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Developed Design Processes
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DESIGN PROCESS
DEVELOPED LAND
Acme Septic Design
We at Acme understand that designing a septic system can be an arduous and overwhelming experience. For this reason, we provide you with this septic road map! Please utilize this resource at your leisure to educate yourself about your project and what to expect in the design process.
About Us
Acme
Resources
Septic System Types
Developed Land Project Types
Our Designer
Our designer, Rod Left, is accredited, his license is held with the Washington State Core of Engineers, and he has been part of the septic design industry in Kitsap County since 1990, giving him decades of expertise. In addition, he is experienced in land preparation and carpentry work. For these reasons, we urge our customers to ask questions at their appointments and utilize his vast knowledge and experience towards their projects. As we like to say here at Acme, he is the right man for the job: Rod Left.
Our Office Team
With an ever-growing staff, our goal is to function as a team on every project. Just as we encourage our customers to self-educate and advocate for themselves and their project, our education is never ending in our pursuit of providing our customers with excellent customer service, up-to-date system information and industry expertise.
Our Mission
We strive for transparency and a relationship of integrity with our clients that exceeds their expectations. "Gravity is our goal!" may be our slogan, but with honesty and fairness is how we do business.
If you haven't explored our website, it is a wealth of knowledge available to you! We specifically designed our website to help educate and empower homeowners about septic systems. We have years of expertise and problem solving experience when it comes to septic and are happy to pass it on to you! It includes a plethora of information for everything from frequently asked questions to recommended Septic Installers. We also have all of your must have links, including the Kitsap Public Health District's Permit & Application Status page to help you stay up-to-date on any news of your septic project.
http://www.acmeseptic.com/resources
Our Website
Kitsap Public Health District
The Kitsap Public Health District is the entity which reviews and makes decisions upon all design submittals, and as such, is a great resource to utilize. If you are interested in learning about codes and regulations regarding your system, feel free to click on the following link: http://www.kitsappublichealth.org/environment/septic_systems.php. This link will take you to the Kitsap Public Health District's Septic System page, which includes multiple ways to navigate to additional resources such as permitted records for your property. Additionally, the Kitsap Public Health District has created a homeowner's septic system guide (link below) at your disposal, which contains several tips, system recommendations and general information regarding system types.
Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems: http://www.kitsappublichealth.org/information/files/resources/EH-10.pdf
www.kitsappublichealth.org/environment/septic_systems.php
Septic System Types
A preliminary snapshot of various systems.
Remember that gravity systems and pump to gravity systems are the best-case scenarios; only about twenty percent of properties in Kitsap County are able to support a gravity system. Residential gravity systems do not require a Monitoring & Maintenance contract at this time.
Gravity OSS (Standard)
A gravity system is typically comprised of a septic tank, distribution box and drain field, where the effluent is equally distributed into the ground. A pump to gravity, required in scenarios where a gravity system is uphill of a home, would require a pump tank in additional to the septic tank, and an electrical panel. This is our hope for you and your property, but careful review of your soil types, depths and various property elements will be the deciding factor.
Near the home will be the electrical control panel and alarm for your system. An alarm can be an annoyance when it rings, but this is your system's way of communicating if there is an issue and is a reminder for you to call your Monitoring & Maintenance provider for help or guidance.
Standard Pressure System (Alternative)
If your property is unable to support a gravity system, a standard pressure system is the next best scenario. Although the Kitsap Public Health District currently requires homeowners to maintain a Monitoring & Maintenance contract on this system type, a well-maintained standard pressure system could have a life span of thirty years or more. Standard pressure systems are simple, straight forward systems typically comprised of a septic tank, pump tank, splitter, which maintains pressure while distributing effluent, and the drain field itself.
