SEQUIM — Clallam County is offering free classes in septic system maintenance and inspection.
Pre-registration is required for the Clallam County Environmental Health Septics 101 (“Septics Maintenance”) and Septics 201 (“Do-It-Yourself Septic Inspection”) classes in April and May.
Classes will be at the Dungeness River Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Park, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road.
Septics 101 will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6.
Septics 201 will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 21, and Wednesday, May 4.
To register, go to “Online Services” at www.clallam.net or call the environmental health department at 360-417-2506.
Septics 101 is a 2½-hour class that provides homeowners with an overview of the what, why and how of septic system maintenance.
As an alternate to the class, there is an online Septics 101 version available at www.clallam.net/Septics101.
Septics 101 is a prerequisite for Septics 201.
Septics 201 is a two-hour class that provides homeowners with an overview of the what, why and how of safely inspecting a septic system.
It includes an instructional video, a brief demonstration and a short exam.
An online Septics 201 DIY course is also available at www.clallam.net/Septics201DIY.
Not all septic systems are eligible for homeowner inspection, and systems located in the Marine Recovery Area — between Bagley Creek watershed and east to the county boundary — must first be inspected by a licensed septic inspector.
Before registering, go to www.clallam.net/septic, click on “Summary of Septic System Inspection Requirements” and check eligibility.
Septic inspections are required by state law, according to the county department.
Gravity septic systems must be inspected every three years; all other systems are to be inspected annually.
Pumping is not the same as an inspection.