CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLERS, MONITORING
A.
General
Requirements.
1.
Persons shall
obtain Health Officer
approval, and the appropriate
certification pursuant to the requirements of this section, prior to providing
service to, or on, or construction, repair
, or modification
of, an onsite sewage
system, except for:
a)
The
employees of Health Officer-certified individuals who are under the direct
supervision of the certified individual; or
b)
The
resident-owner of a single-family residence
making minor repairs to the
onsite sewage system connected to the residence as allowed under Section 14 of these regulations; or
c)
Persons
licensed by the state as an onsite sewage system designer
or engineer
when operating under the
terms and conditions of their license.
2.
It
shall be unlawful for any person
to engage in the business of
onsite sewage system design , installation
,
modification , monitoring and maintaining, pumping, or other activities related
to onsite sewage systems without possessing a valid certification or license,
except as authorized under these regulations.
3.
Certifications
granted pursuant to these regulations are not assignable.
4.
Certifications
are valid for up to one year, and must be renewed annually as directed by the
Health Officer .
5.
Certifications
are a privilege granted by the Health Officer to competent, capable, and
qualified individuals, and certification may
be suspended, rescinded, withdrawn,
or not reissued by the Health Officer in accordance with Section 17.F. of these regulations.
6.
The
Health Officer may refuse to accept applications from state licensed designers
or engineers for just cause, such as a documented history of poor performance
or failure to meet state guidelines for licensure.
7.
The
Health Officer shall not accept applications from state licensed designers or
engineers who are not in good standing with their licensing requirements.
8.
As
a condition of conducting onsite sewage system work in
Kitsap
County
under their respective certification or licensing, onsite sewage system
contractors shall :
a)
Conform and adhere to the terms and conditions
of their certification or licensing;
b)
Conform
and adhere to applicable rules and regulations;
c)
Conduct
their business in good faith;
d)
Complete
work that they have committed to in a reasonable and timely manner; and
e)
Be
reasonably responsive to client and Health Officer inquiries or requests regarding
work conducted under their certification or licensing.
B.
Certification
Requirements for Installers.
1.
New Certification . In order to obtain Health
Officer-approval and certification , a person shall meet the following
requirements:
a)
Be Eligible to Take the
Certification Test. In order to be eligible to take the certification test, a
person shall demonstrate completion of the following to the Health Officer :
(1)
Attend
and complete at least 40 hours of onsite sewage system -related training from a
Health Officer-approved entity; and
(2)
Complete
at least one year of onsite sewage system installation work experience under
the supervision and direction of a Health Officer certified Installer
, and
provide documentation of this work experience. The Health Officer may , at their discretion, accept work experience completed
in another county in
Washington
State
, or grant reciprocity for an installer
certification earned in another county in
Washington
State
,
upon submittal of documentation and references.
b)
Submit
Application and Fees. After meeting the eligibility requirements contained in Section 17.B.1.a), a person shall
complete and submit a Certification Application with applicable fees to the
Health Officer .
c)
Testing.
Upon review and acceptance of a Certification Application, the Health Officer
shall notify the prospective applicant of the date and time of certification
testing, or refer the applicant to an accepted
testing organization. The
prospective applicant shall complete and obtain a passing score of 70% or
higher on certification test prior to being considered for certification by the
Health Officer .
d)
Bonding.
(1)
Prior to issuance of certification by the Health
Officer, prospective applicants must obtain and submit to the Health Officer
proof a valid surety bond running to the Kitsap County Board of Health
in the sum of at least
$6,000, or an amount as required by the Washington State Department
of Labor and Industry. The
bond shall be executed by a surety company duly authorized to act as a surety
business in the State ofWashington guaranteeing the
faithful compliance with all rules, regulations, and ordinances relating to
onsite sewage systems.
(2)
Any
person who may be damaged by the failure of the Health Officer certified
contractor to comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and ordinances shall , in addition to other legal remedies, have the right
of action in his own name for damages not exceeding the face value of the bond.
The bond shall also be conditioned by the total liability of the surety there
under for all causes of action arising during the period for which the bond has
been issued. Said liability shall not exceed the sum of $6,000.
