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On-Site Sewage ProgramThe purpose of this program is to permit, inspect and investigate complaints associated with on-site sewage systems. Anyone who installs, alters or repairs an on-site sewage system is required to first obtain a permit from the Benton-Franklin Health District. Installation of a system requires site and soil evaluations to prevent environmental contamination.We also maintain records of existing on-site sewage systems for your convenience. To assist in this process, please have your address, legal description of your parcel and tax ID number available. Construction of on-site sewage systemsThe permitting process
Location of on-site sewage systemsExisting System Evaluations
Other on-site system questions:Maintenance of your system
How do I get a permit to install a new on-site sewage system? -TOP-The first step in the process is to fill out an application. To download an application to install a new system click here. The owner of the property must sign the application and we must have an original signature (we do not accept faxes).On the back of the application or on a separate sheet of paper, submit a site plan and system design. A site plan will show where you plan on locating your home, driveway or patio, outbuildings or inground pools. It must also show the existing roads, structures on the property and slope of the land. In addition, you will need to show the location of any wells - yours or your neighbor's. Please see the chart below for the setbacks you will need to maintain when planning your on-site septic system. The system design will show the proposed location of the septic tank, drainfield and replacement drainfield area. The replacement drainfield area is equal to the size of the original drainfield and must be kept free from driveways, roads, buildings, patios, swimming pools, etc. The minimum size of a drainfield for a residential system is no less than 330 square feet. A drainfield is measured by the length of the drainline (varies depending on the soil type) multiplied by the width of the drainline (3 feet), then multiplied by the number of drainlines. The number of drainlines will vary depending on number of bedrooms in the home. Drainlines are set a minimum of 10 feet apart, center to center. Since the soil types may not be known at the time you are drawing up your site plan and system design, use one 55' line for each bedroom in your home, with a minimum of two lines (2 bedroom home), If your lot is in an established subdivision you may wish to contact this office to inquire about soil conditions and if sizing requirements may be known. Once the test holes are dug (click here for more information on testholes) your proposed system may need to be modified. Your inspector will work with you regarding any changes that are needed. An example of the site plan and system design is shown below and to the right:(click to enlarge) 
Include the following on your site plan:
Sizing your system: -TOP-There are two main components of your system that must meet sizing requirements: the septic tank and the drainfield. The size of these components is based on the number of bedrooms in your home and the type of soils present in the location of the drainfield.
Drainfield:To properly size your drainfield, we must determine the type of soils available on your property. This is done by digging a test hole 8-10 feet deep and looking at the type of soils present, distance to groundwater and lack of restrictive layers, such as coletche or basalt. The type of soil present determines the square feet of drainfield needed times the number of bedrooms. The square feet of drainfield needed varies depending on the soil type. Your inspector will help you determine the size of drainfield needed.Once you have completed the application and site plan, submit these documents and the appropriate fee to: Benton-Franklin Health District 7102 W Okanogan Pl Kennewick, WA 99336 Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. to noon 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. If you need further assistance, please give us a call at (509) 460 4205. The permitting process. -TOP-Once the application and fee are received in our office, you will receive a phone call from the inspector who will be working with you. This call will set up a time for the inspector to come out and physically inspect the property. Depending on the records that we have regarding the soil types on the property, you may need to arrange for a backhoe to meet the inspector at the property so that test holes may be dug.
A test hole is dug 8-10 feet deep. It will show the type of soils on the property, whether or not ground water is present, or if any restrictive layers are present. It is best to arrange for a backhoe to be at the site at the same time as the inspector so that if one hole does not show acceptable soils, another can be dug easily in another place. It is your responsibility to arrange for the backhoe.
If the acceptable site for the septic system has been relocated from the original plans, a new site plan must be drawn up. You will need to sign off on this revision. Once this is done, the permit is issued. Once issued, the permit is good for one year.
Depending on the schedule of your inspector, the permitting process takes approximately 3 weeks. How do I get a permit to repair or alter an already existing system?If your system is failing (click here for signs of a failing system), the first step you need to take is to obtain a permit to repair it. You may download the application by clicking here. Submit the application and appropriate fee to the Benton-Franklin Health District. An inspector will contact you as soon as possible to set up a time to come out and physically inspect the property and discuss repair options. The need for a test hole will be discussed at this time.How much does the permit cost? -TOP-
Final Inspection. -TOP-After the installer has put in your system and before the system has been backfilled, you or the installer will need to contact the Health District to arrange for a final inspection. This is done by filling out a Request for Final Inspection form. Click here for the Request for a Final Inspection form. To submit your request via e-mail Click here. Once the system passes the final inspection, it is ready for use. A copy of the "as-built" showing the final location of the system will be mailed to you and the original will be kept on file at the Health District.Who can install an on-site sewage system? -TOP-A licensed installer must install your system. Click here for a list of licensed installers in Benton and Franklin Counties.Where is my on-site sewage system located? -TOP-Every owner of an on-site sewage system needs to know where the on-site sewage system is located in order to properly maintain it. Pumpers may charge you extra to locate and/or dig up the lids to the septic tank so that they are able to pump the septic tank. If you do not know where your system is located, you may be able to obtain this information from our offices. This document is called an "as-built," and it is a drawing of the location of your system when it was inspected by our office after it was completed.As built: -TOP-You may request a copy of your as-built (the drawing of the location of your septic system on your property) by completing the online form, coming into our offices, or calling us at (509) 460 4205. Regardless of the method you use to request this document, you will need to provide the following information:Required Information: Name of property owners(s): Tax Parcel ID#: Physical address of the system or road name*: *If your address was once a "route #, box #" please include the roads/streets that the property is located on and by. For example, "the property is on 30th Avenue between Spruce and Verbena." Requestor Name: Requestor phone number: (So we call you if there is a question or need for more information.) How would you like to receive your "as-built": (1)Mail? Please list your mailing address. (2)I will pick it up. (3)Phone number: PLEASE NOTE: Before 1975, permits were not required by law. If your system was installed before 1975, no records may be available. Locating your system.If your system was installed before 1975 and no records are available, here are some tips to help you locate your system:
