TED-DEE BEAR Septic

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.


• Have you seen the commercials about using a product to maintain your system, between inspections.
  There is no reason you need to add any additives to maintain the operation of your septic. Your natural bacteria works fine! Hang on to your money!


• 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!


• Medications - I have had several inquiries concerning medications and septic systems. Some of us have been through the cancer regiment or you may be going through it right now and wondering about all the drugs going into the septic system.
  After some research I have found that the unofficial consensus is to wait until you are done with treatments and then have the system pumped.
  Some of you may be taking other medications or needing to use a strong disinfectant, our suggestion would be to have your system checked regularly to ensure it is not killing the natural bacteria, which helps keep your system operating


• Tank is full - Don't panic a septic tanks normal operating level is approx. 10 inches below ceiling of the tank. The 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.


• 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.

Clark County:
As you may have heard some fees have been removed by the Clark County Health Dept at the end of 2011, this has allowed us to reduce our inspection rates, but the disposal of septage at the treatment plants has raised the processing fee for 2012. Unfortunately this means an increase in pumping fees.

Cowlitz County septic systems:
Cowlitz County is moving forward with a new fee to help them establish and maintain a septic operations and maintenance program. They will be charging a tip fee for every gallon, like the Clark County Health Dept. previously had prior to this year. What this means to all Cowlitz County septic owners, is a cost increase to pump and dispose of septage.

Skamania County septic systems:
Skamania county has always had and continues to have a tip fee. They are currently working on their septic program and changes may come in the future, will keep you posted.

2011, 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.

2010, January -The county requirement for septic inspections:
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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