Pre-Treatment System (Alternative)
Some properties may be a choice parcel for a home but don't
have the soils which simpler systems rely on to clean the effluent
of dangerous pathogens before entering marine shorelines, lakes, streams, and drinking water aquifers. This is when a pre-treatment system could be recommended. There are many different types of pre-treatment or Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU) systems, but the main thing to know is that they consist of a trash tank to gather solids and a specialized treatment unit where effluent is cleaned to a higher treatment level before being pumped to the drain field area. ATUs may be paired with a variety of distribution systems, such as pressure or drip, and help provide septic options to our customers. Currently, the Kitsap Public Health District requires a licensed Monitoring & Maintenance company to bi-annually inspect pre-treatment systems to ensure they are working properly.
Drip Field (Alternative System)
You may be familiar with the agricultural use of a drip line and a septic drip system has a
similar concept. Drip systems typically consist of an electric control panel, trash tank, ATU or
pre-treatment unit, pump tank, headworks and the drip style drain field. Your electric panel communicates with the system and will alert you to a possible issue with your system. The designer considers the needs of the family along with the capacities of the system to implement the optimal panel settings, which are monitored through the life of the system by a licensed technician. The trash tank collects large waste, the ATU cleans the effluent and the pump tank pumps the effluent to the headworks, which distributes it to the drip drain field while monitoring pressure. Drip systems can be installed in soils that don't meet the depths required for a standard pressure or gravity system, but also have the benefit of being smaller and more flexible than simpler systems. Currently, the Kitsap Public Health District requires a licensed Monitoring & Maintenance company to inspect drip systems bi-annually and any alarms should be reported to your provider due to a drip system's slightly more delicate nature.
Bottomless Sand Filter (Alternative)
Sometimes, soils on the property are covered with fill. Since code requires septic systems to be
installed in undisturbed, native soil; we need to reach those soils below, and a bottomless sand
filter may be proposed. Imagine a large box placed down inside of the ground, lined with plastic and carefully layered with special filter sand, piping for the drain field and pea-sized regulation drain gravel. In addition, special pipes to introduce air into the bottomless sand filter and kill harmful bacteria, a septic tank and a pump tank are added to complete the system. Bottomless sand filters are typically used in situations where space is limited and can be installed above or below ground. As with all drain fields, careful preservation of the drain field area will help protect your septic investment: don't plant invasive root species of plants or trees, prevent vehicles from parking or driving on the drain field and complete regular inspections by your Monitoring & Maintenance provider.
Above Ground System (Alternative)
Current Kitsap Public Health District code mandates minimum soil requirements for septic
systems. Thankfully, due to above ground systems like the Oscar and Glendon, there may still be
options for customers that are close to, or right at, the minimum limits. Glendon systems consist of your typical septic tank and pump tank and the Glendon Bio-filter Mound, which is typically a concrete basin filled with specialized gravel. The effluent deposits into the basin through a perforated pipe, slowly working up through various gravel sizes, finally being wicked through the sand cap, safely into the native soils. An Oscar system is a newer system, which works in a similar way. Oscars have an additional above ground gravel filter between the septic and pump tank to help clean the effluent. Then the pump tank pumps the effluent to a coiled drip line covered in regulation filter sand. Both of these systems are at the end of the spectrum as far as septic feasibility for a property. Their life spans can be shorter than other systems, so a close relationship with your Monitoring & Maintenance provider and cautious awareness of overuse or system abuse is necessary. Regardless of these challenges, we are glad we can provide options to our customers with challenging lots.
Developed Land Project Types
Repair
Alteration
Building Clearance
Compliance
Classification Help
If your property is developed with as-built records on file with the health district, the classification of project will depend on multiple factors. This flowchart is a good start to find your project type, although there are a few items Acme can also help you with that are not on this flowchart.
Repair/Replacement
When will a design be classified as a Repair design?
There must be a failing OSS (on-site sewage system) on the parcel, with no goal to modify the number of bedrooms pertaining to the OSS.
A remediation is possible in rare occasions, depending on many factors. This is an OSS replacement of the same type as the existing, failing OSS.
Alteration
When will a design be classified as an Alteration?
There must be an existing OSS on the parcel, with either of the following goals in mind:
- Increasing the number of bedrooms, and therefore looking to expand the OSS accordingly
- House was previously expanded & now looking to expand OSS to reflect correct number of bedrooms.