Why do I need a permit to build an addition to my home, a garage or shop, add a pool, patio, etc.? -TOP-Changes made on your property can affect the life of your on-site sewage system, reducing the return on your investment, and the ability to market the property later.The original septic tank and drainfield were sized according to the number of bedrooms in the home at the time of installation and the location of the home on the property. Adding more bedrooms increases the number of people that can live in the home. More people living in the home adds to the amount of water and sewage entering your system, putting more of a load on the system, which decreases its life. Adding rooms, additions, garages, shops, etc. to your home/property may change the setback requirements for your system, as well as use up space already set aside as a reserve area for the drainfield. An inspector will review the records and conduct an on-site evaluation to make sure that the system is still sized correctly for the home, that any additional buildings and/or roads or driveways will stay within the required setbacks, and that the reserve area for the drainfield is still intact. To download an application for the "Existing System Evaluation," click here. Once the application is completed and submitted to our office with the appropriate fee, an inspector will contact you about conducting a site evaluation and any further information they may need. Part of this process requires that the septic tank be pumped within the past 3 years. If you have not pumped your tank within the past 3 years you will need to do so. The inspector will want to be at your property while this is being done. If you have had the tank pumped recently, please have the receipt from the pumper available for inspection. This process takes approximately 1-2 weeks. I am replacing the home on my property with a new one, what do I need? -TOP-You will need to do an "Existing System Evaluation." This process makes sure that the existing system is sized appropriately for the new home (the number of bedrooms in the new home is the same as the old home) and that the placement of the home on the property does not interfere with the setback requirements or reserve area for the drainfield.To download an application for this process, click here. Once the application is completed and submitted to our office with the appropriate fee, an inspector will contact you about conducting a site evaluation and any further information they may need. Part of this process requires that the septic tank be pumped within the past 3 years. If you have not pumped your tank within the past 3 years you will need to do so. The inspector will want to be at your property while this is being done. If you have had the tank pumped, please have the receipt from the pumper available for inspection. This process takes approximately 1-2 weeks. How do I have my system evaluated for mortgage purposes? -TOP-If you need to have your system evaluated in order to sell or refinance your property, click here to download an application for a mortgage certification.This process consists of:
What if my property will not allow for a conventional gravity flow system? -TOP-We make every effort to find an acceptable location to install a conventional gravity flow system, however, in some cases the soil types are not suitable, a restrictive layer is present or groundwater is too close to the surface for this type of system. In these cases an engineered system may be required. The inspector will advise you what type of alternative system you will need. For more information the types of alternative systems available, click here. There is an additional fee of $297.00 required to review the system design. You will also need to hire en engineer to design the system for you.Maintenance of your systemHow does a septic system work? -TOP-First, household wastewater flows into the septic tank. In the tank, heavy solids settle to the bottom forming a layer of sludge, while grease and light solids float to the top forming a scum layer. As more wastewater enters the septic tank from the house, the separated wastewater in the middle layer of the tank is either pushed out or pumped into the drainfield. Microorganisms living within the drainfield consume leftover waste particles and harmful germs and viruses.The sludge and scum layers remain in the tank where naturally-occurring "good" bacteria work to break them down. Since the bacteria cannot completely decompose all of these solids, the layers continue to grow, slowly filling up the tank. These solids will eventually have to be pumped out. How often should I pump? -TOP-Many septic owners believe that if they haven't had any problems with their systems, they don't need to pump out their septic tanks. This is an unfortunate misconception. As your septic system is used, solid materials settle to the bottom of the tank, forming a sludge layer. Grease and lightweight materials float to the surface of the septic tank as scum. Normally, properly designed tanks have enough space for up to 3 years' safe accumulation of sludge. When the sludge level increases beyond this point, sewage has less time to settle properly before leaving the tank. As the sludge level increases, more solid wastes escape into the drainfield. If the drainfield becomes so clogged that it cannot absorb liquid at the rate at which it enters the septic tank, the plumbing will "back up" or unsanitary wastewater will bubble to the surface. It is important to note that the drainfield will not fail immediately when a full tank is not pumped. However, continued neglect will result in costly system failure.This chart will help you estimate, in years, how often to have your septic tank pumped. It is based on the size of your tank and the number of people in your home.
Regardless of your individual pumping schedule, a septic system should be inspected every 3 years. Your septic tank should be pumped at a minimum of every 5 years. Click here for a list of pumpers. How can I maintain my system? -TOP-Septic systems can function very well with minimal care. In fact, most septic tanks will only require an inspection and pumping out by a professional every three years if they are used properly. Most modern septic systems have a life span of nearly 25 years. Here are some helpful hints you should follow to have a long-lived and trouble-free operating septic system:DO THESE THINGS:
DON'T DO THESE THINGS:
What are the signs of a failing system? -TOP-The most obvious signs of failures:
If you have any of these signs or believe your system is failing, contact the Health District immediately. You will be advised to fill out an application for a repair and submit it with the appropriate fee. Once the application is received, an inspector will be out within two days to inspect your system and to advise you as to the repair of that system. You will be responsible for hiring a professional installer to repair the system. Once the system has been repaired and before it is backfilled, the inspector will do a final check of the system. Click here for the "Request for Final Inspection" form. You will be sent a copy of the final inspection and the "as built," which shows the location of the repair. |
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About the BFHD 
Benton Franklin Health District