To help you understand how to locate the tanks and install risers for your Onsite Sewage treatment system, we have documented our process with these photos.



1. Crew arrives on job for pumping and riser installation. System was last pumped 9 years ago and the homeowners have forgotten exactly where the tank location is.



2.The as built for the system has been obtained from the local Health Department. The system consists of 1-1390 gallon homemade concrete single compartment septic tank with 562 sq ft of gravity dispersal trench. Type 2 sandy soils



3.This is a copy of the as built. This will help to find the general location of the tanks. There has been an addition built on the house since the time of installation

4.These are the tools used to locate the septic tanks.
On the left is a shovel and on the right is a probing tool
5.The probing tool is used to locate the concrete lid of the tank. Typically these dimensions are 6 feet wide and 8 feet long. DANGER: Death can occur if you strike underground power Make sure that you know exactly where your underground utilities are before doing any probing with a steel probing tool. Call for underground location service 1-800-424-5555 (Puget Sound area) If you are unsure please call for a professional.


6.Once the diameter of the lid is known, the inlet side of the septic tank is dug up. The inlet side of a septic tank is typically nearest the house. Care is taken to set aside the plants for later replanting.


7.The inlet inspection hole is located. The original lid was missing but had been replaced with a square concrete lid that you can see in the foreground.

8.Looking through the inspection port at the top of a 4"PVC inlet baffle. Next to the baffle is the top of the scum layer in a septic tank.

9.The septic access lid is located more towards the center of the tank. All tanks vary with their lid locations which make installing surface access lids helpful for proper maintenance and monitoring of your Onsite Sewage Treatment System. This area is carefully uncovered and the sludge and scum levels are measured with a Sludge Judge tool. These measurements will be recorded and sent with a report to the homeowner for their records.


10.Installation of risers for inspection hole and septic access hole, removal of excess soil. Risers are cut to length and a water resistant, quick setting sealant is used to attach the risers to the concrete.


11.The pump truck (powered by Biodiesel) is prepared for pumping and the suction hoses are unloaded.

12.The septic tank is pumped out. After pumping, the baffles and the tanks structural integrity will be inspected and compilation of results.

13.The new access lid is installed; the landscape plants are replanted and restored

14. Riser installation is inspected by the pleased homeowner. Their system can now be easily inspected by themselves or an OSS technician. This will save maintenance costs and prevent repeated disturbance to landscape features.

15. Exit scene from another satisfied customer.


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