Depending on the condition of the existing drain field and many other factors, our designer will either recommend adding laterals to the existing drain field, or designing a separate drain field altogether.
Building Clearance
When will a design be classified as a Building Clearance?
There must be an existing OSS on the property with additional construction plans, without the need to change number of bedrooms pertaining to the OSS.
In this case, you would need a scaled drawing (Master Site Plan) depicting all existing structures and the existing OSS, along with the proposed additional building(s).
Compliance
When will a design be classified as a Compliance?
There must be an existing OSS on the property that is not failing, with the need to establish or re-locate a reserve drain field area, without involving your associated governing building agency for a building permit.
Building Clearance
Compliance
+
If you do not need your existing primary drain field modified in any way, yet have construction plans for the property that involve applying for a building permit, you may also need a reserve drain field established or re-located. If so, this will combine the Building Clearance project with a Compliance.
Welcome to the first steps of determining the least complicated & least expensive route for your project! If your project requires any alteration of your property, the preliminary appointment is an opportunity to collaborate directly with our lead septic designer, Rod Left, as he determines the feasibility of your project on-site. You will also get to know our knowledgeable office staff throughout the process of submitting your project information, scheduling your appointment and working with us to complete your Utility Locate.
Preliminary
Appointment
Preliminary Appointment
Gather Project Information & Schedule Appointment
Your project begins when we email you our intake form; allowing you to complete pertinent contact, property and project information. Once we receive your completed intake form, our goal is to evaluate your needs and desires for your property to determine the least expensive & least complicated path moving forward.
Believe it or not, there are dozens of different possible pathways, and therefore it is incredibly important for us to understand the full breadth of your goals or needs. This is where our skill and experience can be beneficial to you! We can help you through the process and uncover some of the obstacles or requirements there could be along the way. After the review of your intake form, we look forward to speaking with you, answering your questions and scheduling an appointment with our designer.
Introduction &
Appt Scheduling
Utility Locate Request
Washington State law requires that we submit a utility locate ticket a minimum of three business days prior to commencing any digging on a property. Since digging is a required part of establishing a recommended septic system, we must complete this important safety precaution. Due to this law, it is required to mark the property corners with white paint to assist the locating companies in finding the correct excavation property. Furthermore, you may notice colored markings on and around your property; evidence that the utility locate may have been completed. Penalties for digging prior to notifying the utility locate center range between a $1,000 and $10,000 fine with triple repair costs and a month of jail time.
Utility Locate
Request
Utility Locate Markings
Preliminary Appointment
Your preliminary appointment will be on-site with Rod Left, our designer. During the appointment, we encourage you to speak freely about your long range plans for the property. All of these hopes for your property could affect the septic system and placement and will help our designer determine the best plan of action for your project.
Preliminary
Appointment
Consultation
Property Eval/Soil Logs
Letter of Findings
Property Evaluation /
Soil Logs
Our designer is an amazing resource to utilize during your initial appointment. During this appointment, our designer may dig on the property in order to thoroughly evaluate the property per your project goals. This may include locating existing components, determining the condition of the OSS, and / or digging soil logs as required for designing a drain field. In this case, the soil logs will mark the location for the future drain field.
You may be familiar with the term "perc test" but current standard practices necessitate a "feasibility" or "preliminary soil analysis." Rod Left, our designer, uses a small John Deere backhoe to maneuver easily on properties and dig the soil logs. In addition to digging, our designer will evaluate a number of aspects of your property, including but not limited to the existing structures and their requires setbacks, along with soil types and depths, slope, water table and hardpan. Should a design be submitted, your health inspector will inspect the logs for accuracy. Finally, the soil log placement will become the installation location if an approved septic design is achieved.
Consultation
Some of our customers hope for a specific septic placement. Others hope for a specific septic system type. During the consultation portion of the appointment, it is important to relay your full project scope early on so that any goals can be taken into account. If digging is needed on your property, a lot can be riding on the post-digging results and we completely understand. We are happy to work within constraints but a good dose of flexibility always helps. Once the digging and property evaluation has been completed, Rod, our designer, will determine the least expensive and least complicated way to move forward. He can typically also determine if any waivers can be utilized for any possible design requirements, which could be necessary.
