Septic Tank System Abandonment and Removal
What do you do if you need to Abandon a Septic Tank?
When a septic tank is no longer used because of an alternate connection to city sewer, the tank must be properly abandoned or removed. This applies to old cesspools, leaching pits, dry wells, seepage pits, vault privies, and pit privies. Access for future uses must be permanently denied.
Every jurisdiction may have different specific abandonment or removal requirements and must be followed. The goal is to render the area of the old tank safe and free of environmental or public health impacts.
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Common process for abandoning a septic tank system
In general, a septic tank must first be completely emptied of its contents using a vacuum truck operated by an appropriately licensed professional who will properly dispose of the waste at an approved facility.
Crush the tank completely.
- Drill drain holes so that water will drain.
- Backfill and compact the approved material.
- Typically, a granular material or some other inert flowable material is used for backfill (concrete or pea gravel).
- The abandoned tank must present no collapse or confined-space hazard.
- Contaminated material and inspection pipes can be removed and disposed of in a mixed municipal solid waste landfill.
- The Abandonment is Documented and Mapped.
Common process for removing a septic tank system:
- Crush the tank and remove it completely disposing of it an approved facility.
- Backfill and compact the approved material.
- Typically, a granular material is used for backfill (pea gravel).
- Contaminated material and inspection pipes can be removed and disposed of in a mixed municipal solid waste landfill.
In many cases, the leach field may be abandoned in place if approved by the local jurisdiction.
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