Operation of the septic pumper truck:

This document describes the steps in septic pumper truck operation during septic tank cleaning and service.

We describe the septic pumper truck operator's steps in opening the septic tank, placing the vacuum lines, checking the septic truck vacuum pump for proper operation before beginning the pumpout, the normal vacuum levels in the system during septic tank pumping, listening for jamming of the septic vacuum pump during pumping, connecting the vacuum hoses to the pumper truck, and beginning the septic tank vacuuming procedure.

Septic Tank Pumper Truck Operation Procedures

Septic pumping trucks are specialized vehicles which combine a powerful vacuum pump with a holding tank for sewage and wastewater.

The vacuum pump is activated, suction confirmed, the pumper is connected to a 4" or larger vacuum line, and the operator uses the line to empty the septic tank.

Common septic pumper truck vacuum pump brands include Battioni & Pagani vacuum pumps, Conde vacuum pumps, Hertell vacuum pumps, Masport vacuum pumps, Moro vacuum pumps, NVE (National Vacuum Equipment) pumps, PB vacuum pumps, Juro vacuum pumps.

Contact information for the manufacturers or distributors of all of these pumper truck vacuum pumps are at the end of this article. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

An example of the type of vacuum pump used on septic tank service vehicles is the Masport HXL400 System - Water cooled 400 CFM unit. Various pump sizes and pumping rates are available, all of them that work on septic pumper trucks will be similar in effect however.

This is a very powerful pump, typically weighing 470 pounds, using 6-vanes, water cooled, and pumping sewage at 400 cubic feet per minute. It should be readily apparent that sewage moving through the unit and into the pumper truck will be highly agitated and mixed in the truck. This agitation effect will be true with any pump used for this application.

A Photographic Step by Step Guide to Pumping or Cleaning a Septic Tank

Before placing the septic tank pumping lines or performing any other steps with the septic pumping truck the operator locates the septic tank and removes its cover (discussed above.)

With the septic tank opened the operator performs an initial action to begin breaking up the septic tank floating scum layer and settled sludge layer as shown in the photo here.

The septic pumper operator lays out the pumping vacuum lines from the tank to the septic tank.

The vacuum lines are not yet connected to the pumper truck nor has the vacuum pump been turned on.

These photographs show the septic pumper truck's vacuum pump assembly.

The second photo (below) of the vacuum pump gauge indicates that the pump is running at about -6" of mercury.

In preparing to connect the pumper hose to the truck's transport tank, the operator must first turn on the vacuum pump.

You will only forget to do this once, as opening the valve at the bottom of the pumper tank without first turning on the vacuum pump can permit sewage to flow back out of the tank onto the operator!

The operator listens to the truck's vacuum pump motor to assure that the vacuum pump is operating correctly.

If the pump is blocked or jammed it will need to be cleared or repaired.

Once the vacuum pump is operating satisfactorily we're ready to remove the pumper truck tank valve cover and to attach the vacuum line to the pumper truck.

In the first photo at above left the operator is holding a bucket under the tank valve to catch the small amount of effluent that may fall out of the valve body when the valve cap is removed in order to attach the pumping hose.

The photo above shows the operator attaching the first length of septic tank pumping hose to the tank truck.

With the pumper truck's vacuum pump operating properly and the septic pumping hoses laid in place, and with the first hose section already connected to the pumper truck, the operator connects the remaining sections of the vacuum line.

Watch out: the operator in these photos is not wearing personal eye protection equipment nor an apron.

Those are recommended to protect from hazards of sewage contaminant splash-back.

 

Septic Pumping Truck Guides & Vacuum Truck Manuals

Photo: a septic vacuum pumper truck from Pikrite, cited in detail below.

Watch out: DANGER: DO NOT enter a transport, septic, or holding tank without fi rst cleaning and providing adequate ventilation to the interior of the tank. Sewer gas is deadly if inhaled; in addition, it depletes the oxygen in a confined space, which can cause asphyxiation.

