• Industry Notices

    Industry updates for O&M professionals, septic designers, installers and well-drillers.

    Read the latest updates, news and events for onsite sewage and well permitting. Sign up to receive industry notices by email.

    2026

    July 31

    • Passing of Deb Chinn.
    • Permitting updates.
      • High winter water table review lessons learned.
      • Requirement for permanent power for pressure system asbuilts.
      • New Clean Water Loan brochures.
      • Remediation procedure guidance.
    • Certified Professionals updates.

    May 15

    • New required questions in Online RME.

    April 14

    • OnlineRME search by parcel reinstated.
    • Permitting updates.
      • Avoid fee for duplicate applications in Accela.
      • Asbuilt cover sheet.
      • Peninsula Septic Designs closed.
      • Change of Designer—Taking over previous designer’s approve septic design drawing.
    • Report of System Status (RSS) updates.
      • Submit RSSs early.
      • RSSs for mobile home parks.
    • Operation and Maintenance.
      • You’re invited to our O&M Certified Professionals workshop.
      • Introduction to O&M.
    • Certified Professionals updates.
    • Accela updates.

    2025

    Dec. 15

    • High winter water table review 2025-2026 season.
    • New year, new fees.

    Oct. 2

    • Permitting and policy updates.
      • Tank repairs.
      • Site Plan tips for tank repairs and replacements
    • Certified Professionals updates.
      • Active insurance and general contractor’s accounts.
      • King County pump truck self-inspection pilot program
      • Tax change notification from OnlineRME.
    • Report of System Status (RSS) updates.
      • RSS exemptions.
    • Clean washed rock for septic installations.

    Aug. 15

    • Accela online portal demonstrations.

    July 28

    • Connect existing applications to your new online account.

    July 28

    • Our new online applications and payment system is live.

    June 12

    • Plan ahead: Health Department closed June 19 and June 24.
    • Permitting updates.
      • New state onsite sewage code in effect.
      • Updated state ‘Department Standards and Guidance’ documents.
      • Secondary safety lids.
      • New permitting program coming soon!
    • Policy updates.
      • Labeling wells on site plans.
      • Drainfield setbacks.
      • Where to apply for an individual well variance/waivers.
      • New SepticJohn approval from DOH.
      • We updated our Mechanical Remediation “Terralift” guidance.
    • Operation and Maintenance updates.
      • EMMR reportable activities guide.
      • RME component unlock request.
      • New Septic O&M rollout areas and financial assistance.
      • OnlineRME reporting user guide update.

    March 20

    • Environmental Health program realigned.
    • It’s now easier to find what you’re looking for on our website.
    • Get answers to the most frequently asked questions online.
    • Free training on strategies to address onsite difficult sites.
    • Permitting updates:
      • Sewage transport/Water line setbacks
    • Operation and Maintenance (O&M) updates:
      • Certified professionals workshop on April 15.
      • Spanaway Lake O&M implementation.
      • Opportunities for homeowners.
    • Pumping for RSSs.
    • Subsurface drip systems and OnlineRME.

    2024

    2023

    2022

    2021

    2020

    Questions? Visit tpchd.org/septic or contact us at ehsepticsystems@tpchd.org or (253) 649-1925.