Wastewater Management and Water Protection Publications - by topic

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Wastewater Management Publications - Listed by Topic Area

Approved / Registered On-site Products (listings and application forms) for use in Washington State

Home Owner / Property Manager Publications

Large On-site Sewage Systems (LOSS) Application Forms and Publications

Newsletters Newsletters issued by the Wastewater Management Section

Rules and Regulations (WAC and RCW)

Recommended Standards and Guidance (RS&G) Documents

Sewage Tanks Information

Technical Information and References for on-site industry professionals, local health jurisdictions, and the public

Technical Issue Reports summarize the available literature about on-site wastewater topics of special interest

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Approved / Registered On-site Products

New Additive Review Application for Approval (Word 181 kb) - October 2011.
NOTE: Approval by DOH only means that DOH has determined that the additive is not harmful or toxic; it does not mean that DOH endorses the use of any additive product for sewage systems.
Annual Renewal Form Proprietary Products (Word 217 kb) - September 2011. An electronic form to request renewal for a registered proprietary product for use in Washington State. This form includes the required Verification Affidavit.
Application for Sewage Tank Registration (Word 185 kb) - An electronic form to apply to register sewage tanks for use in Washington State. This form must be completed for new and renewal registrations. For renewals, see also Verification Affidavit for Renewal of Sewage Tank Listing. (Word 151 kb)
Application for Registration Proprietary Distribution Product (Word 177 kb) - September 2011
Application for Registration Proprietary Treatment Product (Word 174 kb) - September 2011
List of Approved On-site Sewage System Additives (PDF 61 kb) - Updated January 2012
NOTE: Approval by DOH only means that DOH has determined that the additive is not harmful or toxic; it does not mean that DOH endorses the use of any additive product for sewage systems.
List of Registered On-site Treatment and Distribution Products (PDF 302 kb) - Updated January 2012
List of Registered Sewage Tanks (PDF 226 kb) - Updated February 2012
Verification Affidavit for Renewal of Sewage Tank Listing (Word 151 kb). This form must be completed when renewing sewage tank registration and returned with Application for Sewage Tank Registration. (Word 185)

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Home Owner / Property Manager Publications

A Homeowners Guide to Evaluating Service Contracts (PDF 176 kb) - August 2006. Developed and published by The Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment
Cleaning Up a Sewage Spill
Septic Systems - What to Do After the Flood - EPA
Septic Systems in Flooded and Wet Soil Conditions (PDF 1.1 MB) - February 2005. Developed and published by Purdue Extension
Septic Tank Additives (Questions and Answers) (PDF 121 kb) - from The Small Flows Quarterly, Winter 2002, reprinted with permission from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse, West Virginia University
Tier One Greywater System Checklist and Irrigation Area Estimation Tool (PDF 858 kb) - Revised September 2011
Tier Two and Three Greywater Subsurface Irrigation Systems - Guidance (PDF 650 kb) - Revised September 2011
Understanding and Caring for Your Mound System (PDF 276 kb) - Revised December 2004
Understanding and Caring for Your Pressure Distribution System (PDF 309 kb) - Revised December 2004
Understanding and Caring for Your Sand Filter System (PDF 350 kb) - Revised December 2004
Understanding and Caring for Your Septic Tank System (PDF 270 kb) - Revised December 2004

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LOSS (Large On-site Sewage Systems) Application Forms and Publications

