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Maintenance and Pumping
Thanks for looking into the best way to care for your system. As you maintain your system, you will be protecting the natural environment, the health of your community and your "pocket book".
No matter what type of system you own, it requires routine maintenance to operate effectively and efficiently. The first way to maintain your system is to use it properly. You can download the following documents for the most basic forms of maintenance.
Home and Environment Newsletters
Volume #1 - Grey Water
Volume #2 - Water Softeners
Volume #3 - Garbage Disposals
Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems - EPA
Inspecting Your System
It is important to regularly inspect the entire onsite sewage system. The inspection will determine needed maintenance to keep your system operating at its best. For more information regarding inspecting your system, including meeting new regulations, click on "Inspections" on the left toolbar.
Pumping
Pumping your system's tanks is vital to the lifespan of your system. A system that is not pumped regularly will eventually fail. The goal of pumping is to remove the solids, fats, oils and greases from your tanks. Tanks should be pumped when it is 1/3rd full of solids.
Pumping should not be confused with a system inspection/evaluation as required by Island County Code 8.07D. For more information regarding these inspection requirements, click here.
We've provided a pumping schedule below. This information should not replace a tank inspection by a pumper or a system inspection by a maintenance service provider. There are many contributers to a system's need to be pumped - but these numbers can be used as a general guide - they are not a gaurantee of tank or system performance.
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Household Size
(number of people) |
|
| |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
Number of Years |
| Tank Size (gallons) |
750 |
9.1 |
4.2 |
2.6 |
1.8 |
1.3 |
1.0 |
| 1000 |
12.4 |
5.9 |
3.7 |
2.6 |
2.0 |
1.5 |
| 1250 |
15.6 |
7.5 |
4.8 |
3.4 |
2.6 |
2.0 |
| 1500 |
18.9 |
9.1 |
5.9 |
4.2 |
3.3 |
2.6 |
| 1750 |
22.1 |
10.7 |
6.9 |
5.1 |
3.9 |
3.1 |
| 2000 |
25.4 |
12.4 |
8.1 |
5.9 |
4.5 |
3.7 |
| 2250 |
28.6 |
14.0 |
9.1 |
6.7 |
5.2 |
4.2 |
| 2500 |
31.9 |
15.6 |
10.2 |
7.5 |
5.9 |
4.8 |
Risers and Access
Many systems will have risers over tank lids to increase the accessibility to system components for maintenance. These risers can keep costs lower for inspections and pumping.
Risers are not required, but recommended. If you do not have risers on your system, you can install them yourself or hire a professional.
Here are some guidelines and suggestions regarding installing risers:
- They should be watertight. Your system will be stressed and could fail if water leaks in through the riser and into the tank.
- Risers must be 24” inch diameter for newer style septic tanks, older septic tanks may require other sizes of risers and lids.
- Risers and lids made of a durable, non-corrosive, UV resistant material (typically PVC plastic or fiberglass).
- Risers and lids structurally sound to withstand the anticipated site specific load conditions.
- Should be gas tight preventing odors in your yard.
- Secured or lockable access on lids.
- Lids secured with stainless steel (or equivalent) screws and/or bolts with large diameter heads.
- Access installed to finished grade.
- Polyethylene tanks may require special risers and lids, and the original septic tank lids must remain secured for structural reasons.
Other Resources
Washington Department of Health - Wastewater Publications
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