Next week Whatcom County will celebrate “Septic Smart Week.”

It’s an annual event focusing on septic tank maintenance.

According to the health department, 28,500 homeowners and businesses in Whatcom County rely on a septic system to contain and treat wastewater.

Environmental Health Manager John Wolpers says beyond protecting human and environmental health, maintaining your septic system is the best way to protect your investment in your home or business.

The department has a number of tips to keep up with your system’s maintenance.

Maintaining a septic system can feel daunting for some, but it doesn’t have to be. Homeowners can take advantage of several tips and resources to become “septic smart” and reduce the burden of septic maintenance:

 Have your septic system evaluated every one or three years and have it pumped when it’s 1/3 full – Evaluations and pumping are different, and both are important parts of routine septic system care.

 Sign up for our free septic maintenance class for homeowners – Classes are held monthly at the Ferndale WECU. Class details and registration info can be found at whatcomcounty.us/septic. If you can’t make a class, training materials are available online.

 Take advantage of septic rebates – Rebates are available for septic evaluations, equipment installation and septic tank pumping when done by a licensed professional. To qualify you must attend the in person septic class provided by WCHD. Contact Kate Rice at Whatcom County Public Works for more information: krice@co.whatcom.wa.us or 360-778-6302.

 Apply for a loan program to repair or replace a failing septic system – Loans are offered through a partnership between Whatcom County and the non-profit lender, Craft 3.

 Take everyday steps to protect your system – Simple steps like using less water; not putting household chemicals, grease, or septic tank additives down the drain or into your system; and directing runoff from downspouts or driveways away from septic drainfields can help protect a septic system and keep costly repairs at bay.

Failing septic systems can leak waste and wastewater into groundwater used for wells and into local rivers, lakes and beaches, contaminating them with bacteria that can make people sick. The Whatcom County Health Department works with septic system professionals and homeowners to ensure septic systems in Whatcom County are functioning well and to prevent waste from polluting the water we need all rely on for many other uses.