Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Program
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Overview
Owners of onsite wastewater treatment systems must operate and maintain their systems in compliance with all permit conditions and applicable requirements in this division and must not create a public health hazard or pollute public waters.
Tips and Takeaways for Homeowners with Onsite Septic Systems
There are 3 requirements that you need to ensure are met on a yearly and ongoing basis outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) OAR 340-071-0132
These requirements are:
- A service contract with a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Certified Maintenance Provider: You must remain under contract with a maintenance provider for the life of the system.
- Annual inspection report: The certified maintenance provider under contract must conduct an inspection of the onsite system at least once every year. This report must be submitted to the Deschutes County Onsite Wastewater Division for review and to meet Oregon requirements.
- Annual report evaluation fee: The maintenance provider under contract must pay the annual report evaluation fee to Deschutes County.
Tip: Ensure that you receive a signed copy of your contract with a certified maintenance provider and ask for a copy of the inspection report.
For detailed explanation, please read on:
Quick Links
- What is System Maintenance?
- Operation and Maintenance (O & M)
- Maintenance Provider's Responsibilities
- Property Owner's Responsibilities
- List of DEQ Certified Maintenance Providers serving Deschutes County
What is System Maintenance?
Every septic system needs regular maintenance to keep it operating and healthy. Proper maintenance will increase its longevity and reduce the chance of premature failure. A failing septic system is a public health hazard because sewage contains pathogens that cause disease. Basic guidelines of onsite system/septic system maintenance are:
- Inspect the system and have the tank pumped regularly.
- Be water efficient – don’t flood your system.
- Don’t put garbage down the drain.
- Take care of your drainfield area.
Pumping your tank: In Oregon, a 1000-gallon tank is approved for up to a four-bedroom residence. With four people in the house, the tank will need to be pumped approximately every 3 years. However, this depends on what you are doing in the home. The tank needs to be pumped when solids (sludge & scum) fill approximately 1/3 of the tank capacity.
Water efficiency: All the water you use in your home will end up in your onsite system. Use water efficient fixtures, faucets, toilets, and showerheads. Washing machines can generate significant flows. Using water efficient washing machines and spreading out your laundry can help your system. Make sure and fix water leaks and running toilets immediately.
Don’t throw everything down the drain because it will fill up your septic tank. Most things belong in the garbage can and not your septic system. Only flush wastewater and toilet paper.
A few things not to flush: diapers, cat litter, feminine hygiene products, condoms, coffee grounds, medicine, or household chemicals like paint, antifreeze or oils.
Make sure the drainfield is not compacted with vehicles or livestock, and do not pave the area. Don’t flood or irrigate the drainfield area because all that water impacts the function of the system. Make sure runoff is directed away from your drainfeld area. Make sure and keep the area as natural as possible and don’t excavate in the drainfield area. Plant shallow rooted plants like grasses, and make sure to avoid trees and water loving shrubs or plants.
Check out the SepticSmart Homeowner’s Guide for more detailed information about taking care of your onsite system.
Operation & Maintenance
In Oregon, any sand filter or pressure distribution system permitted on or after January 2, 2014, and all Alternative Treatment Technology (ATT) systems are required to be maintained by a certified maintenance provider. Owners of these systems must hold a maintenance contract with a DEQ certified maintenance provider at all times. Additionally, maintenance providers for ATT systems must be certified by the manufacturer.
These alternative systems have moving parts and components that need to be checked and maintained to ensure they are operating properly. The regular service can detect issues before they become a problem. Early detection allows for corrective action before the system becomes a public health hazard, a detriment to the environment or a liability to the homeowner.
Human wastewater contains pathogens that must be treated through onsite wastewater treatment and soil absorption systems. Often these systems are installed for environmental and natural resource protection; therefore, regular service ensures they perform and protect the environment from pollution. In Central Oregon, our surface water and groundwater are some of our most valuable resources. Protecting our water resources keeps Central Oregon a great place to live and visit.
Components of Oregon’s Operation & Maintenance Program
- A service contract with a DEQ Certified Maintenance Provider. The initial service agreement stipulates four inspections in the first two years and then annual inspections after that. The owner must remain under contract with a maintenance provider for the life of the system. A contract must have an effective/start date, but an expiration date is not needed since ongoing contracts are acceptable. It should include details about the specific services to be provided. The service contract should also clearly state reasons that the provider may terminate the agreement, such as nonpayment by the property owner.
- Annual inspection report: The certified maintenance provider under contract must conduct an inspection of the onsite system at least once every year. This report must be submitted to Deschutes County Onsite Wastewater Division for review and to meet Oregon requirements.
- Annual report evaluation fee: The maintenance provider under contract must pay the annual report evaluation fee to Deschutes County.
Maintenance Provider's Responsibilities
Maintenance providers are required to submit an annual maintenance report to Deschutes County and pay the annual report evaluation fee on behalf of their customers. A compliance recovery fee may be levied if these reports are not received by the County in a timely fashion. Notify the County if an inspection cannot be completed due to snow or being denied entry by the property owner.
Additionally, maintenance providers are required to:
- Observe and record conditions in the drainfield and ATT (if applicable) during all operation and maintenance activities for the system, and report those observations in writing to the system owner.
- Make necessary repairs or alterations that comply with Oregon Administrative Rules, and ensure that maintenance that has been delegated to a third party (pumping, major repairs, etc.) has been completed.
- Make emergency service available within 48 hours of a service request.
- Maintain ongoing (open-ended) service contracts with customers, and adhere to the conditions listed in the agreement.
- Notify Deschutes County within 30 days of maintenance agreement termination.
- Be certified by the ATT manufacturer to provide maintenance on their product (ATT systems only).
- Perform start-up inspections for newly installed pressure distribution, sand filter, or ATT systems, and provide a copy of this report to Deschutes County.
Property Owner's Responsibilities
The owner of an ATT, sand filter, or pressure distribution system is responsible for paying for and maintaining a maintenance service agreement with a DEQ licensed and certified maintenance provider for the entire life of the system.
Initial service agreement: A minimum (2) year maintenance agreement with a DEQ licensed and certified maintenance provider is required with all ATT, sand filter, and pressure distribution construction permit applications.
Subsequent maintenance agreements: After the initial service agreement, the property owner must hold a valid, current maintenance agreement with a DEQ licensed and certified maintenance provider for the remaining life of the onsite system. These contracts should be ongoing. If no maintenance agreement is in place, the County reserves the right to charge a compliance recovery fee, take additional actions, or levy penalties depending on the severity of the violation.
Transfer of ownership: If property ownership changes hands, the new owner must sign a transfer of contract agreement with the maintenance provider or obtain a new maintenance agreement within 30 days.
Owners of these systems are also responsible for allowing timely maintenance, properly operating the system, and ensuring the system does not cause a public health hazard or pollutes public waters. This includes:
- Reporting system failures to the County as soon as possible.
- Following instructions to fix a failing system (example: getting a repair permit).
- Allowing maintenance providers safe access to the property.
- Following maintenance provider recommendations for proper usage.
- Permitting maintenance providers to make necessary repairs to the system and its components.
DEQ Certified Maintenance Providers serving Deschutes County
- Main Beam Septic Specialist (541) 419-2537 or (541) 419-6650
- Tewalt & Sons Excavation (541) 549-1472
- The Tank Doctor (541) 318-6252
- SOS Maintenance (541) 640-6244
- Central Oregon Sanitation Services (541) 536-2517
- Spencer Smith (541) 771-2858
