Septic tank pumping
A pump-out every few years is the cheapest insurance your disposal field can get. Here's what it involves.
Every drain in the house empties into the septic tank. Heavy solids sink and become sludge, fats and oils float and become scum, and the clearer liquid in the middle flows on to the disposal field. Pumping removes the sludge and scum before they build up enough to escape the tank and plug the field.
How often should it be done?
The EPA says household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. A big family, a small tank or a garbage disposal can shorten that. Alternative systems with pumps and floats generally need an annual check on top of routine pumping. The most reliable answer comes from the pumper measuring how full your tank actually is.
What happens on a pumping visit?
- Locate and uncover the lids. If you don't know where the tank is, the county's permit records for your parcel may include a site plan.
- Pump the tank. Both compartments, if it has two.
- Look at the baffles and filter. A missing outlet baffle or a clogged effluent filter is a common cause of backups and field damage.
- Note anything unusual. Water flowing back into the tank from the field, roots or cracks are worth knowing about.
Who can haul septage?
Pumper trucks in Arizona carry a vehicle license for collecting and transporting human excreta, and Yavapai County's Environmental Unit inspects septic pumpers and waste haulers. Ask the company about its license when you call.
Between pump-outs
- Keep wipes, paper towels, grease and harsh chemicals out of drains
- Spread laundry over the week rather than doing it all at once
- Fix running toilets and dripping faucets
- Keep trucks, trailers and livestock off the tank and field
What affects the price?
- Tank size and number of compartments
- How deep the lids are and whether they need digging
- Filter cleaning or extra service on an alternative system
- Distance and road access for the truck
The septic company prices the job after learning about your system and, for repairs or new installs, seeing the site. We don't quote prices, and any figure given over the phone is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Do I need risers on my tank?
Risers bring the lids up to ground level so the tank can be opened without digging. They make every future pump-out and inspection easier.
Is a pump-out the same as a transfer inspection?
No. A transfer of ownership inspection usually includes pumping, but it also covers the condition of the whole system and produces the report ADEQ requires for a sale.
Related services
More background: Yavapai County septic guide.
Selling a house on septic, or drains backing up?
Call now and a local septic company will help you sort out what's needed.