Submitted by San Juan County.
Did you add inspecting your septic system to your 2025 to-do list? If you didn’t, don’t worry! Your local health department will be sending reminder postcards to properties with installed septic systems.
Regular septic inspection protects the public health of our islands. It can prevent costly septic system repairs and future system failures which could impact our groundwater, marine and freshwater resources.
Are you unsure if your septic system needs inspection this year?
• Most residential septic systems must be inspected every year.
• Gravity systems need to be inspected every three years unless they are in a designated sensitive area (usually in areas surrounding commercial shellfish growing enterprises) then they must be inspected every year.
• There are additional requirements for vacation rentals, non-residential systems and at the time of property sale.
There may be funding available for rebates on routine pumping, inspecting or installing maintenance components. The rebate application is available online or you can request an application at our main office in Friday Harbor. The current funding period ends June 30.
We’ve created a FAQ (https://sanjuancountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/32568/FAQ-On-site-Septic-_English) with more information about septic system inspections. Our environmental health staff are also happy to answer any questions you have about your septic system. You can reach Kate Combs at 360-370-7526 or email katherinec@sanjuancountywa.gov.
Media Contact: Environmental Health Division, envhealth@sanjuancountywa.gov, 360-378-4474.
San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services is responsible for community and environmental health, mental health and substance abuse programs, senior services, affordable housing projects and more. The department has staff and offices on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan islands. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1777/Health-Community-Services.