(3)
The
bond shall cover a 2-year period beyond any expiration of the certification .
e)
Insurance.
General Liability Insurance coverage shall also be obtained by the prospective
applicant prior to Health Officer consideration for certification
, and submitted to the Health Officer . Insurance coverage shall be at
least in the amount of $50,000 property damage policy and $200,000 public
liability policy, or $250,000 combined single limit policy, or as required by
the Washington State Department of Labor and Industry. A copy of the
certificate of insurance shall be attached to the bond and shall include the Health
District
as an additional named
insured party and/or certificate holder.
f)
State
Contractors License. A
Washington
State
contractors license
shall be obtained, and proof of such submitted to the Health Officer
, prior to certification issuance.
g)
Equipment
Requirements. Possess or have access to equipment and tools necessary to enable
construction of onsite sewage systems in accordance with these regulations.
h)
Probation.
Once the requirements for certification have been met, and certification is
granted by the Health Officer, the first year of certification shall be a
probation period for the Health Officer to ascertain fitness of the applicant
for final certification . Based upon performance
history and material fact during the probation period, the Health Officer may
/may not grant final certification . Fitness of the
applicant shall be evaluated by the Health Officer based on the following:
(1)
Demonstrated competency of onsite sewage system
rules, regulations, and ordinances;
(2)
Demonstrated
sound and fair business practices; and
(3)
Demonstrated
ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with the Health Officer and
the public.
i)
Continuing Education Requirements. As a
requirement of Health Officer certification , persons shall attend and obtain
continuing education credits in the field on onsite sewage systems (or other
related fields as pre-approved by the Health Officer ) on an annual basis. One
unit, or ten contact hours, of valid continuing education training are required
per certification year.
2.
Certification
Renewal.
a)
Certifications issued by the Health Officer
shall be valid for a maximum of one year, and shall expire on June 30th of each
year.
b)
To
renew certification , the applicant shall complete and
submit a certification renewal application, with applicable fee, to the Health
Officer within the designated time period. Applications not postmarked or
received by the Health Officer prior to the deadline shall be subject to a
late-comers fee pursuant to the current fee schedule, or may be classified as
void and rejected by the Health Officer . The renewal
application shall include:
(1)
Proof of sufficient continuing education units
(minimum 1.0 units per year);
(2)
Proof
of valid bonding and insurance; and
(3)
Proof
of valid contractor’s license.
c)
As
part of the certification renewal process, the Health Officer may conduct a
performance review.
d)
Certifications
granted by the Health Officer are not guaranteed and may not be renewed if the
contractor is not in good standing with the terms and conditions of their certification .
3.
Certification
Warranty for Work.
a)
As a condition of certification
, Health Officer approved
Installers shall guarantee
the integrity and functionality
of all onsite sewage systems that
they install for a period of 2 years from the date of Installation Permit
approval, or the initial use
of the system, whichever is longer.
b)
This
warranty is not intended to cover onsite sewage system malfunctions due to owner
abuse, or misuse, or
individual system components or proprietary devices that are warranted by the
manufacturer or distributor.
c)
This
warranty provision shall be initiated and enforced by the owner of the property
where the onsite sewage system is located and permitted to be. The warranty
shall not be limited to the privities between the designer and the original
developer or property owner .
C.
Certification
Requirements for Monitoring and Maintenance Service Providers.
1.
New Certification . In order to obtain Health
Officer-approval and certification , a person shall meet the following
requirements:
a)
Be Eligible to Take the
Certification Test. In order to be eligible to take the certification test, a
person shall :
(1)
Attend and complete at least 40 hours of onsite
sewage system -related training from a Health Officer-approved entity; and
(2)
Complete
at least one year of onsite sewage system monitoring and maintenance service
work experience under the supervision and direction of a Health Officer
certified Monitoring and Maintenance Service Provider, and provide
documentation of this work experience. The Health Officer may
, at their discretion, accept work experience completed in another
county in
Washington
State
, or grant reciprocity for a monitoring and
maintenance certification earned in another county in
Washington
State
,
upon submittal of documentation and references.
b)
Submit
Application and Fees. After meeting the eligibility requirements contained in Section 17.C.1.a), a person shall
complete and submit a Certification Application with applicable fees to the
Health Officer .
c)
Testing.
