Washington State Department of Ecology

Permitting Authority for Large On-site Sewage Systems (LOSS)

Permitting Authority for large on-site sewage systems (LOSS) transfers to the Washington State Department of Health on July 1, 2009

The Washington State Legislature has transferred permitting authority for large on-site sewage systems (LOSS) with a flow design up to 100,000 gallons per day from the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) to the state Department of Health (Chapter 70.118B RCW), effective July 1, 2009. Previously, Ecology regulated all LOSS with design flows greater than 14,500 gallons per day.

With our new direction:

The Department of Health will permit wastewater treatment systems with a design flow of less than 100,000 gallons per day that discharge to the subsurface and only handle domestic waste. This includes systems that may have mechanical or lagoon treatment prior to their drainfield discharge.
Ecology will continue to regulate systems that receive industrial waste or stormwater, or that discharge to surface water.
Systems with unexpired Ecology permits remain under their current permit, regulated by Ecology, until the permit expires. Applications for renewal must be submitted to the Department of Health at least 120 days prior to the permit’s expiration date.
Operating permits issued by the Department of Health in accordance with Chapter 70.118B RCW are issued for a period of one year and must be renewed annually.
Fewer than 25 systems will be affected across the state. The state is sending written notification to these operators.

The Department of Health is in the process of drafting rules for its new responsibilities. For more information, please contact:

Denise Lahmann
Washington State Department of Health
Office of Shellfish and Water Protection
Wastewater Management Section
360-236-3348
denise.lahmann@doh.wa.gov
Website: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/WW/LOSS/default.htm

For more information or questions for Ecology’s Water Quality Program, please contact:

Laurie Morgan
Washington State Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program
360-407-6483
laurie.morgan@ecy.wa.gov