Pumping FrequencyWorksheet

Cleaning Frequency Guidelines
How often a septic tank needs to be cleaned depends on the tank's design and the way it is used. In this worksheet, factors that increase the cleaning frequency are called effects and the factors that reduce the cleaning frequency are called credits. The frequency guidelines calculated with this worksheet should be used along with the conditions observed when the tank is cleaned to decide when the tank will next need cleaning.

Effects:

Do you have any of these:  answer all that apply
NoYes Water softner or Water Filter going into septic system
NoYes Garbage Disposal
NoYes Dishwasher and/or Automatic Clothes Washer
NoYes An in-home Business -- ie, daycare or beauty shop
NoYes More than 4 overnight guests at a time, several times per year
NoYes A laundry pattern of doing 3 or more loads in 1 day

Is your septic tank smaller that the given size:

house size             tank size
2-3 bedrooms           1000 gallons
4-5 bedrooms              1500 gallons
6-7 bedrooms              1750 gallons
8-9 bedrooms              2000 gallons
----Select one----NoYes

When was the last cleaning done:
1-2 years ago3-5 years ago6-10 years ago10+ years ago

How many bedrooms do you have?
23456789

How many people live in the house?
2345678910

 

Credits:

If You: answer all that apply
NoYes Use a suds-saving or front loading washer, or do 4 or less loads a wash a week.
NoYes Have to full sized septic tanks, or 1 tank with 150% capacity larger than needed.
NoYes Are ULTRA CONSERVATIVE in your water use.
NoYes Use low-flow toilets (3 gallons or less per flush)
NoYes Use low-flow shower heads
NoYes Have only 1 or 2 people in the house that use the Bath Tub (Rest use shower) less than 5 time per week
NoYes Have no one at home for 10 hours or more most days.

Your total Effects points  

Your total Credit points

The months between cleanings of your Septic Tank is: