Septic Tank Pumping in Honolulu, HI

Frequently Asked Questions

• How often does a septic tank need pumping in Honolulu?

  Every two to four years for most households, though it depends on tank size and how many people are using it. A full-time family on a 1,000-gallon tank will need it sooner than a couple on the same tank. If drains slow down or you notice odors near the tank, it is time regardless of when it was last done.

• I live in Honolulu — why am I on septic and not the city sewer?

  Oʻahu's municipal sewer covers most of urban Honolulu, but not all of it. Properties on the edges of the network, in the valleys, and some older lots were never connected. If you have a tank, you are in one of those pockets, and the maintenance is yours rather than the city's.

• Is a septic tank affected by the 2050 cesspool deadline?

  No. Act 125 requires cesspools to be converted by 2050 — a septic tank is one of the systems people convert to. If you already have a septic system, the deadline does not apply to you. If you are unsure which you have, we can tell you during a pumping visit at no extra cost.

• Can you reach a tank on a tight Honolulu lot?

  Usually. Dense urban lots and narrow driveways are normal here and our trucks are set up for it. Long hose runs, a buried lid, or a tank well behind the house all take longer, which is why the estimate moves — we will tell you before we start, not after.