Septic tank pump-out

Plumbing · Faucets · printed page 295 (PDF page 296)

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Book index entries

Pump-Out Plumbing

Text in the illustration

it has been suggested that septic tanks be pumped out every three years (or when the scum mat is thicker than 3" and/or the sludge depth exceeds 24")
grade level
access cover (manhole)
waste (from house)
inlet dip pipe
scum mat
>3"
outlet dip pipe
effluent (to tile bed)
effluent
sludge
>24"
septic tank
cross section

Generated explanation

A cross section shows a buried, two-compartment septic tank with access covers, inlet and outlet dip pipes, and an internal partition with a transfer opening. Arrows trace wastewater from the house through the tank and effluent out toward the tile bed. A scum mat floats above the liquid, while sludge accumulates at the bottom of both compartments. Dimension annotations highlight scum thicker than 3 inches and sludge deeper than 24 inches as pump-out triggers. The printed note suggests pumping every three years or when these accumulation thresholds are exceeded.