Although there are some sanitary sewer systems in the islands (in places like Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and Eastsound on Orcas), the vast majority of homes here use a septic system. The first stop for most home wastewater is a septic tank. In the tank, solids settle out, greases and oils float, and the first steps of wastewater treatment take place in the “soup” in between. The digestion that takes place in the tank is basically the same process that happens in our own guts. The digestion is an anaerobic process (that is, without oxygen) and is carried out by microorganisms excreted from our gastrointestinal tracts. The clarified and digested waste then heads out to the leach field to be absorbed and filtered by the soil.
This is all well and good if the system is in good shape, leak free and its balance hasn’t been altered or destroyed by toxic substances sent down the drain. In order to assure that the septic systems in the County are working and in good condition, periodic inspections are required. The state has mandates regarding the frequency of inspections required for different types of systems (such as gravity, mound, sand filter and pressure) and these inspections can be expensive. Certified inspectors charge up to $550 for performing the inspections and the County charges a $20 fee for filing the inspection reports.
But, you have an alternative. The San Juan County Health and Community Services Department offers septic tank inspection classes. The classwork takes two and a half hours and graduates are certified to perform the state-mandated inspections on their own property.
The classes were quite popular last year. Organizers maintained waiting lists for many sessions. The Health Department is now accepting registrations for 2009 classes. The classes are free, but advanced registration is required. To register or learn more, call (360) 378-4474. Below you’ll find a list of the classes scheduled to date (times may vary slightly due to ferry schedule changes)