DO NOT enter a transport, septic, or holding tank without using a respirator that supplies grade D breathing air or a self-contained breathing apparatus. In addition, DO NOT use this equipment without training and familiarity with it. Entering a tank exposed to sewage effl uent without a correct breathing apparatus, or with improper use of it, can cause death.

DO NOT enter a transport, septic, or holding tank without protective clothing. Sewer gas can be absorbed through the skin causing serious injury or death.

DO NOT stand near the oil catch muffler or discharge valve when loading or unloading the tank. Sewer gases vented out of the oil catch muffler will settle downward. Sewer gases can also be expelled out of the discharge valve when releasing tank pressure. Inhaling sewer gases can cause severe injury or death.

DO NOT allow children or irresponsible people near your work area or equipment. Fatalities have occurred when children have fallen or climbed into unattended septic/holding tanks. Secure your work area from entry of unauthorized persons in the vicinity.

WARNING: When entering a transport, septic, or holding tank, always have someone standing by to provide assistance, and always have a respirator that supplies grade D breathing air or a self-contained breathing apparatus on hand for them. In the event of an attempted rescue, this equipment is necessary to prevent death of the rescuer.

WARNING: Attach a safety-harness and rope to any person that enters a transport, septic, or holding tank. Have the safety-harness rope held by a person standing by to provide assistance outside the tank. An attempted rescue without the advantage of a rope and harness can be life threatening to the rescuer.

WARNING: Entry into a transport, septic, or holding tank is confined space entry. Persons entering these tanks for any purpose must be trained in and follow OSHA confined space safety procedures.

- Imperial Industries & STG Global.

• AR RULES PERTAINING to SEPTIC TANK CLEANERS [PDF] (2022) Arkansas State Board of Health, - retrieved 2023/05/30, original source: healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/rules/SEPTIC_TANK_CLEANER.pdf
• Imperial, SEPTIC VACUUM TANKER OPERATOR'S MANUAL [PDF] Imperial Industries, Wausau WI, - retrieved 2023/05/30, original source: https://www.imperialind.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/OwnersManual.pdf
  
  Note: includes details on cleaning the vacuum pump.
• MT SEPTIC PUMPER GUIDE [PDF] (2011) Montana DEQ Solid Waste Section, - retrieved 2023/05/30, original source: deq.mt.gov/files/Land/SolidWaste/Documents/pumpers/SepticPumperGuideFebruary2011.pdf
  
  Excerpt:
  The information in this guidance is provided to assist the disposers of septage understand the requirements for licensure and follow the State and Federal requirements for the disposal of septage, grease trap waste, privy waste, car wash sump waste, and other similar wastes.
  
  These similar wastes include, but are not limited to, other primarily liquid wastes such as food processing wastes, septic tank pumpings that contain commercial and industrial wastewater, and snow melt sump wastewater, that can be applied to the land for a beneficial purpose.
  
  Wastes must be managed in a way that is protective of human health and the environment. To place waste on or into private or public property, the pumper/disposer must first have the permission of the landowner, facility operator, or the designated representative of the owner or operator and then obtain local and State approval prior to use. Wastes determined to be regulated hazardous wastes are not covered under the Solid Waste rules.
  
  Guidance on the management of hazardous wastes can be found in ARM Title 17, chapter 53 and can be reviewed on the MT DEQ web site.
• ND SEPTIC PUMPER MANUAL [PDF] (2015) North Dakota DEQ, - retrieved 2023/05/30, original source: deq.nd.gov/publications/wq/2_NDPDES/SepticPumper/SepticPumperManual_05012015.pdf
• OSHA, CONFINED SPACES in construction [PDF] OSHA, - retrieved 2023/05/30, original source: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2019-03/confinedspace.pdf
• OSHA PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACES [PDF] OSHA, - retrieved 2023/05/30, original source: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3138.pdf
• Pikrite VACUUM TRUCK MAINTENANCE GUIDE [PDF] Pikrite, Web: pikrite.com Tel: 800-326-9763 - retrieved 2023/05/30, original source: http://www.pikrite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/MaintenanceManual_72Dpi.pdf
  
