PORT ANGELES — Clallam County has launched a website for do-it-yourself septic inspection certifications.
The “Septics 201 DYI Homeowner Septic Inspection Program” can be accessed at www.clallam.net/Septics201DIY.
Environmental health staff developed the program to give homeowners a cost-effective way to comply with state septic inspection regulations.
By completing Septics 201, owners of certain on-site septic systems can do inspections without having to pay a professional.
The online Septics 201 do-it-yourself course is part of a broader Clallam County septic system inspection and training and certification program.
Clallam County requires Septics 101 — either in person or online — as a prerequisite for Septics 201.
The program covers self-inspection of conventional gravity systems, pressure distribution systems, sand filter systems and mound systems.
Other types of septic systems, such as aerobic treatment units, biofilters and systems with proprietary devices, are ineligible for do-it-yourself inspections and must be evaluated by a professional.
Those who live in the county Marine Recovery Area for Dungeness Bay must have a professional inspection on file with the county before getting a Septic 201 do-it-yourself certification.
The Septics 201 course consists of a 25-minute video followed by an exam.
Homeowners must answer at lease 80 percent of the questions correctly to become a certified inspector.
An in-person option for Septics 201 is available on a limited basis.
Classes will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 19, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 19 and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 3.
To register, visit www.clallam.net and click on “Online Septic 101 and 201 Classes” under the “Online Services” tab or phone the county Health and Human Services Environmental Health division at 360-417-2506.