Goode & Associates

Serving Southwest Washington since 2002

(360) 736-5218

Goode and Associates is a local land-use consulting firm specializing in septic system design. As a Licensed Designer since 2002, Jeannie Yackley began her unusual career in septic system design while working for Lewis County as an Environmental Health Specialist. Jeannie purchased Goode and Associates in 2002 and has completed hundreds of designs in Southwest Washington in the last 16 years. Her focus is on the big picture whether working on new construction or repairs, i.e. - What is the least-cost/longest-lasting septic system the site can support while meeting the needs of the customer?

Mon-Fri 8-5 and Saturday by appointment

Purchasing Land?

When purchasing vacant land, Jeannie recommends a feasibility study to evaluate the site and determine the minimum required septic system type. Septic system costs can range from $4500 to more than $25,000, depending on the site’s type and depth of native soil, the depth to a perched water table, the amount and slope of the land area, and the number of the home’s bedrooms. Occasionally, a site is simply unsuitable and cannot be permitted by the county. A feasibility study can answer these questions before investing in a piece of property.

Purchasing an Existing Home?

With an existing residence, it is always a good idea to check the county records to verify the septic system was permitted for what was actually constructed. Homeowners often convert storage space to bedrooms without realizing the impact to the septic system. Additionally, a pumper’s report from having the septic tank pumped is not enough information to determine whether the existing septic system was permitted and is functioning correctly. As a Licensed Designer, Jeannie’s evaluation of existing records, along with a site inspection, will help a buyer fully understand the septic system’s function and limitations.

For more information, call Goode & Associates, Jeannie Yackley at (360) 736-5218 or email [email protected]

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Professional Septic System Design Services

Goode & Associates uses Computer Aided Drafting to produce scaled, legible plans. Designs can be transmitted to surveyors, engineers, and architects as a .dwg file. Field work is performed using a Topcon 239 electronic total station and Recon data collector. Goode & Associates works with many local installers to see your project through to completion.

Design Example page 1

Design Example page 2

Design Example page 3

Gravity Distribution vs. Alternative Systems

When the State of Washington approved septic system regulations in 1974, the focus was on disposal of septic tank effluent and minimizing exposure to pathogens. As land development continued and our population density increased, the focus of the regulations transitioned to treatment of the effluent before disposal. An effective treatment medium is native, undisturbed soil. However, many sites do not naturally possess the required soil depth needed for a standard, conventional gravity distribution treatment system. In order to make up for the lack of soil, different distribution methods (i.e. pressure distribution) or additional treatment units may be added to the system in order to meet the code requirements and protect public health. The type of system and potential installation and maintenance costs is part of the design process at Goode & Associates. Our designer will present options and involve the customer in design decisions.

SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN AND THE PERMIT PROCESS:

Prior to installing a septic system, a design must be prepared by a Licensed Designer. This design matches the homeowner’s needs with the technology available to provide affordable, efficient, reliable wastewater treatment. The Licensed Designer interviews the homeowner to determine the number of bedrooms in the proposed home, the footprint of all structures to be built, proposed landscaping plans, and then works to incorporate the septic system into the overall site plan. Typically, the site plan prepared by the Designer is also used as the site plan for the building permit. Once designs have been prepared by the Designer, they are then submitted to the health department for review and approval. A permit is then issued for construction of the system. During construction, the Designer consults with the Installer and inspects the construction to ensure that the system is installed according to the approved plan. The Designer is also responsible for providing operation and maintenance instructions to the homeowner.

TYPES OF SEPTIC SYSTEMS:

Several different types of systems are available to meet specific site conditions, user’s needs, and permitting requirements. A general description of each system type is included.

Gravity Distribution Trench:

The simplest of all system types, this system relies on gravity flow to move wastewater from the septic tank to the drain field. The septic tank is a two compartment, usually concrete, vessel, which captures all of the household sewage and gray water from the residence and allows for settling of solids. The liquid moves from this tank by gravity to the drain field, which is constructed of trenches, filled with drain rock or a plastic gravel less chamber product. Gravity systems do not equally distribute wastewater to the drain field trenches and require better soil conditions to finish treatment of the wastewater. Gravity systems can be used when suitable soil depth exceeds 48 inches.

Pressure Distribution Trench:

All systems other than gravity distribution systems use pressure distribution of the wastewater. A pressure distribution trench system is identical in size to that using gravity distribution. The difference in the two methods is the amount of suitable soil present. In the case of a pressure distribution trench system, a second single-compartment chamber is installed downstream from the septic tank. The second tank works as a pump chamber, allowing for storage of the wastewater and the installation of a pump to pressure dose the drain field. Pressure distribution of wastewater is equal, meaning the entire drain field is used during a dose which allows for better treatment of the wastewater, mitigating the shallow soil depth. A pressure distribution trench system can be designed when suitable soil depth exceeds 30 inches.

Pressure Distribution Trench w/ Treatment:

When soil depth is not deep enough to support a pressure distribution trench system, treatment of the wastewater must be made up by installing a treatment system. Several options are available for treatment including intermittent sand filters or proprietary treatment systems. The system is the same as a regular pressure distribution trench system except the wastewater passes through a treatment system after leaving the pump chamber. The wastewater is then pumped from the treatment system to the drain field for final treatment and disposal. Pressure distribution trenches with treatment can be installed when soil is deeper than 18 inches. An alternative to this system would be a mound which is discussed below.

Mound:

Mound systems do not include trench drain fields. Instead, wastewater is pumped from the pump chamber to a “mound” of manufactured coarse sand and drain rock which allows for filtration and treatment of the wastewater prior to final treatment and disposal in the site soils. Mounds can be constructed so that they are backfilled on the upslope side and blend into the landscape in order to minimize their appearance.

Mound w/ Treatment:

A mound system with treatment is used when soils are marginally suitable. The same as a pressure distribution trench system with treatment, the additional treatment is necessary to clean up the wastewater before final treatment in the mound and disposal in the native soils. These systems are used when suitable soil depths are between 12 and 18 inches. An alternative to this system would be the proprietary Glendon system.

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