  Focused largely on the vacuum pump - Ed.
• Progress Tank, VACUUM TANK MAINTENANCE and OPERATIONS MANUAL [PDF] Progress Tank, - retrieved 2023/05/30, original source: progresstank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Septic-Maintenance-and-Operations-Manual.pdf
• STG SEPTIC VACUUM PUMPER TRUCK OPERATORS MANUAL HDV6000 [PDF] STG Global, Tel: 1 300 998 784, Web: stgglobal.net - retrieved 2023/05/30, original source: d3r4tb575cotg3.cloudfront.net/documents/HDV6000_Manual.pdf
• WI, SEPTAGE OPERATOR SERVICING HANDBOOK & STUDY GUIDE [PDF] for Septage Servicing Operator Certification, Wisconsin DNR, - retrieved 2023/05/30, original source: dnr.wi.gov/ regulations/opcert/documents/septagestudyguide.pdf
  
  Excerpt:s
  This HANDBOOK and STUDY GUIDE contain the necessary information an individual would need to study to pass the Septage Servicing Operator certification exams at the Grade T or Grade L levels.
  
  Every certified Septage Servicing Operator shall have sufficient knowledge of sanitation and of the principles underlying the operation, servicing and disposal of Septic and Holding Tanks, dosing chambers, grease interceptors, seepage beds, seepage pits, seepage trenches, privies, and portable restrooms, to safeguard the public health and welfare
  
  Re: septic pumper trucks:
  
  VEHICLES:
  
  Administrative Code NR 113 requires that every Septage Servicing Business shall provide or have available: facilities for washing vehicles, tanks, implements, and tools.
  
  These facilities should be designed to prevent a nuisance to the general public. In addition, clean and well maintained equipment provides an image of a well run professional business. The wastewater from equipment cleaning must be handled in the same manner as septage.
  
  This means it must go to an approved land application site or to a wastewater treatment plant. Discharge to a sanitary sewer is acceptable. Discharges to roadside ditches, storm sewers, or land that is not an approved land application site are not acceptable.
• See also the manuals and contact information given at

  PUMPER TRUCKS & VACUUM PUMPS SOURCES / SPECS 

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2022-12-06 by Tim

@InspectApedia (Editor), thanks, that is a great reply, just what I was looking for.

On 2022-12-06 by InspectApedia (Editor) - How many septic tanks can the typical truck pump out before it must be emptied?

@Tim,

A septic tank pumping truck can remove the contents of multiple septic tanks before it needs to be emptied to add an approved waste disposal site. The number of septic tanks it can pump as a function of the size of the tank and capacity and the size of the septic tanks that it is serving.

We give examples of septic pumper truck sizes and capacities and pumping distances at the article I will list below. Please take a look and let me know if that leaves you with any questions.

Please see

PUMPER TRUCK VACUUM PUMPS

On 2022-12-06 by Tim

How many septic tanks can the typical truck pump out before it must be emptied? Can the same truck pump out two tanks in the same day before it is emptied? How many tanks can a truck pump out in the same day? Must they be emptied between each pumpout? Thanks.

On 2022-09-22 by Candice

@InspectApedia-911,
Thank you sooo much! You confirmed my hunch. Candice

On 2022-09-22 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - did driver refill my cesspool?

@Candice,

In my opinion it's an unfortunate but common scam in which the pumping company pumps out your Cesspool or septic tank and then pretend this to be pumping back in some liquid. In fact unless the truck has a special and unusual filtering system, they're simply pumping in agitated sewage.

There is no benefit, no need, and no requirement to refill a septic tank accessible after pumping. It simply saves the pumping company the cost of disposing of the sewage. And you're not getting the job that you paid for.

