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Large On-site Sewage Systems (LOSS) Program

Large On-site Sewage Systems (LOSS) convey, store, treat, and provide subsurface soil treatment and disposal of domestic sewage for a peak design flow of 3,500 to 100,000 gallons per day.

LOSS offer an alternative to centralized municipal sewage treatment plants and can serve from 10 to about 370 individual residences, or equivalent flows from schools and churches, campgrounds and recreation vehicle parks, resorts or state park sites, or smaller cities or towns.

Department of Health (DOH) LOSS Program staff review and approve LOSS project applications state-wide. The LOSS rule is Chapter 246-272B WAC, developed under authority of Chapter 70.118B RCW. The revised rule became effective July 1, 2011.

Now, all existing LOSS are required to obtain and annually renew DOH LOSS operating permits. Some LOSS are transferring to DOH from Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), and some are transferring from local health jurisdictions.

Traditionally, on-site treatment occurs through a septic tank and drainfield, located on or near the property where the sewage is produced. Other higher level treatment methods, in combination with a drainfield, are becoming more common, particularly when there is a concern about nutrients, such as nitrates, in the groundwater or when a drainfield is less able to provide adequate treatment.

Certain types of wastewater and sewage are not allowed to be treated by or enter a LOSS, including industrial wastewater and storm water. Ecology reviews, permits, and regulates systems that treat industrial wastewater and stormwater.

Regulatory Jurisdictions for On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems

LOSS Program Description

LOSS Designer/Installer/Operator Qualifications

Fees for LOSS Project Review and Operating Permits

LOSS Program Staff

LOSS Information and Guidance

LOSS Publications

The DOH LOSS Program:

• Protects public health and the environment by ensuring LOSS are properly designed and operated.

• Reviews and approves LOSS project applications.

• Performs site and soil inspections and post construction inspections for LOSS projects.

• Identifies LOSS that do not currently have a DOH operating permit and helps them obtain permits.

• Issues operating permits and anuual renewals for all active LOSS.

• Reviews and tracks submittals required in the LOSS operating permit.

• Conducts enforcement actions for LOSS failures, and other LOSS violations, such as failure to obtain or renew an operating permit.

• Provides LOSS technical assistance.

• Reviews and approves sewage tank designs for the List of Registered Sewage Tanks.

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LOSS Designer, Installer and Operator Qualifications:

LOSS Design: A professional engineer, licensed in the State of Washington, must prepare and stamp all LOSS design documents and reports submitted to DOH for review and approval. On-site designers may not submit documents for LOSS. (Chapter 18.210.010(3) and (9) RCW)

LOSS Installation: The LOSS installer must be approved by local health jurisdiction in the county where the LOSS is being constructed. The installer also must have three or more years experience installing on-site sewage systems or must have successfully completed at least one similar installation that includes a pressure drainfield. (Chapter 246-272B-05000 WAC)

LOSS Operator: The LOSS operator is responsible for ensuring the LOSS consistently and reliably treats sewage to meet the operating permit conditions. Depending on the type of LOSS, the operator may need to hold a Department of Ecology wastewater certification (Chapter 173-230 WAC), be approved by a local health jurisdiction, or be qualified to operate a LOSS using proprietary technology. (Chapter 246-272B-07200 WAC)

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Fees for LOSS Project Review and Operating Permits

Fees for LOSS project review, inspections and operating permits were adopted September 2, 2010, for projects submitted after that date. The base fee is required at the time of first document submittal. Any hourly fees for additional review time must be paid in full before approvals are granted. The fees are as follows:

1. Plan review and inspection. The following fees apply for DOH review of LOSS design documents and evaluations, and for DOH inspections:

2. Operating permits The following fees apply for annual LOSS operating permits and renewals.

[Statutory Authorities:  RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.110; 43.70.250, 70.118B, and Chapter 246-272-3000 WAC]

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