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Residents press for DIY septic inspection program; councilors point to Tacoma‑Pierce County Health Department authority
Summary
A resident urged Pierce County to adopt a do‑it‑yourself septic inspection program referencing a Washington State Department of Health video; Council member Denson clarified the Tacoma‑Pierce County Health Department governs such programs and said the board is working on a potential program for 2026.
During community forum at the Feb. 11 Pierce County Council meeting, a resident urged the county to adopt a do‑it‑yourself (DIY) septic inspection program, saying the Washington State Department of Health produced a training video and that other counties have used similar approaches. The commenter said seniors, veterans and low‑income residents would benefit and asked the county to publicize the option widely.
Council member Denson responded later in the meeting to explain that septic system inspections and any DIY program fall under the authority of the Tacoma‑Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), which is a separate regional agency with its own Board of Health. Denson said the health department has discussed the topic and staff have presented to the Board of Health; she said the department is working on the matter and that a program might be possible by 2026, but the council does not have the authority to unilaterally adopt a program.
Denson encouraged residents who want a DIY program to present to the Board of Health, attend local meetings and email the department. She noted a local meeting on the Key Peninsula and said District 7 distributed a newsletter to its email list announcing the session. Council member Gruber suggested the council could request a presentation from the health department or explore appeals to the state if regulatory changes are needed.
No formal action was taken by the council; comments were framed as requests for advocacy and clarification about which agency has jurisdiction.
Speakers who addressed this topic urged the TPCHD to move faster and asked for broader outreach so homeowners are aware of inspection options; council members reiterated that TPCHD is the governing body for this program and recommended residents raise the issue directly with the Board of Health.