Annual Maintenance and Monitoring Report form for LOSS (Word 211 kb) - October 2011
Construction Completion Report Form for LOSS (Word 93 kb) - Revised August 2011
Criteria for Sewage Works Design (Orange Book) - WA Dept of Ecology
Design Standards for Large On-Site Sewage Systems - UPDATE IN PROGRESS. If you have questions, please contact the Wastewater Management Section at (360) 236-3330 or email wastewatermgmt@doh.wa.gov.
Documents Cross Reference: Health & Ecology (PDF 201 kb) - December 2011
Engineering Report Checklist (PDF 4.3 MB) - December 2011
Existing System Questionnaire for existing systems without a DOH Permit (Word 137 kb) - Revised August 2011
Fact Sheet: Regulatory Authority of LOSS (PDF 31 kb) - July 2011
Fees and Billable Hours for LOSS
Flowchart of the LOSS Existing Project Review & Operating Permit Process (PDF 33 kb) - October 2011
Flowchart of the LOSS New Project Review & Approval Process (PDF 32 kb) - July 2011
Frequently Asked Questions: Regulatory Authority of Large On-site Sewage Systems - Chapter 70.118B RCW (PDF 36 kb) - July 2011
Frequently Asked Questions: Transfer of Large On-site Sewage Systems (14,500-100,000 gallons per day) from Department of Ecology to Department of Health (PDF 32 kb) - July 2011
Frequently Asked Questions: Transfer of Large On-site Sewage Systems (3,500-100,000 gallons per day) from Thurston County Public Health to Department of Health (PDF 31 kb) - August 2011
Glossary of Terms for Large On-site Sewage Systems (PDF 107 kb) - October 2011
How to Hire a Professional Engineer (PDF 117 kb) - September 2011
Inspection and Engineering Evaluation Guidance for Existing Systems (PDF 74 kb) - Revised October 2011
LOSS Operating Permit Application (Word 234 kb) - Revised September 2011
Management Agreement: Municipal Management / Oversight (PDF 97 kb) - January 2011
Management Agreement: Single Ownership (PDF 48 kb) - January 2011
Management of Large On-site Sewage Systems (LOSS) (PDF 45 kb) - August 2011
Plans & Specifications Checklist (PDF 6.8 MB) - December 2011
Predesign Report Requirements for LOSS (PDF 41 kb) - October 2011
Project Submittal form (LOSS) (Word 118 kb) - October 2011
Pressure Distribution Systems RS&G (PDF 498 kb) - Effective July 2007
Renewing Your LOSS Operating Permit (PDF 31 kb) - Effective January 2012
Site Risk Survey for LOSS (Word 193 kb) - July 2011
- Level 1 Nitrate Balance Instructions (PDF 287 kb) - July 2011
- Level 1 Nitrate Balance Spreadsheet (Excel 35 kb) - July 2011
What is a Large On-site Sewage System? (PDF 41 kb) - January 2012

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Newsletters

These are newsletters issued by the Office of Shellfish and Water Protection twice each year. The first issue (Winter 2009) was titled As it Flows. The title was changed to WWMS News starting with the Summer 2009 issue and in February 2011 was combined with the Shellfish Program newsletter to use state resources more efficiently.

Winter 2009 (PDF 121 kb)
Summer 2009 (PDF 805 kb)
Winter 2010 (PDF 969 kb)
February 2011 (PDF 363 kb)
August 2011 (PDF 422 kb)

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RS&Gs (Recommended Standards and Guidance) Documents

Alternating Drainfields (PDF 118 kb) - July 2007
Dosing Gravity Drainfield Systems (PDF 713 kb) - July 2007
Glossary of Terms for RS&Gs (PDF 164 kb) - July 2007
Gravelless Distribution Products (PDF 213 kb) - July 2007
Holding Tank Sewage System (PDF 96 kb) - July 2007
Intermittent Sand Filter Systems (PDF 192 kb) - July 2007
Mound Systems (PDF 2.2 MB) - July 2009
On-site Sewage System Tanks - Rescinded 12/31/09. This has been replaced by Chapter 246-272C WAC.
Pressure Distribution Systems (PDF 392 kb) - July 2009
Proprietary On-site Wastewater Treatment Products (PDF 166 kb) - July 2007
Recirculating Gravel Filter Systems (PDF 354 kb) - July 2007
Remediation Technologies and Processes (INTERIM) (PDF 111 kb) - September 2007
Sand Lined Trench Systems (PDF 294 kb) - July 2009
Stratified Sand Filter Treatment Systems (PDF 143 kb) - July 2007
Subsurface Drip Systems (PDF 659 kb) - July 2007
Water Conserving On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems (PDF 1 MB) - July 2007

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Rules and Regulations WACs and RCWs related to Wastewater Management

Sewage Tanks Information

Application for Sewage Tank Registration (Word 185 kb) - An electronic form to apply to register sewage tanks for use in Washington state. This form must be completed for new and renewal registrations. For renewals, see also Verification Affidavit for Renewal of Sewage Tank Listing. (Word 151 kb)
List of Registered Sewage Tanks (PDF 531 kb) - Updated August 2011
Verification Affidavit for Renewal of Sewage Tank Listing (Word 151 kb). This form must be completed when renewing sewage tank registration and returned with Application for Sewage Tank Registration. (Word 185)

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Technical Information and References

Basic Principles of Onsite Sewage (PDF 5.4 MB) - November 1992. This document was prepared prior to the adoption of the 1995 on-site sewage rules. For items specific to Washington State rules see Chapter 246-272A WAC
Design Guideline for Gravity Systems in Soil Type 1 (PDF 1.1 MB) - January 2009
EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual (PDF 534 kb) - February 2002. Referenced in Chapter 246-272A WAC, which governs on-site wastewater treatment systems.
Evaluate the Effectiveness of Chapter 246-272A WAC, the 2009 report as required by Chapter 246-272A-0425.
Granting Waivers from State On-Site Sewage System Regulations, An Application Guide for (PDF 345 kb) - Effective July 2007 Revised September 2009
Marine Recovery Area (MRA) Guidance: Supplemental to the On-Site Sewage System Management Plan Guidance (PDF 607 kb) - October 2006
Nitrogen Reducing Technologies for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Report (PDF 734 kb) - June 2005
O & M, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (PDF 104 kb) - September 2003. Presented by Jerry Deeter (Kitsap County Environmental Health Director) at the 2003 On-site Wastewater Treatment Short Course sponsored by University of Washington.
On-Site Management Plan Guidance for Local Health (PDF 1.2 MB) - June 2006
On-Site Wastewater Advisory Committee Summary Report (PDF 103 kb) - September 2001
Pipeline Separation Design and Installation Reference Guide Version 9 (PDF 1.26 MB) - May 2006 Co-authored with Washington State Department of Ecology
Puget Sound Local On-site Sewage Management Plans - A Report to the Legislature - May 2009 The 2008 Progress Report Fulfilling 3SHB 1458 Requirements - Section 11
Tier One Greywater System Checklist and Irrigation Area Estimation Tool (PDF 858 kb) - Revised September 2011
Tier Two and Three Greywater Subsurface Irrigation Systems - Guidance (PDF 650 kb) - Revised September 2011
Vertical Separation (PDF 51 kb) - October 1990. A review of available scientific literature and a listing from fifteen other states.

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Technical Issue Reports

The following Technical Issue (DRAFT) Reports summarize the available literature about on-site wastewater topics of special interest during the rule development process of the current on-site sewage system rules and regulations (WAC 246-272A). Please note that these reports are drafts and may undergo modification from time to time.

Application of Treatment Standards 1 and 2 (PDF 534 kb) - March 29, 2002
Disposal Component Reductions - Special Features and Applications of Drainfield Products (PDF 104 kb) - April 17, 2002
Disposal Treatment Options - Highly Pretreated Effluent (PDF 90 kb) - January 31, 2002
Failing Systems (PDF 80 kb) - June 2002
Hydraulic Loading Rates (PDF 504 kb) - January 30, 2002
Linear Loading Rates (PDF 127 kb) - January 2003
Minimum Lot Size (PDF 86 kb) - August 2002
Organic Loading Rates (PDF 404 kb) - April 17, 2002
Residential Flow Rates (PDF 558 kb) - May 31, 2002
Sand and Media Specifications (PDF 105 kb) - November 26, 2002
Septic Tank Effluent Values (PDF 121 kb) - February 1, 2004
Type 1 A Soil Issues (PDF 684 kb) - July 31, 2002
Wastewater Quality / Strength / and Content (PDF 314 kb) - April 16, 2002

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This page contains links to documents that may be in one of the following formats:

.pdf (Adobe Acrobat Reader),
.doc (Word),
.ppt (PowerPoint),
.xls (Excel),
etc....;

If your computer is not able to read these formats, you may visit the DOH Viewer Page to locate the appropriate free viewer or converter to download to your computer.

For copies of the above Wastewater Management Section publications, or to request document in other formats, please contact the Wastewater Management Section at (360) 236-3330 or e-mail wastewatermgmt@doh.wa.gov.

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Last Update: 02/02/2012 02:35 PM