Septic Tank Pumping Service

More frequent pumping is needed if a garbage disposal is used. Generally the indicated frequency will vary with the volume of solids (+20% for high volume, -20% for low volume). Also, more frequent pumping will be needed if your tanks are not water tight, and allow the infiltration of storm or ground water.

Under current Texas law a 750 gallon septic tank is the minimum size that must be used for a home with three bedrooms or less. If six people reside in a three-bedroom house, the tank should be pumped every year. If the same system serves a family of two, the tank would be ready for pumping every 4.2 years. Systems installed before the current rules and regulations were implemented may need to be pumped more often, perhaps every year or less.

As indicated in the footnote to Table 1, garbage disposers will increase the frequency of pumping. For example, if this same three-bedroom house with six residents had a garbage disposal and was generally producing a higher volume of wastewater, the pumping frequency could be estimated as follows:

1.0 years - [(0.2) x 1.0 years] = 0.8 years, or about every 9-10 months.

TABLE 1 Estimated septic tank pumping frequencies in years
(for year-round residences)

Tank Household size (number of people)
Tank Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
gals. (Years between pumping listed below)
500 6.0 2.5 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.1
750 9.0 4.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.5
900 11.0 5.0 3.5 2.5 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.0 0.5
1000 12.5 6.0 3.5 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 1.0 1.0
1250 15.5 7.5 5.0 3.5 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.5 1.0
1500 19.0 9.0 6.0 4.0 3.5 2.5 2.0 2.0 1.5
1750 22.0 10.5 7.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.5 2.0 2.0
2000 25.5 12.5 8.0 6.0 4.5 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0
2250 28.5 14.0 9.0 6.5 5.0 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5
2500 31.9 15.5 10.0 7.5 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.5 3.0



* Below the minimum size allowed by rule.



Previous Article : Septic System Toilet - - Next Article : Septic System Plumbing

Featured Articles
Providing Quality Service...Guaranteed In the Greater Austin Area of Travis, Hays, Williamson, Burnet, & Bastrop Counties , Creedmoor, The Hills, Jonestown, Hays County, Kyle, Bear Creek, Jarrell, Thorndale, Florence, Misc Locations, Bell County.
Call (512) 338-1804 for fast, dependable service.
Why Stay On A Septic System? Top 5 Reasons for Preserving Onsite as a Viable, Even Preferred, Sewage Management Option: Better protection of public health is possible ...
Aerobic Treatment Unit First, please understand that the State has clearly stated it is the owner's responsibility to operate the aerobic treatment unit in compliance with all regulations...
Aerobic System Pumping Aerobic Treatment Units (ATU) generally require more frequent pumping than do septic tanks of comparable size. There are 2 reasons: The...
  • Septic Tank Additive There have been several studies conducted on septic tank additives; however, there is still some debate on their...
  • Service Contract Aren't you tired of all these renewal reminders?You are probably getting tired of receiving all these reminders plus...
  • Septic System Costs We designers receive much of our work from installers, homebuilders and property owners. The typical scenario is...
  • Maintenance Here's a logical fact of life regarding septic systems: All septic systems require maintenance to keep them working...
  • Search Septic System 15 Point Planned Service Agreements Fifteen Point Aerobic Service(Recommended at least four times, preferably 12 times, per year)...