Upfront Septic completed a septic system inspection and pump assessment at a property on Anderson Island, WA. Upon arrival, our technician excavated and accessed the two-compartment septic tank as well as the separate pump tank to evaluate the condition and performance of the system.

A drawdown test was performed on the pump tank, which showed a rate of approximately 0.75 inches per minute. This is below the approximately 1-inch-per-minute rate expected for the system and may indicate that the current pump is not the correct specification for the septic system. Additional evaluation is recommended to confirm that the existing pump is properly sized and matched to the system's design requirements.

The inspection also revealed massive root intrusion inside the pump tank. The extent of the intrusion should be addressed to help protect the tank and its components from additional damage. Once the correct pump specifications have been confirmed, drain field jetting may also be necessary depending on the system's performance and condition.

The existing tanks would also benefit from the installation of proper risers. Adding risers to all tanks would provide easier access for future inspections, maintenance, and pumping while eliminating the need for extensive excavation each time the system requires service.

Upfront Septic's inspection identified several important maintenance and repair considerations, including the low pump tank drawdown rate, extensive root intrusion, and lack of risers. Further evaluation of the pump and system specifications will help determine the appropriate next steps for restoring reliable septic system performance.