TED-DEE BEAR Septic

UPDATE: Beginning February 1st 2012
As you have heard some fees have been removed by the Clark County Health Dept at the end of December, this allowed for January rates to go down, but we have been informed that rates will be going up for the disposal of septage at the treatment plants. Which means beginning the 1st of February rates for pumping will increase. Our inspection rates will remain at the new reduced rate.

Dec 30th- Clark County Health dept fees:
Click here to read the news release from the Clark County Health Dept
The commissioners have approved the property tax for septic systems. This increase will replace the fee we have collected from customers and sent to the county for gallons pumped from septic systems, including the $20 collected for filing inspection reports.

A Few septic hints:

• Maintenance on your septic system can prevent possible damage to the soil and water in the ground around your home, and may extend the useful life of your system.


• Don't use powdered soaps in the washer or dishwasher, this can create a buildup and has been the culprit to a back up problem in a lot of our service calls.


• Over excessive use of toilet paper can cause some backups.


• BACKING UP - First thing to check ... uncover the inlet lid close to the home, if you can see the baffle, (it is the pipe coming from house plumbing into your tank, this is one of the most frequent places that cause a back-up in a home) Clear the buildup within the pipe area and you may just get flowing again with no money out of your pocket.


• Even if it says it dissolves and is safe for septic's, it doesn't say how long it will take to dissolve!


• Don't use your toilet as a garbage can! If you put junk down the toilet, you will need to have the tank pumped more often!


• Tank is full - Septic tanks normal operating level is approx. 10 inches below ceiling of the tank. Pumping is determined by the amount of sludge and scum levels in the tank.


• Having access risers on your septic compartment(s) can be a benefit to you. Backing up ... just uncover the lid and check to see if the baffle is plugged, many times we have been called out for emergency pumping, only to find that it is the inlet baffle plugged up.


• No baby wipes, pre moist wipes, q-tips, female or male products, coffee grounds, don't rinse paint brushes and rollers, etc... Do not flush!


• Excessive use of bleach can kill the good bacteria in your tank. Go easy on bleach in the laundry!


• Drain cleaning products - using too often can upset the balance of a septic system.


• You don't need to buy additives to put in your system, if treated right, your natural bacteria is good enough.


• In 1994, the Washington State legislature amended its 1993 position by adding the statement that, "Chemical additives do, and other types may, contribute to septic system failure and groundwater contamination."

If you are searching on GIS for property information

A lot of customers have gone to the county property site expecting to find the information about their septic inspection. Please note the program is behind in the links for current data of septic inspections. To get the most current data you need to go to the onlineRME site..

Is your inspection due now....

Make sure to check the date on your notice from the health dept. They send out the post cards early and you don't want to have the inspection and or pumping, until the month it is due. Save your money until it is time!

Looking for the list of certified inspectors...

Click here to go to the Clark County Health Dept list of OM I & OM II inspectors in the local area.

Skamania County list of septic inspectors and pumpers

Cowlitz County home owners click here to go to list of certified inspectors in your area.

The county requirement for septic inspections: Jan, 2010

If you have a pressure distribution system and no other components with it, you now have 2 year inspections. Click here to read the news release from the Clark County Health Dept.

Community Involvement

We are proud we have been able to support : One of the many sponsors to Eric Sayre Racing and Sonny Sayre Racing N.C.C.F.B. - North County Community Food Bank for the A.P.P.L.E. Cruise-in for the past 10 years. We are sorry to say the Food Bank has decided to no longer hold a cruise in. We have enjoyed sponsoring and participating in this annual event and wish great success in the future fund raisers the Food Bank holds. Evergreen Little League Girls softball team Dwight "Red" Van Dyne racing One of the many organizations supporting Cub Scouts Pack 450 of Washougal WA American Cancer Society -having been one of the many sponsors for ACS Relay For Life for East Clark County. Members of: WOSSA (Washington Onsite Sewage Association), AARP, Washington State Grange, Dollars Corner Moose Lodge, Washington Farm Bureau

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