What we do
Installation, repair, and replacement — handled start to finish by a licensed, DEQ-permitted local team that knows Clatsop County’s soils, regulations, and county inspectors by name.
Building on the Oregon Coast isn’t like building anywhere else. Sandy soils with limited percolation capacity, high seasonal water tables, tidal influence on setbacks, and stringent Clatsop County DEQ requirements all demand a level of site-specific expertise that most inland contractors simply don’t have.
All County Septic has installed or replaced 120+ septic systems in these exact conditions over more than 20 years on the North Coast.We don’t just install systems — we design them from the ground up around your specific property, soil profile, household size, and the regulatory requirements that apply to your lot. Every installation we complete is built to last in coastal conditions and permitted to meet or exceed current DEQ standard
We coordinate the required DEQ soil evaluation and percolation testing, review your lot characteristics, setbacks, and any applicable easements or deed restrictions.
We design a system tailored to your soil conditions, lot layout, household size, and budget — recommending the right system type for your specific property.
We prepare and submit all documentation to Clatsop County Environmental Health and DEQ. We manage all communication with county staff and inspectors throughout the approval process.
Precise excavation, proper grading, tank and drain field installation, distribution system, and final backfill — completed with the equipment and attention to site restoration that protects your property.
We coordinate the required county inspection, are present on site during the inspection, and handle all final documentation and system registration with DEQ.
System types we install
No two Clatsop County properties are the same. Soil conditions vary significantly between Gearhart’s sandy beachside lots, Seaside’s higher-water-table areas, and the clay-heavy soils of the east county. We recommend and install the system type that fits your specific site.
The simplest and most cost-effective option for properties with adequate space and soil conditions that support natural percolation. Tank + gravity distribution to a standard drain field.
Uses a pump to distribute effluent evenly across the drain field. Required on many North Coast properties where soil conditions limit natural gravity flow and consistent loading is critical.
Uses a pump to distribute effluent evenly across the drain field. Required on many North Coast properties where soil conditions limit natural gravity flow and consistent loading is critical.
Provides additional treatment of effluent before it reaches the soil. Required in environmentally sensitive areas or where advanced treatment is mandated by the county or DEQ.
Advanced treatment technology systems for sites that require the highest level of effluent treatment — typically near sensitive water bodies or on lots with very limited suitable soil.
Sized for restaurants, retail buildings, short-term rental properties, and small multi-unit residential developments. Separate permitting process — we manage it completely.
Septic failures don’t announce themselves conveniently. They show up as slow drains on a holiday weekend, an odor you can’t place, or a wet patch in the yard that shouldn’t be there. When that happens, you need someone who can respond fast, diagnose accurately, and fix it right — without upselling you on work you don’t need.
All County Septic responds quickly to repair calls throughout Clatsop County. We assess your system honestly, present your options clearly before any work begins, and give you straight guidance on whether a targeted repair makes sense or whether there’s a larger underlying issue that needs to be addressed. No pressure. No surprises on the bill.
Know the warning signs
Most septic failures give you warning signs before they become full emergencies. Catching problems early is almost always cheaper than waiting. Contact us if you notice any of these — even if you’re not sure something is wrong.
Most septic systems have a functional lifespan of 20–30 years. When a system has reached the end of its useful life, when a repair isn’t cost-effective given the system’s age and overall condition, or when a new owner discovers an undersized or non-compliant system after purchasing a property — a full replacement is the right call.
We manage the entire replacement process: assessment, permitting, removal of the existing system, design and installation of a new system suited to your current property conditions and household needs, and all required inspections. We also give you an honest, direct answer on whether repair makes more sense than replacement before any work begins — because sometimes it does.
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Factor
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Consider Repair
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Consider Replacement
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|---|---|---|
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System age
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Under 15 years old
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20+ years, especially 25+
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Repair cost
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Under 30–40% of replacement
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Approaching 50%+ of new system
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Problem history
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First-time isolated failure
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Recurring or multiple issues
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System condition
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Otherwise structurally sound
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Widespread deterioration
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Property sale
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No sale planned near-term
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Selling — buyers want new systems
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Code compliance
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System meets current code
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Non-compliant or undersized
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Annual inspections
Oregon law requires qualifying septic systems — including pressurized distribution, sand filter, mound, and ATT systems — to be inspected annually by a DEQ-certified Operation & Maintenance provider. The certified provider submits a compliance report to the county on your behalf and ensures your system is operating within permitted parameters.
All County Septic is in the process of obtaining DEQ O&M provider certification. Starting Summer 2026, we’ll offer flat-rate annual inspections with all DEQ paperwork and Clatsop County reporting handled for you. If your system requires an annual inspection, get on our notification list and we’ll reach out the moment we’re certified and taking bookings.
Not sure if your system qualifies? Systems permitted after January 1, 2014 with pressure distribution, mound, sand filter, or advanced treatment components almost certainly require annual O&M inspections. Call us and we can help you determine whether your system falls under the requirement — at no charge.
Permitting & compliance
Septic permits on the Oregon Coast are not simple. Between DEQ site evaluations, Clatsop County Environmental Health requirements, construction permits, coastal setback rules, and required inspections at multiple stages — the permitting process alone is enough to stall a project. We handle all of it for every job we take on, at no additional fee.
We schedule and coordinate the required soil and site evaluation with a DEQ-authorized evaluator. You don't need to find, hire, or manage this separately.
We prepare the complete permit application package — system design drawings, calculations, site plan, soil evaluation results — and submit it to Clatsop County Environmental Health.
We handle all back-and-forth with county staff and DEQ during the review process, including responding to questions, providing additional documentation, and tracking application status.
We schedule required inspections at the right stages of construction and are present on site for every county inspection to answer questions and ensure sign-off.
After final inspection approval, we prepare and submit all as-built documentation and system registration with DEQ. You receive copies of all permits and approvals for your property records.
820 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103
Phone: (503) 325-9302
envhealth@clatsopcounty.gov
Administers septic permits, O&M compliance, and the county’s licensed installer list
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Onsite Wastewater Management Program
Sets statewide standards for system design, installation, and O&M requirements
Where we work
(503) 717-2200
AllCountySeptic.com
Get a free estimate
No pressure, no obligation — just an honest assessment from a local team that knows the North Coast. We typically respond within one business day.
Free estimates on all installation, repair, and replacement projects
No mileage fees — we serve all of
Clatsop County at the same rate
Response within 1 business day —
often same day for urgent situations
