A new septic system installation requires more than placing a tank and drain field on a property. The system needs to fit the site’s soil, terrain, wastewater needs, available space, and applicable local requirements. All Septic & Sewer helps homeowners and property owners plan and complete installations throughout Pierce, King, and Thurston Counties.
From connecting with a septic system designer to preparing the site, coordinating permits, installing the tank and drain field, and completing required inspections, our team can help keep the project moving from planning through completion.
We’ll Put You in Touch With a Septic System Designer
Before construction begins, a new system needs a design that fits the property. Site conditions can affect the tank location, drain field size, system type, setbacks, and other installation details. A qualified designer can evaluate these factors and prepare the plans required for review.
If you do not already have a system design, All Septic & Sewer can help connect you with a reputable designer. Our team can also help coordinate with the designer and installer so the approved plans are understood before work begins.
A good design should account for the home’s expected wastewater flow, available treatment area, soil conditions, terrain, access for construction equipment, and the type of treatment and distribution system selected.
Health Department Design Approval
Septic installations in Washington are subject to local health department requirements. The exact application process depends on the county and property, but new on-site sewage systems generally require an approved design and installation permit before construction begins. King County, for example, states that a site application, approved design, and installation permit are required for a new on-site sewage system, and construction cannot begin until the installation permit is posted.
For Pierce and Thurston County properties, All Septic & Sewer can help homeowners understand the steps involved in submitting the required information and preparing for county review. Depending on the project, application materials can include a site plan, septic system design, soil information, and other supporting documents.
County reviewers may evaluate the site and design for compliance with applicable regulations. If revisions are required, the designer and property owner may need to address those comments before the project can move forward.
Gravity, Pressure, and Most Aerobic Septic System Installation
The right system depends on the property. Soil, slope, usable drain field area, groundwater conditions, wastewater flow, and other site factors can influence the type of system that is appropriate.
All Septic & Sewer installs gravity, pressure, and most aerobic systems.
Gravity systems use elevation to move effluent from the tank toward the drain field. They can be a practical option where site conditions provide the necessary elevation and soil treatment area.
Pressure systems use a pump to distribute effluent to the drain field. This can be useful on properties where elevation or site layout makes gravity distribution impractical.
Aerobic treatment systems use additional oxygen and treatment processes to improve wastewater treatment before effluent reaches the soil treatment area. These systems may be appropriate where site or regulatory conditions call for additional treatment.
The type of system should be determined by the approved design and the conditions of the individual property rather than choosing a system based only on preference.
What Happens During a Septic System Installation?
Once the design and required approvals are in place, installation can begin. The work typically involves preparing access to the property, locating utilities, excavating the tank and treatment area, placing the septic tank, installing distribution components, connecting the plumbing, and constructing the drain field according to the approved design.
Utility locating is an important part of the preparation process. Excavation should account for existing underground utilities and other site features before work begins.
The installation also needs to follow the approved elevations, pipe layout, setbacks, and construction details. Depending on the system, work may include a pump chamber, distribution box, pressure piping, controls, or other components.
After installation, required inspections and documentation help confirm that the system was completed according to the approved plans and applicable requirements.
Decommissioning Old Septic Systems
A property may need an existing system decommissioned when a new system replaces it or when the property connects to another wastewater service. Decommissioning is more than simply abandoning the old tank in place.
The existing system may need to be located, exposed, pumped, and handled according to applicable county requirements. The tank or other components may then be filled, removed, or otherwise decommissioned as required.
All Septic & Sewer can assist with the physical work involved in decommissioning an old system and coordinating the required documentation.
Septic System Installation in Pierce, King & Thurston Counties
All Septic & Sewer serves residential and commercial properties across Pierce, King, and Thurston Counties. Local requirements can vary, so the installation process should be based on the property’s jurisdiction and the approved design.
In Pierce County, projects may involve coordination with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Thurston County properties are subject to Thurston County Environmental Health requirements. King County has its own Public Health on-site sewage program and permitting process. King County also maintains a list of certified professionals, including designers and master installers, for on-site sewage work.
The same septic installation approach does not necessarily work on every property. Soil, terrain, lot size, access, groundwater, and local requirements all need to be considered.
How All Septic & Sewer Handles New Septic Projects
A successful installation starts before the excavator arrives. All Septic & Sewer works with property owners, designers, and the applicable reviewing agencies to help move projects from planning into construction.
Our team can assist with site preparation, utility coordination, installation, system components, and decommissioning when an old system needs to be taken out of service. We focus on following the approved design and keeping the property owner informed about the work being performed.
Why Choose All Septic & Sewer?
Installing a system is a significant property project, so homeowners need a team that understands both the physical installation and the steps that come before it.
All Septic & Sewer has more than 20 years of combined experience between owners Jeremy Moore and Robert Eacrett. The company serves Pierce, King, and Thurston Counties and works with different system configurations based on site and design requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
A new system generally requires a site evaluation and approved design before construction. The exact process varies by jurisdiction and property. Depending on the county, applications can involve a site plan, soil information, system design, and other supporting materials. King County states that a site application, design, and installation permit are required for a new on-site sewage system and that construction cannot begin until the installation permit is posted.
The appropriate system is determined by the site’s conditions and the approved design. Soil characteristics, available treatment area, slope, groundwater, wastewater flow, property layout, and local requirements can all affect the choice. A qualified septic designer evaluates those factors and develops a system that is appropriate for the property rather than selecting a system simply because it is common in another location.
The company can help property owners navigate the installation process and coordinate the information needed for county review. Permit requirements and application procedures vary by jurisdiction, so the specific responsibilities depend on the project. The septic designer and applicable health department or environmental health agency play important roles in reviewing and approving the system before installation begins.
The schedule depends on the design, permitting, site conditions, weather, access, excavation requirements, and inspection process. A straightforward project may move more quickly than a system requiring additional site preparation or specialized components. Once the design and permit are in place, the contractor can provide a more useful project schedule based on the property’s specific conditions.
Yes, depending on the project, an existing system may need to be decommissioned when a replacement system is installed or another wastewater service becomes available. The old tank and associated components must be handled according to applicable local requirements. Work may include locating and exposing the tank, pumping it, filling or removing it, restoring the area, and completing any required documentation.
A gravity system uses elevation to move effluent toward the drain field, while a pressure system uses a pump to distribute effluent through pressure piping. The appropriate choice depends on the property’s terrain, soil, available treatment area, system design, and local requirements. Neither type is automatically appropriate for every property. The approved design should determine which distribution method is used.
In many new installation projects, a qualified designer is needed to evaluate the property and prepare the system design for approval. King County, for example, describes a process in which an on-site sewage system designer submits the site application and an approved installer constructs the system. All Septic & Sewer can help connect property owners with a reputable designer when one is needed.
Contact All Septic & Sewer for Septic System Installation
If you are planning a new septic system or need to replace an existing one, contact All Septic & Sewer to discuss your property and the next steps.
Our team can help you understand the installation process, coordinate with a designer when needed, and complete the approved system according to the project requirements.
