For Immediate Release
August 1, 2018
Contact person:
Denese Schauer
Jefferson County Public Health
Phone: 360-385-9444
Septic System Inspection Rebate Program Is Back
...While Funds Last
Port Townsend – Do you have a residential septic system in Jefferson County that was installed prior to 2007? You may be eligible for up to a $250 in rebates for first inspection and installation of access risers or filters on septic tanks. Jefferson County Public Health’s Septic System Inspection Rebate Program helps residents save money, maintain onsite septic systems, reduce the cost of a first inspection and ensure septic systems are functioning properly.
Rebates are available up to $250 per household. It includes $150 for the septic systems first operations and monitoring (O&M) Inspection and up to $100 for the installation of access risers, lids and effluent filters. They are limited to one rebate per private residence in Jefferson County, which have a septic system that was installed prior to 2007 and has not been inspected previously. The work is required to be done by a Certified/Licensed provider. A list of providers is available, or you can call Jefferson County Public Health(JCPH) at (360) 385-9444. The rebate will cover work that was done after August 2015, but can’t be used for inspections at time of sale of a property or for septic tank pumping. Previous rebate recipients are not eligible to receive a second rebate on the property.
“This is a great way to find out more about your septic system, reduce the cost of that first inspection and make your system easier to inspect in the future,” said Linda Atkins, lead of the JCPH Septic System Program. Funding is provided by the United Stated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH) and the Hood Canal Coordinating Council. Rebates are available through June 2019 or until the funds are exhausted.
The purpose of the rebate is to encourage Jefferson County residents to regularly inspect and maintain onsite septic systems, so that they function properly and avoid preventable system failure. “JCPH has seen many systems fail, requiring expensive repairs or even replacements, due to a neglect,” said Atkins. “Not only is regular maintenance common sense, it can save you money.” For the past year Public Health has been sending letters to homeowners reminding them that regular monitoring inspections are also a State and County requirement. Well maintained septic systems help keep our waters clean and protection public health.
To obtain the rebate, homeowners simply arrange for the work to be done and submit a receipt or paid invoice with the rebate application to JCPH. Click here for the rebate application and additional details on the program or visit the Jefferson County website's “Septic Systems” section. You can also call Jefferson County Public Health at (360) 385-9444 for more information on the program.
No cost classes are available online and in the classroom to learn about how your septic system works, how to protect and inspect it. Classroom training is held in the late Spring and Fall, check the paper or click here for the latest schedule of classes.
###
Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Community