Upon review and acceptance of a Certification Application, the Health Officer
shall notify the prospective applicant of the date and time of certification
testing, or refer the applicant to an accepted testing organization. The
prospective applicant shall complete and obtain a passing score of 70% or
higher on certification test prior to being considered for certification by the
Health Officer .
d)
Bonding.
(1)
Prior to issuance of certification by the Health
Officer, prospective applicants must obtain and submit to the Health Officer
proof a valid surety bond running to the Kitsap County Board of Health in the
sum of at least $6,000, or an amount as required by the Washington State
Department of Labor and Industry. The bond shall be executed by a surety
company duly authorized to act as a surety business in the State of
Washington
guaranteeing
the faithful compliance with all rules, regulations, and ordinances relating to
onsite sewage systems.
(2)
Any
person who may be damaged by the failure of the Health Officer certified
contractor to comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and ordinances shall , in addition to other legal remedies, have the right
of action in his own name for damages not exceeding the face value of the bond.
The bond shall also be conditioned by the total liability of the surety therein
for all causes of action arising during the period for which the bond has been
issued. Said liability shall not exceed the sum of $6,000.
(3)
The
bond shall cover a 2-year period beyond any expiration of the certification .
e)
Insurance. Commercial
General Liability Insurance
coverage shall also be obtained by the prospective applicant prior to Health
Officer consideration for certification , and
submitted to the Health Officer . Insurance coverage shall be at least in the
amount of $50,000 property damage policy and $200,000 public liability policy,
or $250,000 combined single limit policy, or as required by the Washington
State Department of Labor and Industry. A copy of the certificate of insurance
shall be attached to the bond and shall include the Health District
as an additional
named insured party and/or certificate holder.
f)
State
Contractors License. A
Washington
State
contractors license
shall be obtained, and proof of such submitted to the Health Officer
, prior to certification issuance.
g)
Equipment
Requirements. Possess or have access to equipment and tools necessary to enable
the monitoring and maintenance of onsite sewage systems in accordance with
these regulations.
h)
Probation.
Once the requirements for certification have been met, and certification is
granted by the Health Officer, the first year of certification shall be a
probation period for the Health Officer to ascertain fitness of the applicant
for final certification . Based upon performance
history and material fact during the probation period, the Health Officer may
/may not grant final certification . Fitness of the
applicant shall be evaluated by the Health Officer based on the following:
(1)
Demonstrated competency of onsite sewage system
rules, regulations, and ordinances;
(2)
Demonstrated
sound and fair business practices; and
(3)
Demonstrated
ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with the Health Officer and
the public.
i)
Continuing Education Requirements. As a
requirement of Health Officer certification , persons shall attend and obtain
continuing education credits in the field on onsite sewage systems (or other
related fields as pre-approved by the Health Officer ) on an annual basis. One
unit, or ten contact hours, of valid continuing education training are required
per certification year.
2.
Certification
Renewal.
a)
Certifications issued by the Health Officer
shall be valid for a maximum of one year, and shall expire June 30th of each
year.
b)
To
renew certification , the applicant shall complete and
submit a certification renewal application, with applicable fee, to the Health
Officer within the designated time period. Applications not postmarked or
received by the Health Officer prior to the deadline shall be subject to a
late-comers fee pursuant to the current fee schedule, or may be classified as
void and rejected by the Health Officer . The renewal
application shall include:
(1)
Proof of sufficient continuing education units
(minimum 1.0 units per year);
(2)
Proof
of valid bonding and insurance; and
(3)
Proof
of valid contractor’s license.
c)
As
part of the certification renewal process, the Health Officer may conduct a
performance review.
d)
Certifications
granted by the Health Officer are not guaranteed and may not be renewed if the
contractor is not in good standing with the terms and conditions of their certification .
3.
