STEP stands for Septic Tank Effluent Pump. While the property owner is responsible for the sewer line that runs from your house to the STEP system, the City of Lacey maintains the system itself. Because the City owns the STEP system and it is considered part of the City’s utility system, there is no requirement to have the system pumped if you sell your home.
The STEP tank and pump are buried in your yard and are controlled by an electrical panel on the side of your house. The wastewater from your home flows into the septic tank where solids settle out and form sludge on the bottom of the tank. The liquids flow through a screen and get pumped into the City’s sewer line for transport to the LOTT treatment plant.
The City of Lacey maintains your STEP system and comes to pump & inspect it every 8 years. When crews arrive to perform preventative maintenance on your STEP system, they will first knock on your door to let you know they will be working. Check out this brochure for more information.
Caring for you STEP system:
- Maintain at least a 3-foot clearance around the green tank lid(s) in your yard and a clear path to the control panel on the side of your home. Without clearance, crews maybe unable to perform maintenance.
- Never drive or park anything on top of your STEP system.
- Ensure that water, toilet paper, and human waste are the only things that go down the toilet and drains.
- Do not add septic aid products to your system or put chemicals down the drain.
- Excessive use of your garbage disposal can clog your system. Throw away or compost excess food, coffee grounds, eggshells, fats, oils, grease, etc.
- Locate the STEP system’s breaker in the home’s electrical panel. Make sure this breaker is on at all times. If the breaker is turned off or trips, there will be no power to run the pump and you could experience sewer backup or overflow.
- If your tank lid becomes damaged, secure the area and report it to t he City of Lacey Maintenance Service Center at (360) 491-5644 as soon as possible.
- Call before you dig. Its the law! Do not dig around your tank unless underground utilities have been located. Homeowners can request utility locates by calling 1-800-424-5555 (or *811 on your cell phone) or online at http://www.callbeforeyoudig.org/washington/index.asp.
If your STEP system alarm goes off:
- You will hear a loud alarm, similar to a car alarm, coming from the control panel located on the side of your home.
- Press the red button to silence the alarm. The red light will remain on while the alarm is active.
- Restrict water use by not running your washing machine or dishwasher until City crews can determine the cause of the alarm. As long as sewer is not backing up in the home, brief showers and toilet flushing is okay.
- Immediately report the alarm to the City of Lacey Maintenance Service Center at (360) 491-5644 during business hours or at (360) 704-2740 during nights/weekends.
