Chapter 24.17 CCC.
(B) For OSSs without reserve areas:
The facility on this property is served by an on-site septic system that lacks an approved physical reserve area, so the current OSS cannot be expanded or relocated in the event of failure. A Table IX repair may be performed, if approved by the health officer.
(C) For OSSs that are nonconforming due to Table IX repairs, seepage pits, or drywells:
The facility on this property is served by an on-site septic system, that is (a) a seepage pit/drywell, or (b) a Table IX repair, and is therefore a non-conforming system that may require connection to public sewer when sewer is made available within 300 feet of the property line. A maintenance contract for Table IX repaired OSS is required per Chapter 24.17 CCC.
(D) For owner installed OSSs:
This property is served by an OSS that has been installed by a resident homeowner.
(2) Persons shall not:
(a) Use or introduce strong bases, acids or chlorinated organic solvents into an OSS for the purpose of system cleaning;
(b) Use a sewage system additive unless it is specifically approved by DOH; or
(c) Use an OSS to dispose of waste components atypical of residential wastewater.
(3) The health officer shall require annual inspections of an OSS serving food service establishments and may require pumping as needed. (Sec. 19 of Ord. 2007-10-01)