Septic Tank Pumping in Georgia: How Often and What to Expect

How often to pump

EPA's baseline is an inspection at least every three years and pumping every three to five years. Systems with pumps, float switches or other mechanical parts should be inspected more often, generally once a year (EPA). DPH gives the same three-to-five-year range and says it varies with household use (DPH).

Household size and tank size drive the interval. DPH's manual estimates pumping intervals for year-round homes, assuming wastewater stays in the tank at least 24 hours and half of the solids break down (DPH manual). An excerpt:

The manual adds that a garbage disposal means more frequent pumping. Georgia's rule sizes a home's tank at 1,000 gallons for up to four bedrooms, adds 250 gallons for each bedroom beyond that, and requires 50 percent more capacity when a garbage grinder will be used (Rule 511-3-1-.05, reprinted in the manual). County septic records may show your tank's size; the septic or sewer guide explains how to request them.

A measurement beats an estimate. EPA says to pump when the bottom of the scum layer is within 6 inches of the outlet, the top of the sludge is within 12 inches of it, or sludge and scum fill more than a quarter of the liquid depth (EPA).

Who may pump a septic tank in Georgia

Georgia's rule requires people who work as sewage pumpers to be certified by DPH or to work under the personal on-site supervision of someone who is, with certification renewed every two years and tied to continuing education (Rule 511-3-1-.16). The business also needs a septage removal permit from the county board of health where it is based, renewed every year (Rule 511-3-1-.11).

Three quick checks before you hire:

• Find the company on DPH's list. The onsite sewage page lists certified installer and pumper companies by county (DPH).
• Look at the truck. The company's name and permit number must be lettered on both sides of every septage truck, at least 2 inches tall.
• Ask where the load goes. Septage must be discharged to a system approved by Georgia's Environmental Protection Division: a public or community treatment plant, a septage handling facility or a land disposal site (Rule 511-3-1-.11).

What a proper pump-out includes

DPH's manual sets standards that certified pumpers must meet (DPH manual). Expect this sequence:

1. The pumper opens the tank through its lids or access ports. Breaking holes in a tank or lid can cost a pumper its permit.
2. Everything comes out. The manual defines septage removal as removing all of the contents: liquid, sludge and scum.
3. The inlet and outlet tees are checked for blockage and damage. If one is missing or damaged, you must be told in writing, and it should be replaced.
4. Soil dug up to reach the lids is put back.
5. You get written documentation of the tank's condition, including any damage or missing parts, and a copy goes to your local environmental health office.

EPA adds that the provider should check for leaks, examine the scum and sludge layers, and note repairs and the tank's condition in a service report (EPA). If your tank has an effluent filter on its outlet, which Georgia's rule calls for, ask that it be checked too; EPA says filters may need frequent maintenance (EPA FAQ).

Skip the additives afterward. DPH's manual says nothing needs to go into a tank but household wastewater and that additives are no substitute for pumping, and the rule bans strong acids, strong bases and organic solvents in septic systems (Rule 511-3-1-.17).

While the tank is open, stay back and keep children and pets away. The manual warns that gases in a septic tank can be toxic and explosive and can be fatal to pumpers, and it advises that no one enter a tank without proper protective equipment.

Keep a record of every visit

EPA recommends keeping maintenance records and writing down the sludge and scum levels the professional reports, so you can judge when the next pumping is due (EPA). File each written report with your county septic permit. If you don't have the permit or original inspection report, DPH directs record requests to your county environmental health office (DPH).

Protect the drain field between pump-outs

EPA's drain field basics (EPA):

• Don't park or drive on it.
• Plant trees far enough away that roots can't reach the pipes; EPA says grasses and ground covers are the best planting over a drain field.
• Point roof drains, sump pumps and other rainwater away from it.
• Spread laundry over the week and fix leaks, because all the water you use goes into the system.

What goes down the drain matters too; see what not to flush or pour.

Warning signs to act on

Call a septic professional when you notice any of these signs from EPA's list (EPA FAQ):

• sewage backing up into toilets, tubs or sinks;
• drains that run very slowly, or gurgling in the plumbing;
• standing water, damp spots or sewage odors near the tank or drain field;
• bright green, spongy grass over the tank or field, even in dry weather.

Repairs need a county permit and inspection under Georgia's rule (Rule 511-3-1-.03, reprinted in DPH's manual), so involve your county environmental health office early. EPA notes that untreated wastewater carries pathogens such as E. coli. Avoid touching it, see a doctor if you feel ill after exposure, and follow what to do in a sewer backup if sewage reaches the house.

Bottom line

Find your tank size and the date of the last pump-out, have the system inspected at least every three years, and hire only a company on DPH's certified list whose truck shows its permit number. Ask for a written report every time and keep it. This guide is general information, not legal advice; your county environmental health office can tell you what applies to your system.