Letter of Findings
An additional service available to you is a letter of findings. This letter is a detailed result of the preliminary soil analysis that includes types of soil and depths, recommended system type, and number of bedrooms our designer believes your property could support. It also features a break down of the cost of the design, as well as an estimate for the installation of your system. We offer this to all of our customers, and there is a myriad of reasons why they appreciate having a written, stamped and signed copy of their feasibility results. The letter of findings can be a great selling tool, a written record and can even be utilized for obtaining lending for your construction plans. This is a confidential letter and will not be shared or submitted to anyone other than our primary customer and their secondary contact, if one is included.
Design
As your septic designer, we are here to support you as you manage your project. It is necessary to have all of the required information up front to create the smoothest design submission possible. Make sure you review all the steps associated with septic design to provide the greatest chance of success!
Design
If soil log holes were dug at your preliminary appointment, these are subject to strict conditions and must stay open for the duration of a septic design. However, this isn't always possible for every property owner. If you request the soil logs to be closed at the initial appointment, a return site visit will be necessary. Even if your soil logs are open, lifespans vary greatly. Signs of compromised soil logs can occur as early as thirty days during inclement weather, or sixty days otherwise.
Furthermore, soil logs must be free of debris and water, have clean walls without sloughing and possible step downs for the inspector. They should be marked, mapped and flagged for inspection by the Kitsap Public Health District. Failure to meet these requirements could result in a fine. It is for these reasons, along with our ultimate goal to provide excellent customer service without unnecessary hiccups, that we encourage customers with aging soil logs to schedule an additional site visit to ensure pristine soil logs for the design submission.
Pristine Soil Logs
Pristine Soil Logs Pertinent for the following design project types:
Repair
Alteration
Compliance
Required Information for the Design Process
If you are approaching your governing building department, your detailed, scaled septic design will become the master site plan for your current building project. Therefore, the following information needs to be provided to Acme, and it is essential that all information be accurate and complete before drafting commences.
Wetlands & Buffers
Building Info
Water Source
Easements & Setbacks
Required Info
Property Dimensions
Property Dimensions
Property dimensions provide the framework for your septic design. If you are obtaining a building permit and you are not currently planning to complete a survey on your property, try reaching out to the county to see if they can provide you with information from possible past surveys. In addition, the Kitsap County Section Data Downloads page can be a great alternative resource to utilize if you are unable to obtain survey results. These dimensions must be provided to Acme in writing (email will suffice).
Building Footprint & Location
"My new garage will be approximately 30' x 20' and the long side will be facing the eastern (entering) side of the property. I would like the garage to be approximately 136.75' from the eastern property line and 25.5' from the southern property line."
This is a requirement if you plan on approaching your governing building department. The proposed building footprint (including any alterations or building additions) shows the dimensions of the total foundation area of each proposed building. You can usually obtain one from your builder or plans. In addition, be sure to relay all impervious surfaces, including but not limited to: driveways, garages, decks and patios. In order to ensure proper placement of any applicable buildings, please provide the distance from this new building to two perpendicular property lines.
Water Source
DID YOU KNOW?
The state defines a public water system as
any well that serves more than one
residential connection, and classifies the
by number of users. Group B systems serve between 2 and 14 connections. Group A systems serve 15 or more connections or 25 or more people per day for 60 or more days a year. Kitsap County
has an exemption that allows a two-party residential system that meets certain criteria
to be classified as a private well.
