Construction
Septic Tank Size
Required tank capacity based on bedrooms, occupancy, and high-use fixtures. Always confirm with your county health department.
FAQ
EPA daily flow per bedroom? +
EPA assumes 100-150 gpd per bedroom for residential. Tank must hold 2 days of flow plus sludge buildup space — typically 1000-1500 gal for a 3-bed home.
How often to pump? +
Every 3-5 years for a properly sized tank with average use. Garbage disposals + larger households + more usage = pump more often (2-3 years).
What if it's wrong? +
Undersized = solids escape into the drain field → field fails → $15-30K replacement. Oversized = waste money up front but no harm. Always size up when in doubt.