On 2022-09-22 by Candice

Cesspool pump truck put hose into cesspool and turned lever to the right while man held hose and moved it up and down apparently sucking out waste, but then he turned lever on truck to left and held hose down with foot...like you would do if you were filling something up FROM hose.

Is this right or did he refill my cesspool?

On 2022-06-06 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - does truck have a long enough hose to reach around the garage

@Alice A Smith,

Many septic pumper trucks carry a shorter length but certainly there are septic pumping companies offering pumping services advertising that they can reach up to 200 feet from the truck.

On 2022-06-06 by Alice A Smith

If you have a garage and septic tank is behind it does your truck have a long enough hose to reach around the garage

On 2021-11-06 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - truck pump did not want to start again

@roberto,

Can we ID the pump brand and model, then check the manual?

Backpressure or valve setting or debris cleanout?

On 2021-11-06 by roberto

Hello, I filled my truck tank once, everything worked ok, when I started my second trip for the day, the pump did not want to start again. It sounds like it wants to turn but with heavy drag.

On 2021-06-28 by danjoefriedman (mod) - how far away from the tank can the truck be and still clean the tank?

@Royce_0331,

I would not assume that all septic pumping trucks are the same size because they are not. As for pumping distance take a look at our answer to Michael which is the last of the Q and A's at the bottom of the article above. Thanks.

On 2021-06-28 by Royce_0331

Assuming average home septic tank trucks all have the same size pump how far away from the tank can the truck be and still clean the tank?

On 2021-02-20 by Larry

What does a full septic pumper truck weigh?

On 2021-02-10 by danjoefriedman (mod)

Sorry Josh but we can't provide cleaning service.

To protect reader Trust, InspectApedia.com does not sell any product nor service.

On 2021-02-10 by josh

i need a road swer cleand

On 2020-11-28 - by (mod) -

Chris

Without more information I really can't say what the septic tank pumper truck driver is doing on his lawn. He may simply be warming up the truck engine. Of course if you see pumper hoses from his truck connected to anything such as a public sewer, that would be a concern.

On 2020-11-28 by Chrispi2

The guy across the street drives a septic tank truck. Every day he backs onto his lawn and runs the truck. What is he doing? Then he drives off.

On 2020-05-28 - by (mod) - a septic tank can be "pumped" through a 4-inch cleanout opening, but not really "pumped clean"

Herman

Thanks for a helpful question.

Yes, and No - a septic tank can be "pumped" through a 4-inch cleanout opening, but not really "pumped clean"

That is,

Yes, t's very easy for the pumper truck's vacuum pump to draw out the liquid effluent and a bit of the settled sludge and floating scum layer, but

No: through just a 4-inch opening it difficult or even impossible to manipulate the intake hose and certainly impossible to use a muck-rake to break up the floating and settled solids that occupy part of the septic tank's volume.

Therefore the pumping operation is just able to do the "easy" part of the job and it's likely to leave a significant volume of solids in the tank - which is unfortunate because it is precisely the removal of those: the floating scum and settled sludge solids - that is the real objective of pumping out a septic tank.

On 2020-05-28 by Herman

Can a septic tank be pumped through the clean out 4”

On 2020-03-06 - by (mod) -

Policy on Purchase Orders Sorry, but we cannot provide the product or service that you asked about.

We do not sell anything. No products, no services. InspectAPedia.com provides building and environmental diagnostic and repair information. In order to absolutely assure our readers that we write and report without bias we do not sell any products nor do we have any business or financial relationships that could create such conflicts of interest

On 2020-03-06 by George W. Bush

I'm very interested in your deep pumper hoses. Could I possibly get a free estimate of how much it would cost to install a Vactor EXB-198 pumper hose onto my Universal H-12 vactor truck?

On 2019-11-22 - by (mod) -

Charles,

Thank you for an interesting question.

You would definitely not use a septic pumper truck to remove waste oil. The pump type is different, and the disposal regulations are different for sewage than for waste oil.

