Aerobic septic system maintenance and cleaning costs:

This article provides annual or monthly costs for typical on-site inspection and maintenance of aerobic septic system units or onsite septic system facilities (OSSFs) in the U.S. based on informal surveys of septic system maintenance companies in several U.S. states including Florida, Texas, Montana.

This ATU system article series provides designs and products for aerobic septic treatment units (ATUs) for onsite waste disposal, also called fine bubble aeration systems. We address aerobic septic system design, features, inspection, repair, and maintenance. Product sources are also listed.

Aerobic Septic System Maintenance & Repair Costs

Most aerobic septic system owners purchase an aerobic septic system or on-site sewage facility maitnenance contract that covers routine maintenance, routine repairs, and replacement of mechanical parts such as a failed pump or control.

When you talk to septic maintenance companies you should try to obtain at least three bids and you'll want to know the company's service record and experience.

Be sure that you ask for a complete list of both regular aerobic system maintenance costs and supplies as well as service charges, repair parts charges, and septic tank pumping and cleaning costs.

Reader Question: cost for aerobic septic system maintenance & repairs

Gregg Edelmann said:

We are thinking of purchasing a 5-acre property with an aerobic septic system. About how much should we expect to pay for regular maintenance services? I am just looking for a ballpark to gain perspective. Thanks!

Reply: (Daniel Friedman)

In fact in some U.S. states such as Texas, a septic system maintenance contract is rquired by the Texas Health and Safety Code 366.0515. That state also requires that the septic system manufacturer assures that their system is being properly maintained.

The code requires that the on site septic facility expert (OSSF) be trained and certified, and that she/he make (at least) three site visits per year to inspect the septic system condition.

Why such a heavy hand? Expert studies that I've reviewed [DF] show that the most common reason for septic system failures and thus environmental contamination as well as perhaps in-home sewage backups is the failure to perform proper system maintenance.

Here are typical aerobic septic system maintenance costs using several eptic system maintenance companys data as well as data from septic authorities in U.S. states ^[1][2]. Costs in other locations will vary.

Aerobic Septic System Maintenance Contract Costs: $175 - $600 per year depending on the level of service for which you contract.

Notes to the table above

Costs for Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU) maintenance and repairs will vary, sometimes widely, depending on the location of the system as well as on ATU system accessibility and ATU system complexity, as ATU designs vary.

Some states require that ATU septic systems be maintained by a licensed, trained material. Some such as Texas permit a homeowner to perform basic maintenance once having completed a course and passed a test administered by the state.

At AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC OPERATING COSTS we explain how to compare actual with expected electricity costs for the ATU pumps - a useful diagnostic step if a pump is failing or electricity costs for your septic system seem high.

At AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES we provide a table of typical maintenance costs for a Clearstream aerobic treatment unit.

At AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC FAILURE RATES, COSTS we provide aerobic septic failure rates and aerobic septic system repair costs.

• A failed aerobic septic system aerator pump motor will cost about $500-$600. USD. to replace while a bad timer (for systems that do not run continuously) costs up to $100.
• Note: these aerobic septic maintenance plan costs do not include the additional cost of septic tank pumping and cleaning which will also be required.
  
  See SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE.
• Septic tank treatment chemicals, restorers, de-cloggers, bacterial cultures etc. are not required and not recommended.
  
  See SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS

Watch out: don't skip aerobic septic system maintenance inspections; failure to properly inspect and maintain aerobic septic systems is cited by experts as the number one explanation for costly aerobic septic system failures.

- Daniel Friedman, See WHO ARE WE?

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Reader Question: how to re-start an aerobic septic system that has been out of use

Kenneth Nott said:
What has to be done to restart an aerobic septic system that has not been in use for five years or more? does it need to be professionally serviced ?

Reply: 6 basic steps to inspect & turn on an Aerobic Septic System that's been shut down

Kenneth in my opinion it would be smart to ask a local septic service company, one who knows aerobic systems, to inspect the one you describe, making sure that all of its components are operating properly and if necessary that the tank be pumped and cleaned.

1. Inspect the level of settled sludge in the tank to determine if a tank pump-out is needed, or better, simply have the tank pumped and cleaned so that it can be inspected for damage.
2. Inspect the electrical wiring of the aerator system for safety and proper operation
3. Inspect the electrical controls for proper operation
4. Inspect the aerator pump to see that it operates and that any filters, tubes, piping are in place, sound, and properly located
5. Inspect the effluent treatment/disinfection system to locate its components and buy and apply the disinfectant required by your system
6. Inspect the effluent disposal system if a spray system is used. Chances are spray heads will be overgrown or clogged or piping may have become disconnected

The risk is that you turn on the system but not all components work and that such conditions cause more costly damage to the system. Consider it a maintenance step

On 2019-08-16 by MMCM - ATU Septic pump failure

We had a problem with the pump that pumps out the water. It was noted in Dec. 2018. Left until now Aug. 2019. We had called a few times, got no response.

