Thurston County septic O&M checklist
Quick facts
| Topic | What Thurston materials say (re-check live) |
|---|---|
| Inspection / certificate | Owners renew operational certificates on the schedule in their notice. State baseline still applies: gravity-style at least every 3 years; other OSS annually unless LHJ is stricter. Some proprietary products (e.g. Glendon®) are annual and professional-only. |
| Self-inspect allowed? | Yes, if certified for a qualifying system after county training. Call O&M at 360-867-2626 to check eligibility and register. Do not self-inspect without certification. |
| Qualifying system types (class materials) | Conventional / standard gravity, pump-to-gravity, standard pressure, mound (confirm on the live class page — wording varies slightly across Thurston pages). |
| Prior professional inspection | At least one inspection on file from a certified septic professional before self-inspect certification. Check history on OnlineRME; older systems: call staff. |
| Ongoing pro check | Starting January 1, 2026, self-inspectors must obtain a satisfactory professional inspection at least every 9 years (per county class/policy pages). |
| Report portal | Professionals and certified homeowners submit to OnlineRME. |
Homeowner checklist
- Read your operational certificate renewal notice — it drives what to do and when.
- Look up past reports at OnlineRME. Confirm system type.
- Default: schedule a Thurston-certified septic professional to inspect and submit OnlineRME.
- Self-inspect path: call 360-867-2626 (or email environmental_health@co.thurston.wa.us per class page) to confirm you qualify, then complete the free workshop/videos/field pieces the county requires. County pages warn about illness/injury risks around open tanks.
- Glendon / other proprietary: follow policy updates — often professional-only with manufacturer-trained inspectors.
Disclosures
Not affiliated with Thurston County, WA DOH, or OnlineRME. Certification required before homeowner reporting. See about & disclosures.