Also you certainly would not want to mix waste oil with septage or sewage waste. If you did so you may find that there was no legal place you could dispose of it since the disposal regulations for waste oil will be quite different from those for septage.

On 2019-11-22 by Charles

Can a pump truck be used to suck waste oil from restaurants?

On 2019-10-15 - by (mod) -

David

Septic pumper trucks dump the sewage they collect in a site approved by the municipal health authority: that may be a local sewage treatment plant or it may be an outdoor dumping station approved for that purpose - regulations vary by country and province, state, etc.

The licensing requirements to operate a septic pumper truck and septic tank cleaning company vary by municipality as well but typically a septic servicing license is required and is issued by the local department of health or similar authority.

Here is just one example, septic pumper licensing requirements for a jurisdiction in California

• REQUIREMENTS FOR SEPTIC TANK PUMPERS AND CHEMICAL TOILET OPERATORS [PDF] Contra Costa Health Services, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION
  2120 Diamond Blvd., Suite 200 Concord, CA 94520 Tel: (925) 692-2500 Website: www.cchealth.org/eh/ retrieved 2019/1-0/15 original source: https://cchealth.org/eh/land-use/pdf/septic_pumpers_requirements.pdf
  

On 2019-10-15 by David

Where do these cleaning trucks get empty?, what kind of license do I need to operate a pumper truck?

On 2019-07-18 by Anonymous

Any Medium size Vacuum truck

On 2016-04-22 by wally

verry helpfull thank you

Question:

(Feb 13, 2014) Anonymous said:
Dear sir we need to contact you we want to buy some of them here is our contact number ...

Reply:

Anon: to protect the trust of our readers, InspectApedia does not sell any product or service. However if you check the Citations & References at the end of any article, including this one, you will find referrals to companies and sources that can assist you. You'll need to click on the "Click to Show or Hide Citations & References" to see those details.

DO NOT send us email or contact us to attempt to purchase anything. We do not sell anything.

Question: costs involved in septic pumping or pumping equipment

(Apr 2, 2014) Anonymous said:
How much is the cost ?

Reply:

Anon I'm not sure what cost you are asking: $100 to $200 to pump a septic tank (varies more by location and local regulation on disposal of sewage) or the cost of a septic pumper truck ($50,000 & up, used)

Question: how far can the tank be from the pumper truck

(May 9, 2015) Michael said:
how long are the hoses used to pump out septic tanks? my tank is about two hundred feet from street.

Reply:

Michael:

Many septic pumper trucks carry a shorter length but certainly there are septic pumping companies offering pumping services advertising that they can reach up to 200 feet from the truck.

Keep in mind that the total pumper truck hose length needs to include not just the horizontal distance but also the vertical distances from ground level into the septic pumper truck tank and from ground surface to the bottom of the septic tank. On a dead flat site I'd add another 13 feet to the horizontal distance from pumper truck connection to septic tank cleanout lid.

See PUMPER TRUCKS & VACUUM PUMPS SOURCES / SPECS for additional limitations on lift height for septic tank pumpouts.

...

Continue reading  at PUMPING the SEPTIC TANK or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
• SEPTIC TANK PUMPING MISTAKES
• SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
  • CLEANING SEPTIC TANKS
  • WHEN to CLEAN THE SEPTIC TANK
  • WHEN NOT TO PUMP A SEPTIC TANK
  • FIND the SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO
  • HOW TO OPEN a SEPTIC TANK
  • INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK BEFORE PUMPING
  • SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
  • SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE
  • PUMPER TRUCK OPERATION PROCEDURE
  • PUMPER TRUCKS & VACUUM PUMPS SOURCES / SPECS
  • PUMPING the SEPTIC TANK
  • RECORD SEPTIC TANK LOCATION
  • SEPTIC PUMPING CONCLUSIONS
• SEPTIC TANK PUMPING REASONS
• SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE
• SEPTIC TANK SAFETY

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PUMPER TRUCK OPERATION PROCEDURE 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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