The DEQ department for the state of Oregon has developed a new program for homes with septic and cesspools called Septic Smart. It’s Septic Smart program is designed to educate buyers and sellers about proper septic care and maintenance.

Along with the DEQ’s new program, Septic Smart, the Oregon Real Estate division now requires a septic addendum within your real estate contract addressing septic and cesspool inspection requirements, if needed. This restricts who can do the septic inspections for a real estate transaction to designated Oregon state certified DEQ inspectors. An up to date list of inspectors can be obtained online at the Septic Smart website.

The Mt. Hood area probably has around 80% of its homes on a septic or cesspool. 

Cabins located in the Mt. Hood National Forest require an upgrade at the time of sale for existing cabins served by cesspools. The septic upgrade process and time frame will be determined by the forest service on leased land cabins with severe restrictions on when and where any work may start or be completed. 

These new DEQ requirements put septics and cesspools as a number one priority in a real estate transaction. There is a program at Clackamas County that provides low income grants and loans for septic repairs and other home repairs listed on their site. 

Expect potential delays in a transaction if septic problems arise from these new requirements.