Certification
Warranty for Work.
a)
As a condition of certification
, Health Officer approved Monitoring and Maintenance Providers shall
guarantee that they have performed and completed the minimum monitoring and
maintenance work required for each system that they have contractually
committed to pursuant to Health District requirements, and manufacturer
specifications.
b)
This
warranty is not intended to cover onsite sewage system monitoring or
maintenance work conducted or completed by the manufacturer or distributor of
system components or proprietary devices.
c)
This
warranty provision shall be initiated and enforced by the person or property
owner for which the Monitoring and Maintenance Service Provider has contracted
with.
D.
Certification
Requirements for Pumpers.
1.
New Certification . In order to obtain Health
Officer-approval and certification , a person shall meet the following
requirements:
a)
Eligible to Take Certification Test. In order to
be eligible to take the certification test, a person shall :
(1)
Attend and complete at least 40 hours of onsite
sewage system -related training from a Health Officer-approved entity; and
(2)
Complete
at least one year of onsite sewage system pumping service work experience under
the supervision and direction of a Health Officer certified Pumper
, and
provide documentation of this work experience. The Health Officer may accept
work experience completed in another county in
Washington
State
upon submittal of documentation and references.
b)
Application
and Fees. After meeting the eligibility requirements contained in Section 17.D.1.a), a person shall
complete and submit a Certification Application with applicable fees to the
Health Officer .
c)
Testing.
Upon review and acceptance of a Certification Application, the Health Officer
shall notify the prospective applicant of the date and time of certification
testing, or refer the applicant to an accepted testing organization. The
prospective applicant shall complete and obtain a passing score of 70% or
higher on certification test prior to being considered for certification by the
Health Officer .
d)
Bonding.
(1)
Prior to issuance of certification by the Health
Officer, prospective applicants must obtain and submit to the Health Officer
proof a valid surety bond running to the Kitsap County Board of Health in the
sum of at least $6,000, or an amount as required by the Washington State
Department of Labor and Industry. The bond shall be executed by a surety
company duly authorized to act as a surety business in the State of
Washington
guaranteeing
the faithful compliance with all rules, regulations, and ordinances relating to
onsite sewage systems.
(2)
Any
person who may be damaged by the failure of the Health Officer certified
contractor to comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and ordinances shall , in addition to other legal remedies, have the right
of action in his own name for damages not exceeding the face value of the bond.
The bond shall also be conditioned by the total liability of the surety there
under for all causes of action arising during the period for which the bond has
been issued. Said liability shall not exceed the sum of $6,000.
(3)
The
bond shall cover a 2-year period beyond any expiration of the certification .
e)
Insurance.
Commercial General Liability Insurance coverage shall also be obtained by the
prospective applicant prior to Health Officer consideration for certification , and submitted to the Health Officer.
Insurance coverage shall be at least in the amount of $50,000 property damage
policy and $200,000 public liability policy, or $250,000 combined single limit
policy, or as required by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industry.
A copy of the certificate of insurance shall be attached to the bond and shall
include the Health District as an additional named insured party and/or
certificate holder.
f)
State
Contractors License. A
Washington
State
contractors license
shall be obtained, and proof of such submitted to the Health Officer
, prior to certification issuance.
g)
Equipment
Requirements.
(1)
Pump Trucks. Prior to issuing certification
, the applicant shall demonstrate, and submit for inspection to the
Health Officer , lawful possession and use of at least one pump truck. The pump
truck(s) shall meet applicable state Department of Transportation and the
following requirements:
(a)
The septage
tank on the pump truck shall
:
i.
Have a working
capacity of at least 1,250 gallons;
ii.
Be fully enclosed
and water-tight;
iii.
Be of metal
construction and be self-draining, with openings that close and seal securely;
iv.
Have overfill
protection;
v.
Have a minimum 2.5 inch intake, and a
minimum 4 inch outlet, with a safety locking devices to prevent spillage. A
flat plate bolted over an opening in the tank shall not constitute a legal outlet for septage ; and
vi.
Be equipped with
either a vacuum or other type of self-priming pump, hat will not allow leakage.
(a)
Contain sewage hose(s):
i.
