“Table below indicates pumping frequency only.” New state laws require inspections every three years for gravity type systems; annually for all other septic systems.
The frequency of cleaning a septic system will vary from house to house. These are some general guidelines although some homes may need the tank cleaned more frequently
Table I. Septic Tank Pumping Frequency in Years
| Household Size – Number of Occupants |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Tank-Gallons | Septic Tank Pumping Frequency in Years |
| 500 | 5.8 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | — |
| 750 | 9.1 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| 900 | 11.0 | 5.2 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| 1000 | 12.4 | 5.9 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.7 |
| 1250 | 15.6 | 7.5 | 4.8 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| 1500 | 18.9 | 9.1 | 5.9 | 4.2 | 3.3 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 1750 | 22.1 | 10.7 | 6.9 | 5.0 | 3.9 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| 2000 | 25.4 | 12.4 | 8.0 | 5.9 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 2.0 |
| 2250 | 28.6 | 14.0 | 9.1 | 6.7 | 5.2 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 2.3 |
| 2500 | 30.9 | 15.6 | 10.2 | 7.5 | 5.9 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.6 |
Homes where one or more people are home all day, each person is equal to two people. The increased usage causes more material to be in the septic tank thus requiring the tank to be pumped more often.
Homes with a garbage disposal will need to have the septic system pumped on a much more frequent basis. Sometimes as often as every year.