Finally, we got the owners wife who blew a gasket at me saying they have over 1000 customers but yeah they'll move us to the head of the line.

She was rude and uncaring. I was going to report them for neglecting my system when we had called 2x and emailed a few times. When you call all you ever get is a machine. Since they knew about this and our High water alarm went off is it not their responsibility to have gotten this fixed long before Aug 2019. It cost us $475.

His wife wanted the money in a snap. We have been their customer for 13 years and built a trust and asked to pay it in 2 payments and she refused.

So I said to my husband she will bloody well have to wait. Should this system have been fixed back in Dec. 2018 when he knew it was not working up to par ...as to avoid spillage?

On 2019-08-16 by (mod) - effluent pump problems

MM

Sounds as if you might want to find a different service contractor.

On 2018-12-22 by Glenn Lockwood - do I need to add bacteria starter to my septic tank?

I'm considering a simple aeration device for the lift/pump chamber on a pressure system.

Would there be enough aerobic bacteria present in the septic tank effluent to seed the pump tank? It is set to dose on demand so there's residual effluent in the tank.

On 2018-12-22 by (mod) - no

No, there's virtually no case in which you need to inoculate bacteria in a septic system.

However I wouldn't assume that an ad on aerator on a conventional septic system is a sound design approach if there's any chance that the agitated sewage is going to say small floating particulate debris into the absorption that's where they will be clogged and destroyed.

See CHEMICALS & TREATMENTS for SEPTICS - do we need to put treatments in the septic tank?

On 2018-08-15 by Sylvio - Clearstream unit components constantly breaking - Clearstream Aerobic Maintenance Cost?

We have a clearstream unit installed in 2008. The system components were constantly breaking. Pumps diaphragm replacement every two to three years at a 300$ rate per repair. 200$ maintenance contract a year. 500$ repair for a sump pump that was installed to pump the effluent in the field. 40$ of electricity a month. It costs about 700$ to 900$ a year to maintain.

When you are away on vacation, the alarm starts sounding until your neighbour calls you ir sends you email during your vacation. Breaks down in the middle of the night with this horrible alarm sounding and red light turning on.

Finally, 9 years and six months later, the main lid collapsed at the bottom of the tank, pulling all systems with it. I am now facing a 12,000$ repair quote (the lowest ine received) with nobody giving me answers of why this happened. It just decided to collapsed during march while my backyard was full of snow. My 50 year old tank is connected to the system, working like a charm.

Somebody decided to invent a system where they can suck more money out of consumers...I compare these systems to ink jet printers principles...where the printer cost you more money to operate and buy cartridges than to purchase...if you can stay away from these ..:do so...it will suck money out of your retirement funds..

On 2018-08-15 by (mod)

Sylvio,

I'm both disappointed to hear the expense and trouble you've had with ClearStream aerobic and also grateful for your field-experience report.

Several of the references we've cited in this article series point out that there is often a high failure rate in alternative septic designs (of which aerobic is one) for which the experts often blame lack of maintenance according to the manufacturer's schedule.

As you report spending $700-$900 a year for maintenance, what were you getting for that? Was the maintenance company in any way certified by ClearStream? Did they appear to know what they were doing? What has your paid maintenance company said about the system breakdowns? What causes were cited?

Those details would also be useful to everyone concerned.

On 2018-02-20 by Judy B - maintenance contracts required by Texas for aerobic units is no longer true - at least not 100%.

Inspectapedia's information concerning maintenance contracts required by Texas for aerobic units is no longer true - at least not 100%.

The State Legislature dropped that requirement in 2008 FOR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES only. The requirement was picked up by many of the permitting agencies in the state, but not all.

The rule seems to be more prevalent with the permitting agencies in the southern part of the state and more sporadic in the northern part of the state.

Aerobic units serving commercial establishments and dwellings other than single family are required to have an on-going agreement for a state-licensed Maintenance Provider to provide inspections.

Anyone in the Edwards Aquifer area should check with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or the Edwards Aquifer Authority regarding the rules applying to that area.

On 2018-02-20 by (mod)

Thank you Judy for that important update. I'll be sure to keep it with the article.

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Continue reading  at AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC OPERATING COSTS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS, ATUs - home page for Aerobic Septic Systems
• AEROBIC SEPTIC ALARM SYSTEMS - how to silence & troubleshoot
• AEROBIC SEPTIC FILTER CLOGGING
• AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC FAILURE RATES, COSTS
• AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEM ATU SUPPLIERS & MANUALS
• AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE COSTS
• AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC OPERATING COSTS
• AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC PROBLEMS
• AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
• HOOT AEROBIC SEPTIC TROUBLESHOOTING
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE CAUSES
• SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA
• SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS
• SEPTIC TANK PUMPING REASONS
• SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE

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AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE COSTS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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