Septic Tank Pumping Schedule

Following a septic tank pumping schedule is a good idea.

Many homeowners like yourself ask us this question . . .How often should I pump my septic tank?

To help you out, we’ve provided you with a schedule obtained from the US EPA. The frequency of septic tank pumping is based on the size of the septic tank and the number of occupants in the household.

This guide to septic tank cleaning or pumping is intended to assist you in scheduling your septic tank maintenance.

Septic tank cleaning and pumping is a critical step in septic system care as it extends the life of the septic field. Even if you don’t care how septic systems work you need to know how often to pump your septic tank.

In the table below you can look up your tank size and number of persons in the household to see how often the septic tank should be cleaned.

For example, a 1,000 gallon septic tank, which is used by two people, should be pumped every 5.9 years.

If there are eight people using a 1,000-gallon septic tank, it should be pumped every year.

Septic Tank Pumping Table

Remember this is a recommended schedule based on the average daily flow of wastewater leaving your house. Some households use a lot more water than others. They simply do more laundry, take more showers or cook more meals than other households.

All of these activities generate more waste-water and more solid waste that will need to be removed from your septic tank.

You may need to pump your septic tank more frequently.

It is also a good idea to pump the septic tank just before a party or large gathering of people. The large flow of wastewater into the septic tank can temporarily overload the septic tank and septic system. This could cause a stoppage in the sewer line between the house and the septic tank.

We recommend that you establish and maintain a septic tank pumping schedule just like scheduled oil changes on your car. Regular septic maintenance is key to a long lasting septic system.