When a septic design is submitted, the water source is considered to be a separate portion of the design that needs full approval from the health district. With developed land, the water source has already been established. However, in some circumstances it is being altered. Therefore, we will need confirmation of your water source. If public water, we will also need to know it's name and system ID, along with the number of buildings you are connected/connecting to. Visit the Kitsap Public Health District's Water System List Link to find your system ID number by name.
http://www.kitsappublichealth.org/environment/files/water/DW_WaterSystemMasterListPublic.pdf
Wetlands
& Buffers
Wetlands are typically protected areas of saturated land, or wetland vegetation, unsuitable for drain field installation. If there is suspicion of a wetlands region on your property, a wetlands biologist may be recommended to evaluate the area and determine if it should be designated as such. Wetlands biologists can also establish the buffers and setbacks that must be reflected on the design and show the distance at which a septic can be proposed. Visit the Resources page of our website to find our preferred wetlands specialists!
http://www.acmeseptic.com/resources
Buffers, or buffer zones, can currently be defined as a neutral space between two different types of buildings or properties with an interest of minimizing disturbances between potentially incompatible land uses. Common types of buffer zones are demilitarized zones, certain restrictive easement zones, green belts and wetlands and vary for each individual property. Buffers also can have unique, designated setbacks associated with them.
Setbacks & Easements
B
Currently, an easement may be defined as the right to use and/or enter onto the real property of another without possessing it. It is "best typified as the right of way which one landowner, A, may enjoy over the land of another, B." Easements vary for each individual property but typical ones are access roads or utility easements.
Setbacks may currently be defined as the distance, which a building or other structure is set back from a street or property line, a river or other stream, a shore or flood plain, or any other place which is deemed to need protection. A building setback is a space where no structures may be located, except where specifically allowed. Other types of setbacks could be, but are not limited to: drain field setbacks, waterline setbacks, access (road) setbacks and utility setbacks and vary for each individual property. Setbacks are on every property, and are determined by the property's zoning classification and size.
A
Design Draft & Approval
Design Draft
Once the design has been commissioned and all of the applicable, required information has been provided to our design team, the drafting will commence. In most scenarios, drafting of the septic design takes between 7 to 14 business days. When a design is being generated due to a failing OSS, the time frame is reduced. Once a design has been completed, we will email you the draft for you to review. If you approve of the design, simply respond with your written approval, at which point we will prepare your design, and associated documents, for submission to the health district.
Kitsap Public Health
District Submission
After the design has been drafted and we have received your approval, it is then time to submit to the health district. Although the health district can always add additional conditions to a design once submitted, there are typically a few standard documents that we will prepare on your behalf. This becomes your design packet, and once received by the health district, they will have thirty days to review, inspect, and respond to the design.
KPHD
Response
& Status
KPHD Response & Status
Once a design has been submitted to the health district, they then have 30 days to respond to the submission, although in a repair scenario the response time is less, due to the environmental impact. During this time, at the health district's discretion, additional requirements may be imposed. Typically, you will receive a written response from the health district within thirty days, which is mailed to the disclosed mailing address provided to us by our customers. Check the application and status page under resources on our website for up-to-date design information.
https://kitsappublichealth.org/RecordSearch/ContractorSearchProperty.aspx
Pending
Items
Pending Items
You can also always check the status of your design application online by utilizing the design application and status search link, shown below. If you should receive information by the health district requiring a re-design or revision, please contact Acme as soon as possible so we may assist you in accomplishing the requirements set forth by the health district.
https://kitsappublichealth.org/RecordSearch/ContractorSearchProperty.aspx
Resources
Resources
We are here to help support you as you manage your project. However, if you find yourself in need of additional contractors or property experts due to the information or requirements the health district may be seeking, please visit our Resources page located on our website in order to consult with various experts. Throughout our years of experience, we have been blessed to work with numerous field experts and are happy to provide their contact information for you, in hopes that you also have an excellent experience.
http://www.acmeseptic.com/resources
Next Steps
Next Steps
However, if your project requires a septic installation company for replacement or alteration of any septic components, we look forward to progressing with the same great service as we move into the Installation & Record of Construction portion of the project.
If your project requires no installation or alteration of the existing septic system (including it's components) and the proposal has been submitted, we will send you a concluding notification email. This unfortunately will be the end of our service to you as your chosen septic designer, but we appreciate your business and recognize that there are several designers you could have chosen to work with.
