What Do Septic Companies Do With the Waste?
Where septic waste goes after pumping
In this article
After pumping a tank, septic companies haul the waste (called septage) to a wastewater treatment plant or a septage receiving facility, where it's treated with sewage. In some areas, it can be treated and applied to permitted farmland under strict rules. Companies pay disposal fees and keep records of every load.
Where septage goes
| Option | How it works |
|---|---|
| Wastewater treatment plant | Septage is unloaded and treated with municipal sewage |
| Septage receiving station | Screens and treats septage before treatment |
| Land application | Treated (e.g. lime-stabilised) septage spread on permitted land |
| Private treatment facility | Dewatering and processing |
What happens at the treatment plant
- The truck unloads at a receiving station
- Screens remove trash, rags and grit
- Septage is blended into the plant's treatment process
- Solids are separated, treated and turned into biosolids
- Clean water is discharged under permit
Land application rules
Where it's allowed, septage usually must be treated to reduce pathogens, applied at set rates, kept away from wells and waterways, and documented. Federal and state rules govern it.
Costs for septic companies
Disposal fees are often charged per gallon and are one of a septic company's main costs, along with fuel and truck time. Long drives to disposal sites raise prices for customers.
Records
Septic haulers keep manifests showing where each load came from and where it was disposed, to comply with state and local regulations.
Can septic waste be dumped anywhere?
No. Illegal dumping is a serious environmental violation with heavy fines.
Running a septic company: How to start a septic tank business and How to run a septic tank business.
Frequently asked questions
What do septic companies do with the waste?
They haul it to a treatment plant or permitted site where it's treated.
Where does septic waste go?
Usually to a wastewater treatment plant or septage receiving facility.
Can septage be used as fertiliser?
In some areas, after treatment, it can be applied to permitted land.
Do septic companies pay to dump waste?
Yes. Disposal fees are a significant cost.
Is dumping septic waste illegal?
Dumping outside permitted facilities is illegal.
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