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Sewer Connection

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1. My septic tank works fine, so why do I have to connect to the sewer system?

To eliminate the possibility of the effluent (partially treated sewage from your septic tank and drain field) from leaching into groundwater. Each property is required by County Code to connect to the sewer and abandon their septic tank within one year of being notified of the availability of sewer service.

2. What happens if I do not connect?

Failure to comply with the requirement to connect to sewer by the deadline will cause our office to turn the matter over to the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney for legal action.

3. Can a contractor "mark-up" the cost of the sewer connection permit?

Spokane County does not get involved in what a contractor charges you for the permit(s) or any other aspect of your contract. We suggest that you get at least three written bids prior to signing a contract for your sewer connection.

4. Can I do the sewer work myself?

Yes, the sewer connection work can be performed by the property owner provided that the owner attends an on-site consultation with Wastewater System Division personnel prior to doing the work. Signed agreement to the consultation is required prior to permit issuance. The property owner cannot perform work within the public right-of-way. There are significant potential risks related to digging and working in trenches and Spokane County recommends the property owner give careful consideration to the risks and liability before undertaking this work.

5. Can I drain my swimming pool into the sewer?

No. The Spokane County sewer system is designed and intended for sanitary sewer usage only. Draining swimming pools into the system would reduce the capacity in the collection lines and the capacity in the treatment plants. Your monthly sewer bill is based on water usage in your home. A single family dwelling is billed based on an average monthly water usage of 800 cubic-feet. Discharging your swimming pool would exceed the amount of usage you are billed for.

6. Can I have a RV dump on my parcel?

Yes, if it is located on your residential property, but you need to discuss this with a Wastewater System Division staff person prior to construction / installation. The RV dump cannot be used to serve an RV or mobile home that serves as a residence. It is only allowed for occasional use by the owner of the property and cannot be used as a community or family RV dump. If it is to be used as a commercial RV Dump, plans would have to be submitted to the Spokane County Wastewater System Division for approval and sewer connection fees and usage fees would have to be determined and satisfied.

7. Can I pipe floodwater from my basement or foundation drains into the sewer?

No. The Spokane County sewer system is designed and intended for sanitary sewer usage only. Pumping floodwater from your basement or foundation drains into the system would reduce the capacity in the collection lines and the capacity in the treatment plants. Your monthly sewer bill is based on water usage in your home. A single family dwelling is billed based on an average monthly water usage of 800 cubic-feet. Discharging sump pumps or foundation drains would exceed the amount of usage you are billed for.

8. Can I pipe the roof runoff into the sewer?

No. This answer is similar to the above answer pertaining to swimming pools. In addition, roof runoff is considered stormwater, and Washington State Law prohibits the injection of stormwater into a sanitary sewer system.

9. Can I put a floor drain in my shop / garage and connect it to the sewer?

Usually not. The Spokane County Wastewater System Division reviews these requests on a case by case basis. If allowed, you will probably be required to install a sand trap and an oil-water separator to prevent soils and oil from entering the Spokane County Sanitary Sewer System.

10. Can my next-door neighbor and I share a common trench with our sewer pipes?

Yes, but first, a private sewer easement must be established and the easement document must be recorded with the Spokane County Auditor's Office. A copy of that easement document must be provided to the Wastewater System Division before a sewer connection permit will be issued.

11. Does my septic tank have to be removed?

No, it can remain in place. A licensed septic tank pumper must remove the contents of the tank, and your excavation contractor is required to fill the empty tank with sand, pea gravel, or clean native material. If the septic tank is not filled at the time of sewer connection and inspection, a separate permit and inspection is required by the Spokane Regional Health District for abandonment of the septic tank.

12. How should I go about hiring a side sewer contractor?

View this document on how to hire a contractor.

13. How long is a sewer permit good for?

Sewer connection permits expire 12 months from date of issuance.

14. How much does it cost for a contractor to connect my property to sewer?

The cost varies depending on how much digging is involved and if the residence or business connection has basement facilities. The Wastewater System Division recommends that at least 3 written bids be obtained from licensed sewer excavation contractors. Most residential connections cost in the range of $3,000 to $5,000. If there is significant landscaping or pavement that the contractor is required to restore, the cost can increase substantially.

In addition to the connection costs, each property is required to pay a Capital Facilities Rate (CFR) to Spokane County, which covers a share of the cost of constructing the collection sewers, interceptor sewers, pumping stations and treatment facilities.

15. I have a large enough parcel to subdivide. What are the sewer service requirements?

Current policy allows a 4-inch sewer service to serve a single family home or a duplex. A 6-inch sewer service will serve 3 single family homes, or a duplex and 1 single family home. The service requirements for developments in excess of 3 lots and high-density developments may require design by a licensed engineer and are subject to review by the Wastewater System Division. 

16. What does a sewer connection permit cost?

As of April 1, 2019 the sewer connection permit fee is $130 plus a $27.12 application fee, for a total of $157.12 for each building connecting to the sewer. A separate sewer connection permit is required for each tax parcel. If each side of a duplex is located on its own parcel, a permit is required for each side. A parcel with multiple buildings will be charged a sewer connection permit fee for each building connecting to the sewer. All buildings on a single parcel can be included on a single connection permit. The sewer connection permit fee and the application fee are subject to future increases.

17. What happens if I do not have the money to connect?

If you meet applicable low-income thresholds, you may qualify for assistance. Please call us at 509-477-3604 to inquire.

To apply for an Extension of Time for sewer connection, please contact us at 509-477-3604. Although an extension may be granted, you will still be required to connect to the sewer.

18. When do I have to complete my connection to the sewer system?

The Wastewater System Division sends notification letters to property owners establishing the mandatory one-year connection period and connection deadline for their property. If you have any questions relative to the connection status of your property or your connection deadline, please call the Wastewater System Division at 509-477-3604.

19. Where is my sewer connection (stub)?

The Wastewater System Division has records for sewer stub locations and can mail, email, fax or in some instances describe the location over the phone. Drawings of the sewer stub location as well as the sewer pipe connection for the building can be viewed on the Wastewater System Division website via the Sewer Connections button.

20. Why do I need a permit to connect to the sewer?

When your property is connected to the sewer system, a Spokane County inspector generates a Sewer Connection Inspection Report with a drawing showing where the sewer line(s), fittings, clean-outs, etc. are located in the event those items need to be located in the future for repairs, additions, or other improvements to the property. In addition, the sewer inspector observes the actual connection to make sure that it complies with Spokane County standards. Revenue from sewer connection permit fees pays for the cost of inspecting your sewer connection and all of the necessary data and record keeping pertaining to how and when your property was connected to the Spokane County Sewer System.

21. Why does the monthly sewer service fee keep going up?

The increase in monthly sewer service fees is necessary to cover operating cost for the collection systems and treatment plants. Also, the County needs to fund significant capital improvement projects at the wastewater treatment plants that are necessary to meet stringent regulatory requirements for protection of water quality in the Spokane River.

22. Will Spokane County complete my sewer connection for me?

No, the County will not perform work on private property to connect a structure to the stub at the property line.

If a property has a dryline sewer from the structure to the property line, the street end of the dryline sewer may be connected to the sewer main as part of the sewer construction in the right of way. The property owner still must complete the connection at the house to divert sewage through the dryline and complete the abandonment of the septic tank. A sewer connection permit is still required to complete the connection.