Annual Operation and Maintenance

Homeowners Requirements

Maintain a service contract with a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Certified Maintenance Provider: You must remain under contract with a licensed provider for the life of the system.
A certified maintenance provider under contract must conduct inspections of the onsite system at least once every year. The report must be submitted electronically through OnlineRME for review to meet Oregon requirements.
Annual fees must be collected by the maintenance provider.

These rules are outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) OAR 340-071

What is Septic System Maintenance?

Septic maintenance is essential for the health and operation of your advanced treatment septic system. Annual maintenance increases the life span of your system and may circumvent premature failure. Failing systems are a public health hazards (due to the sewage containing pathogens that cause diseases).

Recommendations:

Have your septic system inspected and tanked pumped regularly.
Conserve water don't overload your system.
Substitute for bleach and ammonia cleaners. Do not flush household chemical, medicines or hazardous material etc.
Plant grass on drainfield. Do not plant deep rooted plants, keep shrubs or trees from growing into your drainfield do not drive or let large animals walk over systems.

Septic tanks should be pumped regularly (every 3 years or so). The frequency of pumping depends on the size of your household, the medications you take and what size of tank you have. Septic tanks should be pumped when the solids fill approximately 1/3 of the tank.

All water used inside your home feeds into your septic system. Use water efficient fixtures. Spread the use of your washing machine out do not complete laundry one day of the week. Only flush water and toilet paper, nothing else.

Drainfields should never be drove over, paved or have livestock access. Runoff needs to be directed away from the drainfield area. Avoid planting deep rooted plants, trees and water loving shrubs and trees.

Check out Septic Smart Homeowner Guide for more information regarding caring for your septic system.

Operations and Maintenance

Sand filter or pressure distribution systems permitted on or after January 2, 2014, and all ATT systems must be maintained by a certified maintenance provider. Owners of these systems are required hold a maintenance contract with a DEQ certified maintenance provider at all times. Additionally, maintenance providers for Alternative Treatment Technology (ATT) systems must be certified by the manufacturer.

Components of Oregon's Operations and Maintenance Program

A service contract with a DEQ Certified Maintenance Provider. The initial contract is good for two years, and the owner must remain under contract with a maintenance provider for the life of the system.
Annual inspection report: The certified maintenance provider under contract must conduct and inspection of the onsite system at least once every year. This report must be submitted to OnlineRME for review to meet Oregon requirements.
Annual report evaluation fee: The maintenance provider under contract must pay the annual report fee.

Maintenance Provider's Responsibilities

Annual maintenance reports are required to be submitted to OnlineRME along with payments on the customers behalf.

Review conditions of the system and provide documentation to the customers.
Make Necessary repairs to comply with Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR).
Make emergency service available within 48 hours of a service request.
Notify the local jurisdiction within 30 days of the maintenance agreement termination or expiration if the agreement is terminated or not renewed (this must be updated in Lincoln County through OnlineRME).
Certifications are required by the ATT manufacturer to provide maintenance on the product.

Property Owner Responsibilities

Homeowners must pay for maintaining a service agreement with a DEQ licensed certified maintenance provider for the life of the system.

Initial service agreement: A minimum two-year maintenance agreement with a DEQ licensed and certified maintenance provider is required with all ATT, sand filter, and pressure distraction construction permit applications.

Yearly maintenance agreement: After the initial agreement, the property owner must obtain a valid maintenance contract with a DEQ licensed and certified maintenance provider for the life of the system. Contracts can be ongoing or termed.

Transfer of ownership: If the property owner changes, the new owner must sign a transfer of contract agreement with the maintenance provider or obtain a new maintenance agreement.

Owners are responsible for the proper maintenance of the septic system to ensure the system will not cause a public health hazard or pollutes public waters. This responsibility includes:

Allowing maintenance providers safe access to the property.
Following maintenance provider recommendations for proper usage.
Permitting maintenance providers to make necessary repairs to the system and it's components.