Therefore, thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
Please know that we are always striving to improve our service,
so we welcome your feedback and appreciate your referrals. We would greatly appreciate your input on our Facebook page (Acme Septic Designs) and/or a testimonial to use on our website: http://www.acmeseptic.com
Installation
Once your design has been approved by the KPHD (and the building department if you are obtaining a building permit), it is then time for installation. It is also time for Acme to hand the reigns over to your installer, as they will be your main point of contact for the remainder of your septic project.
Effects of Weather
Weather Effects
Septic systems must be installed in dry, undisturbed, native soils. In Washington State, this can sometimes be problematic. Installers can either wait for five consecutive days of dry weather, or tarp a proposed drain field area for thirty days, before beginning installation. We want your system to have the longest lifespan possible, so it is important to be aware of weather conditions as a wet install could significantly shorten a drain field's lifespan.
Installation Permit
Installation Permit
Once you have chosen a licensed installer, are under contract and ready to begin the installation of your septic system, your installer will request an installation permit to be released by Acme so that they can submit it to the health district. If you have an approved gravity system, you can complete your own installation. Just as the licensed installer above, you will need to request the installation permit from Acme and submit it to the health district. In addition, you will be required to discuss the installation with a health inspector, so that they can be sure you are up to date on current codes, regulations and good installation practices. Either way, installation can begin shortly!
http://www.kitsappublichealth.org/recordsearch/contractorlist.aspx?intlicensetypeid=6
http://www.acmeseptic.com/resources
Record Of Construction
ACTION PLAN
ROC
If your project requires a Record of Construction (or as-built), this submission concludes Acme's involvement in the process. If your property is in need of a Repair/Replacement, Remediation, or Alteration, a Record of Construction is needed. A Connection Record of Construction is sometimes needed with a Building Clearance, in which the designer is required to verify and draw the connection.
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2
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Pre-Cover Inspection
Pre-Cover Inspection
After your septic system is installed (but before it is covered) your installer will contact your designer, Acme, and the health district, for inspection. This is to ensure that the entire system is installed correctly, as well as allow us to record the component's information. If an alternative system is installed and our designer finds water in the tanks and electrical hooked up to the system during the pre-cover inspection, he will also set up the system for use.
ROC Draft
Once our designer has inspected the newly installed system, we will return to the office to draft the Record Of Construction (ROC), previously known as an as-built.
ROC Draft
Because a 2-D design is conceptual and allows for minor flexibility during installation, there can be some minor adjustments from the original design. If any, these will be reflected on the ROC drawing, which will be submitted to the KPHD as part of your official Record of Construction packet.
Set Up of System
Our designer may be able to complete the pre-cover inspection & set up simultaneously. If not, our designer will need to complete a return visit to set up the system for use. This involves timing & measuring the water usage needed for the tank(s), evaluating the needs of your home, and implementing the optimal timer settings for your system.
System Set-Up
Be sure to keep in close contact with all parties regarding your timeline needs, including your installer, designer, and builder if applicable.
KPHD-Issued Items Pending Final Approval
Once the system is installed and set-up for use, Acme will assemble your Record Of Construction (ROC) packet. This includes any KPHD-issued items pending final approval, which may be additional paperwork and photos requested by the health district, after they have inspected the installation. Acme will pull the pending items list showing what will be required for finalization and reach out to the applicable parties for necessary items. All items must be completed and/or received, and then added to the ROC packet before we can submit for your final. This process typically takes three weeks to accomplish.
https://kitsappublichealth.org/RecordSearch/ContractorSearchProperty.aspx
Pending
Final Approval
Final Submission of ROC
Congratulations! Once your ROC is submitted to the health district, we will send you a concluding notification email with links to view your ROC. If you are seeking a final from the governing building department, the health department will first need to process and sign off on your ROC.
Although we are excited that your project is completed, this will be the end of our service to you as your chosen septic designer. If you have selected us as your monitoring & maintenance provider, then we look forward to providing you with the same great service.