Septic Tank Pumping & Inspections
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Septic System Information
DO conserve water to avoid overloading the system.
DO use substitutes for household hazardous waste.
DO learn the location of your septic tank and drainfield. Keep a sketch of it handy with your
maintenance records for service visits.
DO cover the drain field with a grass cover to prevent erosion and remove excess water.
DO keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspections and pumpings. Install risers if necessary.
DO keep a detailed record of repairs, pumpings, inspections, permits issued, and other maintenance activities.
DO divert other sources of water, like roof drains, house footing drains, and sump pumps, way from the septic system. Excessive water keeps the soil in the drain field from naturally cleansing the wastewater.
DO have your septic tank pumped out regularly by a DEQ licensed contractor.
DO call a professional whenever you experience problems with your system, or if there are any signs of system failure.
DO use substitutes for household hazardous waste.
DO learn the location of your septic tank and drainfield. Keep a sketch of it handy with your
maintenance records for service visits.
DO cover the drain field with a grass cover to prevent erosion and remove excess water.
DO keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspections and pumpings. Install risers if necessary.
DO keep a detailed record of repairs, pumpings, inspections, permits issued, and other maintenance activities.
DO divert other sources of water, like roof drains, house footing drains, and sump pumps, way from the septic system. Excessive water keeps the soil in the drain field from naturally cleansing the wastewater.
DO have your septic tank pumped out regularly by a DEQ licensed contractor.
DO call a professional whenever you experience problems with your system, or if there are any signs of system failure.
Septic System DO's
DON'T flush material that will not easily decompose, such as hair, diapers, cigarette butts, matches, or feminine hygiene products.
DON'T wash or flush medicines or hazardous chemicals like paint, paint thinner and bleach into the system. They kill the bacteria needed to decompose wastes in the septic tank and drainfield.
DON'T drive over the septic tank or drainfield. Very Important!!
DON'T flush flushable wipes. Many septic tank pumpers and city public works employees are finding they don't break down and cause serious headaches.
DON'T plant anything over or near the drain field except grass. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage drain lines.
DON'T dig in your drain field or build anything over it.
DON'T cover the drain field with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt.
DON'T make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required permit. Use professionally licensed septic contractors when needed.
DON'T use septic tank additives. These products usually do not help and some may even be harmful to your system.
DON'T allow backwash from home water softeners or condensate from an air conditioner or heat pump to enter the septic system.
DON'T enter your tank. Any work to the tank should be done from outside. Gases that can be generated in the tank and/or oxygen depletion can be fatal.
DON'T wash or flush medicines or hazardous chemicals like paint, paint thinner and bleach into the system. They kill the bacteria needed to decompose wastes in the septic tank and drainfield.
DON'T drive over the septic tank or drainfield. Very Important!!
DON'T flush flushable wipes. Many septic tank pumpers and city public works employees are finding they don't break down and cause serious headaches.
DON'T plant anything over or near the drain field except grass. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage drain lines.
DON'T dig in your drain field or build anything over it.
DON'T cover the drain field with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt.
DON'T make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required permit. Use professionally licensed septic contractors when needed.
DON'T use septic tank additives. These products usually do not help and some may even be harmful to your system.
DON'T allow backwash from home water softeners or condensate from an air conditioner or heat pump to enter the septic system.
DON'T enter your tank. Any work to the tank should be done from outside. Gases that can be generated in the tank and/or oxygen depletion can be fatal.
Septic System DON'Ts
If you live in Marion County, OR, you can research online records to see if there is any record of permits associated with your address. This can include as-builts of the system- detailed information about the tank, it's size, specific location, authorizations, etc. Go to:
Accept the disclaimer, then search for a partial address (e.g.123 Main, 123 N Main, 123 North Main. If you address isn't coming up, try less information or just the numbers of the address).All available records will be displayed
For Linn County, records are also searchable, but it's not quite as user friendly. Go to:
Accept the disclaimer to show a map with a searchable address box in the upper left corner. Search for your address, then zoom in to see the property on the map. Click within the property anywhere except on the dot and a pop up window will appear. Click Permit Images. If any documents are available, then will be listed to click on each image.
The EPA has good basic septic information
OSU Extension Service has a great page about septic system maintenance. Find it
We also service areas in Polk, Yamhill, and Clackamas Counties, but there are no searchable records. We have contacts with each county to call for records so contact us if you want help finding info about your system.
Farmers Septic Company * Jeremiah Homutoff * DEQ#34071
farmerssepticco@gmail.com * (503) 873-3344 * PO Box 1392, Silverton, Oregon 97381
(503) 873-3344
DEQ # 34071