Septic tank pumping, priced by the gallon
$0.55 per gallon on your tank's rated size, disposal included, plus sales tax. Same-week scheduling across Clark and Cowlitz counties, and a photo of the empty tank on every receipt.
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What pumping costs
Priced on the tank's rated size, which is stamped on the lid or on the county's as-built drawing. Disposal is included. Sales tax is added on the invoice.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Per gallon, on the tank's rated sizeDisposal included | $0.55 |
| Tanks up to 750 gallonsMinimum charge | $375 |
| 1,000 gallon tank | $550 |
| 1,250 gallon tank | $690 |
| 1,500 gallon tank | $825 |
| Pump chamberQuoted by size before we start | By size |
| Volume pumped over rated capacity | $0.55 per gal |
| Disposal at a licensed facility | Included |
| Sales tax | Added |
Not sure of your tank size? Give us the address. Clark County keeps as-built drawings for most permitted systems, and we can usually read the size from those. Otherwise we measure on site and confirm the price before we start pumping.
What a full pump-out includes
Every job gets the same checklist, whether it's a 750 gallon tank behind a house in Orchards or a 2,000 gallon tank on a farm in Amboy.
- Every compartment pumped. Both compartments and the pump chamber if you have one, sludge and scum included, not just the liquid.
- Baffles and filter checked. Inlet and outlet baffles, and the effluent filter if one is fitted, cleaned and put back.
- Tank rinsed and looked over. We wash down the walls and look for cracks, root intrusion and a failing lid.
- Lids and risers reset. Lids sealed, risers seated, sod put back if we had to dig.
- Photo of the empty tank. On every receipt, so you can see exactly what you paid for.
- County paperwork filed. Where Clark or Cowlitz County requires a pumping report, we file it and copy you.
A photo of the empty tank on every receipt
Pumping is work you can't watch from the kitchen window. So we show you.
When the tank is empty and rinsed, we photograph the inside before the lids go back on. That photo goes on your itemized receipt with the gallons pumped, the rated size we priced on, and anything we noticed that needs attention.
Keep the receipts. They tell the next pumper what they're dealing with, they satisfy a buyer's inspector when you sell, and they settle any question about when the tank was last serviced.
- On the receiptPhoto of the empty tank
- Rated sizeWhat we priced on
- Gallons pumpedIncluding any over capacity
- Condition notesBaffles, filter, lids, roots
- PaperworkCounty report, where required
Pumping day, start to finish
Most jobs take about an hour. You don't have to be home, but you're welcome to watch.
We find the tank and open the lids
Bring your as-built drawing if you have one. If not, we probe and locate. Risers mean no digging next time, and we can install them the same visit.
We pump every compartment
Sludge, scum and liquid come out of both compartments, and the pump chamber if you have one. You pay on the tank's rated size, not on how full it was.
We inspect and rinse
Baffles, inlet, outlet and the effluent filter if fitted. We tell you what we saw and whether anything needs attention before it becomes a repair.
You get a receipt with a photo
Lids closed, site tidied, and an itemized receipt with gallons, price and a photo of the empty tank. Where the county requires a pumping report, we file it.
Pumping questions
The things people ask before they book. If yours isn't here, call and ask.
How do you know my tank's rated size?
It's usually stamped on the tank lid or listed on the as-built drawing Clark County keeps on file for permitted systems. If neither is available, we measure the tank on site and confirm the size and price with you before pumping.
What if my tank holds more than its rated size?
Some tanks are fuller than rated because of a high water table or a slow drain field. Anything we pump over the rated capacity is the same $0.55 per gallon, and we'll tell you why it happened.
Do you pump both compartments?
Yes. Pumping only the first compartment leaves sludge behind and is the most common corner cut in this trade. We pump both, and the pump chamber if you have one.
How long does it take?
About an hour for a typical residential tank with accessible lids. Add time if we need to locate the tank or dig to the lids. Risers fix that for good and we can install them the same visit.
How often should I pump?
Every three to five years for most households. Our care guide has a calculator that uses your tank size and household size.