How often should septic tank be drained?
A typical single family home will have a septic system with two tanks holding 500 gallons of water each. The tanks are always full of water and are designed to keep solid waste from draining into the dispersion field or sand mound. Tanks should be emptied every three to five years, but this rule is not true for every family and every system. Some systems have very small tanks of 125 gallons or less. Families with multiple bathrooms and 5 or more people using the system will need more frequent cleanings. Check with a local professional for details on your system. They might offer some basic advice for free.
