Septic System Workshop Offered in May

This May, Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District and its partners will offer a FREE Septic System workshops to Clackamas County residents.

“Know Your Septic System – Check It, Fix It and Maintain It!”

  • Thursday, May 4th, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Estacada Public Library, 825 NAW Wade St., Estacada, OR 97023 This event has been canceled. Please register for the event on Thursday, May 18th in Damascus.
  • Thursday, May 18, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Lewis and Clark Charter School, 15600 SE 232nd Dr., Damascus, OR 97089

Community members who attend this FREE workshop will have an opportunity to:

  • Learn how septic systems work
  • Learn how to properly maintain a septic system
  • Recognize signs of septic system failure
  • Become familiar with County codes and permits for septic systems
  • Find technical and financial assistance

Workshop participants may bring a sample of their private well water to be screened for nitrates. Knowing what is in your water can impact your health. Directions for collecting water samples can be found here.

Workshop participants in the Clackamas River Watershed are also eligible for a $200 Septic System Inspection Rebate.

To register, please contact Tami Guttridge by email or by calling 503-210-6000.

Well maintained and properly functioning septic systems provide effective onsite wastewater treatment, allow groundwater to be recharged onsite, and makes more clean water available for all of us to use. Septic systems also treat the effluent naturally and allow water to seep into the ground, which keeps moisture on site to help plants grow and replenish the water supply.

Proper care and maintenance of septic systems can help keep homeowners and their neighbors healthy and protect drinking water and our environment. For homeowners, proper care can also prevent costly repairs or replacement of systems, protect property values, and conserve water.

Check out these useful SepticSmart tips:

  •  Protect It and Inspect It: In general, homeowners should have their system inspected every three years by a licensed contractor and have their tank pumped when necessary, generally every three to five years.
  •  Think at the Sink: Avoid pouring fats, grease, and solids down the drain, which can clog a system’s pipes and drainfield.
  •  Don’t Overload the Commode: Ask guests to only to put things in the drain or toilet that belong there. For example, coffee grounds, dental floss, disposable diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts, and cat litter can all clog and potentially damage septic systems.
  •  Don’t Strain Your Drain: Be water efficient and spread out water use. Consider fixing plumbing leaks and installing faucet aerators and water-efficient products, and spread out laundry and dishwasher loads throughout the day. Too much water at once can overload a system if it hasn’t been pumped recently.
  •  Shield Your Field: Remind guests not to park or drive on a system’s drainfield, where the vehicle’s weight could damage buried pipes or disrupt underground flow.

Partners in this workshop are Clackamas River Water Providers, Clackamas County, and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

 

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Clackamas SWCD