Septic Tank Inspection Checklist

• System Type

  Gravity Drainfield

  Pressurized Drainfield

  Sandfilter Drainfield

  Mound
• Address
  Address

• Inspector

• Conducted on

  Date

Before the Inspection

• Take/attach photo(s) of as-built drawing

  Media

• Date of Last Septic Tank Inspection

  Date

• Date of Last Septic Tank Pumping

  Date

• Have there been any repairs on the septic tank?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Specify

During the Inspection

• Are you inspecting with someone—who marks off this checklist as you go and calls a professional if you encounter problems?

  Yes

  No

• Are you wearing protective clothing (e.g. rubber gloves and eye protection)?

  Yes

  No

• Have you assembled the tools and materials needed for the inspection?

  Yes

  No

• Have you reviewed the safety rules (e.g. fall and trip hazards)?

  Yes

  No

Septic Tank

• Are the risers watertight with no visible leaks?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Test the water tightness of risers by running a hose on the outside.

• Are the risers free of cracks or visible damage?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Is the tank free of strong, overpowering odor?

  Yes

  No

• Where is the liquid level in the tank?

  Base of Outlet Pipe

  Above Outlet Pipe

  Below Outlet Pipe

• The tank may be leaking.

• The pipe may be blocked.

• Does the scum layer look like living, healthy soil?

  Yes

  No

• The floating scum layer in a septic tank is composed of oil, fat, soap scum, hair, and even paper products like facial tissues that float before they sink. The scum layer forms naturally and acts as an internal lid for the contents of the septic tank that keeps air out. This allows bacteria to thrive and break down waste in the tank.

• Is the scum layer well below lid opening?

  Yes

  No

• Can you clearly see baffles above the scum layer?

  Yes

  No

• Baffles are septic tank components that slow wastewater entry sufficiently to ensure the distillation of solids, and prevent their release (as well as the release of scum) into the drainfield. In doing so, they protect the absorptive quality of the soil and prolong the life of the septic system as a whole.

• Are baffles free of clogs and leaks around the seals? (If concrete—Is it intact and not corroded?)

  Yes

  No

• Did you clean the outlet baffle filter?

  Yes

  No

Scum and Sludge Measurements

Scum

• Inlet scum

• Outlet scum

• Total scum height (in inches)

Sludge

• Inlet sludge

• Outlet sludge

• Total sludge height (in inches)

• Does your tank need pumping?

  Yes

  No

• Septic tank pumping is required when the total scum height is more than 6 inches, the total sludge height is more than 12 inches, and the total scum and sludge exceeds 18 inches.

• System Type

  Gravity Drainfield

  Pressurized Drainfield

  Sandfilter Drainfield

  Mound

Gravity Drainfield Septic System

• Are there no strong odors?

  Yes

  No

• Are there no mushy or swampy areas or surfacing effluent (liquid wastewater)?

  Yes

  No

• Is there no standing water inside the inspection port(s)?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Does the system have a distribution box?

  Yes

  No

• Is it accessible?

  Yes

  No

• Is the distribution box free of solid waste, scum, and clogs?

  Yes

  No

• Is the distribution box free from cracks and leaks?

  Yes

  No

• Does the effluent appear to be flowing evenly into all drain pipes?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

Pressurized Drainfield Pump Tank

• Are there no strong odors?

  Yes

  No

• Are there no mushy or swampy areas or surfacing effluent (liquid wastewater)?

  Yes

  No

• If inspection ports are present, is there no standing water after 2 hours?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Is the riser water tight and free of cracks and damage?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Is the pump tank free of solids?

  Yes

  No

• Is the pump tank free from corrosion or damage?

  Yes

  No

• Is the electrical junction box intact and free of corrosion and damage to the wires?

  Yes

  No

• Is the control panel free of leaks, corrosion or loose wires?

  Yes

  No

• Did you change the battery in the control panel?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Are the floats attached to the float tree and not hung up on anything?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Does the alarm sound when the alarm float is lifted?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• If there’s a basket screen present, is it intact and not collapsed?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

Sandfilter Drainfield Pump Tank

• Are there no strong odors?

  Yes

  No

• Are there no mushy or swampy areas or surfacing effluent (liquid wastewater)?

  Yes

  No

• If inspection ports are present, is there no standing water after 2 hours?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Is the riser water tight and free of cracks and damage?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Is the pump tank free of solids?

  Yes

  No

• Is the pump tank free from corrosion or damage?

  Yes

  No

• Is the electrical junction box intact and free of corrosion and damage to the wires?

  Yes

  No

• Is the control panel free of leaks, corrosion or loose wires?

  Yes

  No

• Did you change the battery in the control panel?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Are the floats attached to the float tree and not hung up on anything?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Does the alarm sound when the alarm float is lifted?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• If there’s a basket screen present, is it intact and not collapsed?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

Mound System Pump Tank

• Are there no strong odors?

  Yes

  No

• Are there no mushy or swampy areas or surfacing effluent (liquid wastewater)?

  Yes

  No

• If inspection ports are present, is there no standing water after 2 hours?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Is the riser water tight and free of cracks and damage?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Is the pump tank free of solids?

  Yes

  No

• Is the pump tank free from corrosion or damage?

  Yes

  No

• Is the electrical junction box intact and free of corrosion and damage to the wires?

  Yes

  No

• Is the control panel free of leaks, corrosion or loose wires?

  Yes

  No

• Did you change the battery in the control panel?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Are the floats attached to the float tree and not hung up on anything?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• Does the alarm sound when the alarm float is lifted?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

• If there’s a basket screen present, is it intact and not collapsed?

  Yes

  No

  Not Present

After the Inspection

• Are all openings covered and lids secured?

  Yes

  No

• Are all tools washed and sanitized?

  Yes

  No

• Are septic system maintenance records updated?

  Yes

  No

Completion

• Additional Comments

• Corrective actions have been assigned and inspections have been scheduled.

• Inspector Name & Signature

  Sign
Other Inspector

• Name & Signature

  Sign