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Why Does My Township Make Me Pump My Septic Tank?

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Well, the short answer is to keep your system happy, healthy, and running smoothly—plus, it prevents big messes later! Regular pumping is your secret to hassle-free, trouble-free living.

Now for those of you who like a more technical answer 😊 It’s not actually your township who is requiring the pumping. The State of Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is mandating your township to develop a septic maintenance program that manages the environmental risk that your septic system poses to the state's waterways.

Honestly, pumping your septic tank is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to be environmentally responsible while keeping your septic system running smoothly.

How do I know if my township has a pumping ordinance?

If you’re not sure if you have a township pumping ordinance, the best place to check will be your township or borough website. If you do live in a township with a pumping ordinance, you’ll usually receive a notice when your septic tank is due to be pumped. Give us a call or visit our website to schedule septic service and get recommendations for a pumping schedule based on your township requirements.

What if I don’t have a pumping ordinance?

Even if your township doesn’t require regular pumping, we still recommend servicing your septic system every 2-4 years. However, the two major factors to consider are the size of your septic tank, and the number of people living in your house. If you’re not sure how many gallons your septic tank is, the general rule of thumb is most tank sizes are based on the number of bedrooms in your home. For most homes built after 1980, 3 bedroom-houses typically have a 1000 gallon tank, while 4-5 bedrooms usually require a 1500 gallon tank. Check out the chart below to quickly reference your ideal pumping frequency, or contact us today for more information.

Septic Tank Pumping Frequency (In Years)



Contact RenewSource today if you have any questions or to schedule your next septic tank pumping.

Lineup of various large trucks including septic tankers, a white pickup with excavator, and heavy-duty semi trucks parked on gravel.

Septic or Liquid Waste Issue? Call RenewSource Today!

When the RenewSource truck arrives at your property, you can rest assured you’ll be taken care of.

Because our crews have been reliably—and happily—serving our customers for over 35 years. And after all that time, we’re still passionate about taking the issues of liquid waste management and septic services completely off their minds.

So if you’re in Lebanon, Dauphin, Berks, Lancaster, or Schuylkill counties, get in touch. You deserve to know you’re taken care of—by clean, professional crews who have your best interests and the respect of your property top of mind.

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