How often should a septic tank be pumped?

Most households should pump every 3–5 years, depending on tank size and household size. Regular pumping is far cheaper than replacing a failed leach field.

Who is allowed to pump and service septic tanks?

Most states register or license the companies that haul septage and install, inspect, or repair septic systems — through a state environmental or health agency, and often county health departments as well. Every company in this directory appears on an official state or county list.

How much does septic pumping cost?

Typical septic pumping runs about $300–$600 for a standard residential tank, varying by tank size, accessibility, and local disposal fees. Larger 1,500–2,000+ gallon tanks can run higher.

Certified septic pumping companies in Washington

Washington permits the facilities that receive and handle septic (septage) waste under the Department of Ecology's statewide biosolids general permit. This page lists the active septage facilities from the official state biosolids facility list.

✓ Source: WA Ecology Biosolids Facility List (February 2025 PDF); active-septage facilities only — registry last retrieved 2026-07-23. 28 companies listed. Inclusion is a matter of public record, not an endorsement — verify current status with the state.

Certified companies (28)

Company	Location	County	Certifications	License #
B And B Septic Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0516
Back Land Tee Pee Septic Services Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0511
Bishop Sanitation Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT9907
Bs Pumpers Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0514
Busy B's Farm	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT2101
Cheney Septic Services Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT1004
Cheyne Landfill Septage Lag	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT9206
Clearwater Tech Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0506
Express Septic Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0806
Fire Mountain Farms Buf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT9902
Herriman Speedy Tank Service Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0405
Holden Village Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT9912
J And J Farming Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT1003
Jims Pumping Services Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0006
Johnson Septic Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0505
Kittitas Co Ryegrass Lag Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT9208
Methow Valley Septic Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0204
Morgan And Son Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0906
Overlook Farms Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0003
Scott Septic And Rentals Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0502
Shaggyplum Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0201
Short Septic Service Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0519
Stevens Co Waitts Lake Valley Stp Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT8056
Stevie Septic Services Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0206
The Sheep Camp Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0705
Think Tank Sanitation Processing Plant Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	—
Ufo Corp Nw Ww Pumping Service Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0005
Walker Septic Service Smf	—	—	Septage Hauler	BT0513

Before you hire anyone

Most directories only tell you who to call. These are the cases where the honest answer is that you may not need this service at all, and the mistakes that cost people the most money.

When you probably don’t need this

The property is on public sewer. — No tank, nothing to pump. Worth confirming before booking anything — plenty of NJ neighbourhoods were converted decades ago.Details →
The tank was pumped within its interval for your household. — Pumping more often than the system needs buys nothing. The right interval depends on tank size and how many people live there, not on a calendar.Details →

What goes wrong

Pumping is used as a substitute for an inspection. — An empty tank tells you almost nothing about the drainfield, which is the expensive part. A failing field can look fine the week after a pump-out.Details →
The tank is pumped immediately before an inspection. — It can mask the very conditions an inspector is looking for, and some jurisdictions treat a freshly pumped tank as grounds to re-inspect. Ask before scheduling both in the same week.Details →
A repair quote arrives before anyone has confirmed the failure mode. — Replacement and repair are different orders of cost. Get the diagnosis, in writing, before accepting either.Details →

Typical septic pumping pricing, with sources: what this costs in WA →

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