The Bureaucrats Have Been Busy
By Jim Palmer Jr.

Recently a home owner shared a letter that was written by the Spokane Regional Health Department concerning their septic system.  It read in part, “In accordance with WAC 246-272A-0270, Spokane Regional Health District requires owners of on-site sewage systems to obtain and renew operation permits.  Owners shall assure a complete evaluation of the system components and/or property to determine functionality, maintenance needs and compliance with regulations and any permits, a) at least once every three years for systems consisting solely of a septic tank and gravity drain field; b) Annually for all other systems.  Your current permit is set to expire.”

Most folks don’t have a clue that this department has any lingering supervision of their septic system.  In fact most people have not had a single thought about their septic system since they bought the place or installed the system.  Flush and forget is about how it usually goes, until the point of sale when informed brokers influence a buyer to cause a septic system to be inspected and pumped. 

This Washington Administrative Code has been effective since July 2007 and yet most people have never heard of this oversight requirement by the Regional Health District.  I find it frustrating that legislators continue to pass regulation that is unenforceable.  I’m surprised that they had the time to even write this letter to this concerned landowner.  When I called several times to get an explanation, I sat on hold for about a half hour each time and never did get to a live person.  Evidently there is not enough manpower to answer the phones, let alone come out to your home to be sure you comply with this ridiculous regulation.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe home owners should be conscientious enough to monitor and maintain such an important system of their home especially since a failure could have a huge ecological impact on ground water. But I don’t believe you need “Big Brother” breathing down your neck!  Septic Systems, (mini-waste treatment plants) should be maintained in proper working order to assure they are actually treating and converting raw sewage into clean water that can be properly introduced back into the surrounding ground water.  Just because you don’t see stinking gray water bubbling up out of the ground doesn’t mean your system is actually working properly. Plan to take a closer look at your system on a regular schedule.