Septic Tanks - Licensing for OSWW System Professionals (2024)

FAQs

Are septic tank companies profitable? ›

With the right preparation, businesses in the septic tank pumping business can be successful and generate a steady stream of income and a business bank account.

If you are planning to build a home or place a manufactured home on property not served by a public or community sewer system, you must first obtain DHEC's approval and a permit to install a septic system. Without this permit, your county will not be able to issue you a building permit.

Do I need to be a registered septic tank contractor to pump septic tanks? Yes. Registered septic tank contractors (and state-licensed plumbers) may pump septic tanks with an appropriate active service permit from their local county health department. If the information you need is not listed here, please Contact Us.

Consider the following separation distances, which are required between your septic system and the following: Buildings - 5 feet. Property Line - 5 feet. Private Well - 75 feet.

KEY MARKET INSIGHTS

The U.S. septic tanks market size was valued at USD 1.02 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 1.06 billion in 2024 to USD 1.39 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period.

There are 7,180 Septic, Drain & Sewer Cleaning Services businesses in the US as of 2023, an increase of 2.8% from 2022.

Download and complete the application form for a License to Construct or Clean Onsite Wastewater Systems and Self-Contained Toilets, then contact your local DHEC Environmental Affairs office to make arrangements for testing.

The cost to install a septic tank can range from $500 to $5000. The average cost of a septic tank installation is $2000.

Average perc test cost

The cost of a perc test is $500 to $3,000+ to dig test holes with an excavator. Hiring engineers and soil scientists to perform a deep hole percolation test costs extra.

The following are general building guidelines to give you an idea as you plan. Most septic tanks need to be 5 to 10 feet from buildings. Leach fields, which are typically installed adjacent to the tank itself, should be 10 to 20 ft from any structure.

How close to a lake can you put a septic system? ›

However, the average distance that local ordinances mandate is 50 feet from springs, lakes, or water streams and 100 feet from any public water supply. To be safe, Mitch Turner from Septic Masters LLC recommends 100 feet of clearance for lake properties. Be sure to check local regulations in your lake area.

Inspect and Pump Frequently

Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year. A service contract is important since alternative systems have mechanized parts.

Across the country, septic tank guidelines mandate a minimum of five to ten feet between a toilet and the septic tank and a minimum of six feet between the tank and the drain field. If the toilet is in your home, you must ensure at least 50 feet of distance between the drain field and your home.

Septic tanks can be installed uphill from a house, but it makes things a little more complicated. These systems are usually installed below ground level and they use gravity to transfer waste from the home to the tank. So, when a tank is installed above ground level, it requires an ejector pump.

NO PERC, NO HOUSE

On rural sites without municipal sewage systems, a failed perc test means that no house can be built – which is why you should make any offer to purchase land contingent on the site passing the soil and perc tests.

Overall, septic systems can be a low cost, useful, and beneficial way to take care of waste in the right setting. Although, they do require maintenance just like any other system and care needs to be exercised so that harmful items are not being introduced into the system.

One of the biggest disadvantages of septic systems is the hassles that come with sewage backup, which is generally a sign of clogging in the tank or drain field pipes. When backups occur, the problem is more serious than a simple household drain clog because the obstruction won't be found just inches down the drain.

A septic tank's lifespan can range from 20 to 30 years, depending on the tank's quality, construction, and maintenance. While the cost of the septic tank will vary from company to company, in India, you can expect to pay anywhere between Rs 10,000 and Rs 80,000.

An expert will address septic tank problems like cracks to enhance your lawn's curb appeal and value. Having your tank repaired should be among the things you do before you sell your property. The services will enhance your property's market worth.  Septic tank systems separate solid waste from liquid waste.