Wastewater Management Section - Large On-site Sewage Systems (LOSS) Program

An annual operating permit renewal application is mailed in advance to each system by Department of Health.
Renewing Your LOSS Operating Permit (PDF 31 kb) - January 2012
Annual Maintenance and Monitoring Report form, Large On-site Sewage System (LOSS) (Word 211 kb) - October 2011
Comply with Conditions NOTED on permit.

SAMPLE Annual Operating Permit

(PDF 136 kb)

Operating Permit for Existing LOSS: First Application

Existing System Review and Operating Permit Process Flowchart, Large On-site Sewage System (LOSS) for existing systems without a DOH Permit. (PDF 33 kb) - October 2011
Existing System Questionnaire for existing Large On-site Sewage Systems without a DOH Permit. (Word 137 kb) - Revised August 2011
Operating Permit Application (Word 234 kb) - Revised September 2011
Annual Maintenance and Monitoring Report form, Large On-site Sewage System (LOSS) (Word 211 kb) - October 2011
Comply with Conditions NOTED on permit.

SAMPLE Annual Operating Permit

(PDF 136 kb)

Designing and Building a New LOSS or Modifying an Existing LOSS

Flowchart of the Large On-site Sewage System (LOSS) New Project Review & Approval Process (PDF 32 kb) - July 2011
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.
Project Submittal form for Large On-site Sewage System (LOSS) (Word 118 kb) - October 2011
Predesign Report Requirements, Large On-site Sewage System (LOSS) (PDF 41 kb) - October 2011
Site Evaluation and Environment Review
Engineering Report Checklist (PDF 4.3 MB) - December 2011
Plans & Specifications Checklist (PDF 6.8 MB) - December 2011
SAMPLE Annual Operating Permit (PDF 136 kb)
Public Notice Requirements for LOSS greater than 14,500 gallons per day
Construction Completion Report for Large On-Site Sewage System (LOSS) (Word 93 kb) - Revised August 2011
Model Operations and Maintenance Manual - UNDER CONSTRUCTION - COMING SOON
Monitoring and Reporting Plan - UNDER CONSTRUCTION - COMING SOON

Environmental Review Forms & Guidance

Soil & Site Inspection Guidance - UNDER CONSTRUCTION - COMING SOON
Site Risk Survey for Large On-site Sewage System (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
Monitoring and Reporting Plan - UNDER CONSTRUCTION - COMING SOON

Inspecting and Evaluating Existing LOSS

Inspection and Engineering Evaluation Guidance for Existing Systems - Large On-site Sewage Systems (LOSS) (PDF 74 kb) - October 2011

Management Agreement Samples

Management of Large On-site Sewage Systems (LOSS) (PDF 45 kb) - Revised August 2011. Guidelines that set forth the minimum information to be included in any LOSS Management Plan.
Maintenance and Monitoring Report form, Large On-site Sewage System (LOSS) Annual (PDF 211 kb) - October 2011
Management Agreement: Municipal Management / Oversight for Large On-site Sewage System (LOSS) (PDF 97 kb) - Revised February 2011. Sample document of a management agreement for a LOSS owned by a municipality.
Management Agreement: Single Ownership for Large On-site Sewage System (LOSS) (PDF 48 kb) - Revised February 2011. Sample document of a management agreement for a LOSS with a single owner.

Related Resources

Criteria for Sewage Works Design (Orange Book) - Revised August 2008. Guide for the design of sewage collection, treatment, and reclamation systems. Developed and published by Washington State Department of Ecology.
Glossary of Terms (LOSS) (PDF 107 kb) - October 2011
How to Hire a Professional Engineer (PDF 117 kb) - September 2011
Pressure Distribution Systems (RS&G) (PDF 391 kb) - Effective July 2009
Cross Reference: Health & Ecology, Large On-site Sewage System (LOSS) Documents (PDF 201 kb) - December 2011. A comparison of LOSS submittal requirements for the Department of Health and the Department of Ecology.

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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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Hot Topics

Federal funds available to protect and restore Puget Sound

The revised LOSS rule was adopted, and is effective July 1, 2011.

The hold on reclaimed water rule making has been extended by ESHB 1478, which states, "the department of ecology shall adopt rules for reclaimed water use no earlier than June 30, 2013."

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Last Update : 01/24/2012 03:49 PM