Made of durable, easily cleanable construction
for the conveyance of sewage to and from the tank;
ii.
That
are easily drainable; and
iii.
That are easily storable on/to the truck in a manner that
will not create a public health or safety hazard.
(b)
Contain pressurized wash tank and water hose(s),
or water hose(s), sufficient for washing equipment or spillage.
Wash
tank(s) shall
contain a vacuum breaker to prevent cross contamination with sewage
.
(c)
Include metal rods, or other devices, suitable
to break up settled solids on the bottom of tanks so that they may be removed
during pumping, and that can be easily cleaned, stored, and secured to the pump
truck.
(d)
A tool for determining sludge and scum
measurements in tanks or
vessels.
(e)
Contain towels, rubber gloves, disinfection
solution, and a first aid
kit.
(f)
Include identification signage on both sides of
the truck that:
i.
Are in a contrasting color and at least 4 inches
high so that they are easily visible;
ii.
Contains
the business name submitted to the Health Officer , and business telephone
number, of the certified pumper ; and
iii.
Identifies
the tank capacity.
(2)
Each
pump truck in use by the pumper shall meet the minimum requirements of this
section, and be reported to the Health Officer prior to first usage, and
thereafter at least annually.
(3)
Holding
Tanks. If a pumper uses a holding tank(s), other than the pump truck(s), to
temporarily store or transport sewage , the pumper shall :
(a)
For stationary tanks, submit a scaled site plan
of the property where the holding tank(s) are located, obtain a holding tank
permit from the Health Officer , and develop and maintain a spill response
procedure manual which includes provisions for pressure testing, or leak
testing, the tank(s) once every ten years;
(b)
For transport tankers, meet the requirements for
pump tanks contained in Section
17.D.1.g).
h)
Probation.
Once the requirements for certification have been met, and certification is
granted by the Health Officer , the first year of
certification shall be a probation period for the Health Officer to ascertain
fitness of the applicant for final certification . Based upon performance
history and material fact during the probation period, the Health Officer may
/may not grant final certification . Fitness of the
applicant shall be evaluated by the Health Officer based on the following:
(1)
Demonstrated competency of onsite sewage system
rules, regulations, and ordinances;
(2)
Demonstrated
sound and fair business practices; and
(3)
Demonstrated
ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with the Health Officer and
the public.
i)
Continuing Education Requirements. As a
requirement of Health Officer certification , persons shall attend and obtain
continuing education credits in the field on onsite sewage systems (or other
related fields as pre-approved by the Health Officer ) on an annual basis. One
unit, or ten contact hours, of valid continuing education training are required
per certification year.
2.
Certification
Renewal.
a)
Certifications issued by the Health Officer
shall be valid for a maximum of one year, and shall expire June 30th of each
year.
b)
To
renew certification , the applicant shall complete and
submit a certification renewal application, with applicable fee, to the Health
Officer within the designated time period. Applications not postmarked or
received by the Health Officer prior to the deadline will be subject to a
late-comers fee pursuant to the current fee schedule, or may be classified as
void and rejected by the Health Officer . The renewal
application shall include:
(1)
Proof of sufficient continuing education units
(minimum 1.0 units per year);
(2)
Proof
of valid bonding and insurance; and
(3)
Proof
of valid contractor’s license.
c)
As
part of the certification renewal process, the Health Officer may conduct a
performance review.
d)
Certifications
granted by the Health Officer are not guaranteed and may not be renewed if the
contractor is not in good standing with the terms and conditions of their certification .
3.
Pumping
Procedures and Requirements. In addition to the requirements of Section 17D. of
these regulations, pumpers shall :
a)
Dispose or disperse septage pumpings only at sites approved by the Health Officer or the state Department of Ecology
;
b)
Possess
at all times during pumping, transport, or septage disposal or dispersal,
origin-destination records for all sewage pumping activities rendered;
c)
Submit
reports to the Health Officer , through forms or procedures approved by the
Health Officer , of pumping records for all sewage pumping activities rendered
to document proper handling and disposal, including:
(1)
Source location address, date, volume, and type
of materials pumped from each site;
(2)
Other
maintenance or repair activities conducted at each site; and
(3)
Name
and location of the facility where pumpings have been disposed/dispersed, and the volume disposed/dispersed
during each visit.
