Many Methow Valley homes, whether year-round or vacation places, have septic systems. Houses within the city limits of Winthrop and Twisp are on municipal treatment systems, as is Sun Mountain Lodge.
Most people have a qualified waste system contractor install their septic systems.
The homeowner may know little about how it works, relying on the contractor to do the job right. The first requirement of course is to have a site with an area that is adequate to allow wastewater from the septic system to be distributed. You will not be able to get a permit to build unless the site meets septic requirements. A septic system consists of a tank that collects waste from the household drains. Solid material settles as sludge in the septic tank while a pipe drains to a distribution tank.