Sewer Connection Incentive Program (SCIP)
Is your home on a septic system? If so, we invite you to learn more about Vancouver’s Sewer Connection Incentive Program (SCIP). SCIP provides an easy and affordable solution to septic owners in our service area who are ready to make the connection to our safe, reliable public wastewater system.
The City of Vancouver is working to protect and enhance the quality of our urban water resources, improve wastewater service and eliminate environmental health problems. The Sewer Connection Incentive Program (SCIP) was developed to help eliminate water quality and service problems from failing septic systems by replacing them with safe, public sanitary sewers.
About the program
- The Sewer Connection Incentive Program provides for construction of sanitary sewers while offering easy and affordable financing to homeowners.
- The goal of the program is to protect our water resources and assist homeowners in removing septic systems, especially systems that are failing or aging.
Why is this program important
- Failing septic systems are a potential source of increased pollution to our water resources.
- Failing septic systems often don’t fully treat waste, which can then migrate to a nearby stream, lake or shallow drinking water well.
- In extreme cases, failed drain systems can result in untreated waste in yards, creating a major health hazard.
How the program works
- The City of Vancouver works with Clark County Public Health to select projects based on a rating system that looks at local health hazards, proximity to drinking water supplies, proximity to surface water, septic tank failure rate, coordination with roadway improvement projects and homeowners’ support for the project.
- Once a project is selected, the City of Vancouver will design and construct a sanitary sewer extension in the street and bring a lateral line – a pipe from the sewer main – near the private property line. It generally takes about 9 months to a year from the time the project is selected until construction occurs. All residents will be notified by mail when construction of the sewer line and laterals are complete.
- If you decide to connect to the sewer system, you will need to hire a plumber. The plumber will connect the lateral line to your house plumbing and decommission the old septic system. Please see the Costs section for additional information.
Are you required to connect to the new system
- Unless your septic tank is failing, you are NOT REQUIRED to connect at this time.
- In the future, as state, federal and local regulations become more stringent, connecting to a sanitary sewer may become mandatory.
Costs
- There are NO costs to you UNLESS you CHOOSE TO CONNECT to the sewer system. The following information is for property owners who DO wish to connect.
- The City of Vancouver provides an up-front, two-year-guaranteed sewer main line fee, for single family residential properties, for the in-street construction before a neighborhood decides to support the project.
- For those who do connect, the City of Vancouver provides low-interest financing for all related costs through its Sewer Connection Incentive Program.
- Financing costs can be spread out in monthly payments over as much as 20 years.
- A payment deferral system is available for those who are economically disadvantaged.
- Under this program and based on current fees, estimated costs for a single family property would be:
- A portion of the sewer line costs* – $13,900 (two-year guarantee for single family property)
- System Development Charge – $3,559.01 (for a single-family residential property)
- Average estimated plumber costs – $7,000
- Application fee – $25 (City) | $94 (County)
- Plumbing permit fee** – $77 minimum (City) | $122 minimum (County)
- Recording Fee – $100 (City)
- * You will not be charged more than the actual construction costs. The guarantee quoted for a neighborhood will be good for two years following the completion of construction. After two years, the sewer main line fee will be the actual per lot cost or the two-year guarantee for that year in which the connection is being sought, whichever is less.
- **Please contact the Permit Counter at 360-487-7804 for a plumbing permit estimate.
- When you are connected to public sewer, you will receive a bill every two months for your sewer usage. A typical two-month sewer bill for 2023 is about $104 for single-family residences in the City and about $154 for single-family residences outside the City, with actual costs determined by your winter water usage.
If you are selling your property
- Those who sell their property after connecting to the public sewer system are required to pay the remaining balance of the loan at time of sale if utilizing the City’s financing program.
- Lending agencies traditionally require connection to public sewer if/when ownership of a parcel transfers from one party to another.
Selecting a contractor or plumber for your portion of SCIP project
Nearly one out of every four U.S. homes relies on an on-site wastewater system. An estimated 12 percent of those don’t know the location of the septic system on their property, and a significant number are thought to be experiencing problems, endangering groundwater sources and lowering property values. Septic systems were initially installed in areas too far away from existing sewer networks to enable service. Some may even be unaware they are still hooked to septic.
Call 360-487-7150 and ask for more details about the City of Vancouver’s Sewer Connection Incentive Program (SCIP).
