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How Often Should You Pump Your Commercial Septic Tank?

Jun 09, 2022

As a business owner, you should plan for the safe and efficient disposal of the wastewater and sewage produced on your commercial property. While you might prefer to be on a centralized sewer system because the burden of installing and maintaining the system falls on the local government, you don't always have a choice.

In general, sewer systems are only available in towns, cities, and their immediate surroundings. If your business is outside these areas, you probably use a septic system for wastewater disposal and treatment.

As part of septic system maintenance, you need to pump your septic tank periodically. Periodic septic tank pumping helps remove excess solids from your tank, allowing it to keep working well.

The frequency of septic tank pumping for businesses depends on multiple factors. Check out these factors that determine how often you will need to pump your commercial septic tank.

Water Usage

With septic systems, the amount of water that you use in your business affects your septic tank pumping schedule. Every business has varying water needs, so there's no universally agreed quantity of water that each business must consume daily.

Several factors can increase or decrease the water usage in your business. These include the following:

The type of business you run: Some businesses such as those in the food and beverage sector are more water-intensive than others.
The availability of water in your business location: Businesses located in water-scarce areas tend to have a lower water footprint in their direct operations.
Your corporate commitment to water conservation: Ensuring efficient water usage in your business can reduce the load on your septic tank.

Generally speaking, the more water that goes down your commercial drains, the more sludge (solids) builds up inside the septic tank. In other words, a higher water footprint will increase the frequency of septic tank pumping.

Tank Size

Septic tanks come in various sizes to meet the needs of different users. The minimum requirements for septic tank size depend on multiple variables, including the following:

The specific type of tank system: Is it a conventional, anaerobic, or gravity-fed system?
The tank material: Is it concrete, polyethylene, fiberglass, or other materials?
The placement of the tank: Will it go underground or aboveground?
The state and local guidelines on approved tank sizes: Which tank sizes are allowed or not allowed?

How big or small your septic tank is will influence the frequency of septic pumping service. A bigger tank will cost you more upfront, but it can save you money over the long term because it takes longer to reach its maximum operating capacity, minimizing the frequency of tank pumping.

On the other hand, a relatively small tank will require more frequent pumping because it will fill up quickly if other factors remain constant.

The Number of People in Your Business

Other than your tank size and water usage habits, the number of people who access your commercial premises each day will also impact your septic tank pumping schedule. If your business receives more human traffic than your septic tank was designed for, you will definitely need to pump the tank more frequently.

While septic tank pumping is essential for keeping your onsite wastewater treatment system working at its peak, it shouldn't be confused with septic tank cleaning. Septic tank cleaning is a separate service that is usually required if you have problems like slow drains, backups, and unpleasant odors with your septic system.

Contact us today for all your septic tank pumping needs in Albuquerque, New Mexico. With over 30 years of experience in the waste treatment and sanitation industry, we have what it takes to keep your septic system in tip-top condition.

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