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Oregon Septic Smart

Septic Smart logoThe Oregon DEQ is joining efforts with industry professionals and private citizens to help educate Oregonians about the importance of septic systems, septic system inspections and proper septic system maintenance. 

The Oregon Septic Smart Initiative has two main goals:

  1. Provide Oregonians with easy access to important information about their septic systems
  2. Provide Oregonians with easy access to certified industry professionals that perform septic system inspections (Existing System Evaluations)

​​​​​Join Oregon SepticSmart

The Oregon SepticSmart program will have a new online sign-up survey available starting June 1, 2026. Anyone with an approved certification that signs up between June 1, 2026, and Dec. 15, 2026, will be added to the current SepticSmart Inspector List. ​

Approved certifications are: DEQ Installer Certification, DEQ Maintenance Provider Certification, NAWT Wastewater Tech Inspector with a sewage disposal service license, Oregon Registered Wastewater Specialist, Oregon Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Licensed Professional Engineer. Anyone with one of these certifications and knowledge and experience inspecting onsite systems can opt-in to the list. DEQ provides the list to help the public find certified inspectors for their septic systems. Inspectors report their aggregate findings annually.

Stay Oregon SepticSmart
To remain on the current SepticSmart Inspector List, inspectors must report their yearly Existing System Evaluation Report findings annually via a survey provided by DEQ. For the 2026 reporting year, surveys will be sent out Dec. 15, 2026, and due Feb. 1, 2027. Any inspector that has not submitted their 2026 inspection results will be removed from the SepticSmart inspector list March 1, 2027.​

What you need to know 

The Existing System Evaluation Report Form must be used when reporting the findings from a septic system evaluation. This form must be filled out completely.  

Additional resources

The following materials may be helpful to educate your customers about the importance of septic system inspectors and proper septic system maintenance: 

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​​The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality recommends having your septic system evaluated by a professional if you’re buying or selling a home.

What you need to know? 

Septic system evaluations are voluntary. However, if you do have an evaluation, you must use the approved form. 

Who can provide this service? 

DEQ requires evaluators to be one of the following: An installer, maintenance provider, wastewater specialist, environmental health specialist and National Association of Wastewater Technicians (NAWT) certified inspector with experience inspecting existing septic systems. 

A great place to start is our list of professionals who have signed up to be Oregon SepticSmart Inspectors​. Remember to check references.

Frequently Asked Questions about existing system evaluation report form and inspections. ​