Selecting a contractor or plumber for your portion of the project
Ready to select a qualified contractor or plumber for your sewer lateral and connection to public sewer? Here are some helpful tips from the City of Vancouver’s Sewer Connection Incentive Program (SCIP):
- In Washington, contractors who perform work, advertise or submit bids or proposals must be registered with the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), post a bond and carry general liability insurance. You can visit L&I’s Construction Compliance website or call the toll-free contractor registration hotline at 1-800-647-0982 to find out if a contractor is registered, whether any action is pending or has taken place, and more.
- Get referrals from neighbors, friends and family who have had their sewer connected.
- Contact SCIP at 360-487-7150 for a list of local contractors and plumbers who are licensed and bonded with the city.
- Before hiring a sewer contractor or plumber, interview several registered ones. Be especially specific about the work and quality of restoration and/or cleanup expected when the job is complete. Below are some questions to consider asking. Please keep in mind this is not a complete list, as every project is different. It is intended simply to help you get started.
- Are you registered and bonded to work in Washington State? Ask for WA Contractors License and Liability Insurance numbers and expiration dates.
- How long have you been in business? Doing this type of project?
- Can you provide an itemized bid/estimate? (Note: Itemized bids/estimates will allow you to compare the different ones you receive.) Look for these items to be included on the itemized list or otherwise factored in:
- Pumping the septic tank
- Decommissioning the septic system
- Material costs (pipe, fittings, etc.)
- Equipment costs
- Labor Costs
- Landscape restoration and/or cleanup
- Permits, if you choose to have the contractor obtain these
- Are there any out-of-the-ordinary issues with my site that will cause additional costs?
- If selected, when would the project get started? Be finished?
- How do you resolve any problems or inconveniences that might come up?
- Can you provide me with a list of independent references with a project similar to mine? (Note: After the interview, call and check with the references. Ask about the quality of work, whether any differences or problems arose during the course of the project and, if so, how these were resolved. It is important that you have confidence in the contractor you hire and have the ability to talk easily with them.)
Before you or your contractor obtain permits for the job, you must finance or pay your city sewer main line fee. For information about SCIP financing or assistance available, please call 360-487-7150.
Sewer Connection Incentive Program Projects
Vancouver’s Sewer Connection Incentive Program (SCIP) provides an easy and affordable solution to septic owners in the City of Vancouver’s service area who are ready to make the connection to our safe, reliable public wastewater system. To see how specific SCIP projects are progressing and view corresponding maps, please review project information below. The maps at the very bottom of this webpage show project areas.
Learn more about SCIP or call 360-487-7150.
General Project Background
Vancouver’s Sewer Connection Incentive Program (SCIP) extends public wastewater main lines to areas where septic systems were initially installed because sewer wasn’t available then, typically areas that were later annexed into the city. Through SCIP, we are working with homeowners to provide an easy and affordable solution to change from septic systems to safe, reliable public sewer.
Current Projects–Under Construction
Vista Robles
This project will provide sanitary sewer service to approximately 27 residential properties in the North Image neighborhood. The City of Vancouver has contracted with Parker Pacific Development of Lake Oswego, OR., for this project. Construction began in December and is anticipated to be completed by March 2023. See project map below.
NE 58th–Andresen
This project will provide sanitary sewer service to approximately 26 properties in the East Minnehaha neighborhood of unincorporated Clark County and the City of Vancouver. The City of Vancouver has contracted with North Cascades Excavating, LLC of Woodland, WA., for this project. Construction will begin in January 2023 and is anticipated to be completed by May 2023. See project map below.
Current Projects–Design Phase
NE 60th Street
This project will provide sanitary sewer service to approximately 76 residential properties in the East Minnehaha neighborhood of unincorporated Clark County. Informational project letters and lateral request forms have been mailed to affected property owners. Design work is underway, and construction is tentatively planned for summer 2023. See project map below.
West Vancouver–Phase 1
This project will provide sanitary service to approximately 67 residential properties at various locations west of Interstate 5 and north of downtown Vancouver. Informational project letters and lateral request forms have been mailed to affected property owners. Design work is underway, and construction is tentatively planned for late summer 2023. See project map below.
NE 122nd Avenue
This project will provide sanitary service to approximately 30 residential properties in the North Image neighborhood. Lateral request forms will be mailed to affected property owners soon. Design work is underway, and construction is tentatively planned for fall 2023. See project map below.
Future Projects
NE 9th Street
This project will provide sanitary sewer service to nine residential properties on the south side of NE 9th Street, between NE 112th and NE 117th Avenues, in the Fircrest neighborhood. The sewer improvements are being constructed with water main upgrades and pavement resurfacing in this area. Construction is currently planned for 2024. See project map below.
Additional projects are being assessed as part of the City’s overall SCIP efforts. Property owners will be contacted when it has been determined that the project will move forward to the design phase.