E.
Competency
Requirements for Resident Owners of Single-Family Residences - Onsite
Sewage System Installation and Monitoring and Maintenance
1.
Onsite Sewage System Installation
. In addition to the
requirements of Section 12.B.3. and
12.B.4., resident owners of single-family residences shall complete the
following requirements prior to beginning the installation of an onsite sewage
system:
a)
Obtain and review a copy of the approved Building
Site Application
for the proposed site;
b)
Review
these regulations;
c)
Obtain
designer concurrence
pursuant to Section 12.C.1. of these regulations;
d)
Schedule
and attend an installation permit competency meeting with the Health Officers
designated staff representative;
e)
Sign
and return to the Health Officer a homeowner system installation agreement
form;
f)
Obtain
an Onsite Sewage System Installation Permit if approved by the Health Officer ;
and
g)
Install
the system pursuant to Sections 12.B.
through D.
2.
Onsite
Sewage System Monitoring and Maintenance - New Certification
. In order to obtain Health
Officer-approval and certification , a person shall meet the following
requirements to conduct inspections and maintenance on alternative systems:
a)
Be Eligible to Take
Certification Test. In order to be eligible to take the certification test, a
person shall :
(1)
Attend and complete at least 8 hours of onsite
sewage system -related training from a Health Officer-approved entity; and
(2)
Obtain
a valid monitoring and maintenance contract with a Health Officer certified
monitoring and maintenance service provider for at least one year while
completing the Single-Family Residence Owner - Monitoring and Maintenance
Certification requirements of this section, or during the two (2) year warranty
period for new or replacement
installations.
b)
Submit
Application and Fees. After meeting the eligibility requirements contained in Section 17.E.2.a), a person shall
complete and submit a Certification Application with applicable fees to the
Health Officer .
c)
Testing.
Upon review and acceptance of a Certification Application, the Health Officer
shall notify the prospective applicant of the date and time of certification
testing, or refer the applicant to an accepted testing organization. The
prospective applicant shall complete and obtain a passing score of 70% or
higher on certification test prior to being considered for certification by the
Health Officer .
d)
Equipment
Requirements. Possess or have access to equipment and tools necessary to enable
the monitoring and maintenance of onsite sewage systems in accordance with
these regulations.
e)
Demonstration
of Field Competency. After completing the requirements of Section 17.E.2.a) through d), the applicant shall make an
appointment with the Health Officer , along with submittal of the applicable
fee, to perform the minimum required monitoring and maintenance service on
their respective onsite sewage system under the direct supervision of the
Health Officer .
f)
Probation.
Once the preceding requirements for certification have been met, and certification
is granted by the Health Officer, the first year of certification shall be a
probation period for the Health Officer to ascertain fitness of the applicant
for final certification . Based upon performance
history and material fact during the probation period, the Health Officer may
/may not grant final certification . Fitness of the
applicant shall be evaluated by the Health Officer based on the following:
(1)
Demonstrated competency of onsite sewage system
rules, regulations, and ordinances applicable to their onsite sewage system;
and
(2)
Demonstrated
ability to perform and the monitoring and maintenance service requirements on
their system, and submit the appropriate reports to the Health Officer .
3.
Onsite
Sewage System Monitoring and Maintenance - Certification Renewal.
a)
Certifications issued by the Health Officer
shall be valid for a maximum of one year, and shall expire June 30th of each
year.
b)
To
renew certification , the applicant shall complete and
submit a certification renewal application, with applicable fee, to the Health
Officer within the designated time period. Applications not postmarked or
received by the Health Officer prior to the deadline will be subject to a
late-comers fee pursuant to the current fee schedule, or may be classified as
void and rejected by the Health Officer .
c)
As
part of the certification renewal process, the Health Officer may conduct a
performance review.
d)
Certifications
granted by the Health Officer are not guaranteed and may not be renewed if the
applicant is not in good standing with the terms and conditions of their certification .
