Septic service for Bend and Deschutes County

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us your town and what's going on with your system.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent septic company that serves your area.

3. They call you back

   They schedule the work and quote you directly.

Who is this for?

Homeowners, buyers and landlords on septic around Bend, Redmond, La Pine, Sisters and the rest of Deschutes County. Much of the county outside city sewer lines runs on septic, from rural acreage near Tumalo and Alfalfa to the thousands of lots in the south county around La Pine and Deschutes River Woods. Even inside Bend, roughly 2,800 households were still on septic as of 2018, mostly in southeast Bend.

What makes septic different in Central Oregon?

Much of Deschutes County sits on porous, pumice-derived volcanic soil that drains fast. That sounds like a good thing for a drain field, but soil that drains too quickly doesn't treat wastewater well before it reaches groundwater. In the south county, the water table can rise to within a couple of feet of the surface in low areas. Those two conditions are why so many local systems use pressure distribution, sand filters or alternative treatment technologies (ATTs) instead of a simple gravity drain field, and why those systems need regular professional maintenance.

How often should a septic tank be pumped?

Oregon DEQ recommends pumping when sludge and scum fill more than about 35 percent of the tank, which is typically every 3 to 8 years. A 1,000-gallon tank serving four people may need pumping about every 3 years. The EPA recommends a professional inspection at least every 3 years, and every year for systems with pumps, floats or other mechanical parts. Our Deschutes County septic guide covers the local rules in more detail.

What are the warning signs of a septic problem?

• Slow drains or gurgling in more than one fixture
• Sewage odors inside or near the tank or drain field
• Wet, spongy or unusually green ground over the drain field
• Sewage backing up into tubs, showers or floor drains
• An alarm going off on a pump tank, sand filter or ATT unit

If sewage is backing up into the house, stop using water and call. That's a same-day problem.

Do I have to maintain an ATT or sand filter system?

Yes. Deschutes County requires owners of ATT systems, and of sand filter and pressure distribution systems permitted since early 2014, to keep a service contract with a DEQ-certified maintenance provider for the life of the system. The system has to be inspected at least once a year, and the provider files a report with the county. When the property sells, the new owner has to take over the contract or sign a new one.

How can I keep my system healthy?

• Pump on schedule. Solids that escape the tank are what ruin drain fields.
• Spread out water use. Running several loads of laundry back to back floods the system.
• Only flush toilet paper. Wipes, grease and medications don't belong in a septic tank.
• Protect the drain field. No vehicles, livestock, firewood piles or new buildings over it.
• Keep trees back. Roots work into lines and tanks.
• Answer alarms quickly. On pressurized systems, an alarm usually means a pump or float problem that gets worse fast.
• Keep records. Note pumping dates, repairs and your system type, and keep your county permit paperwork.

What if I'm buying a home on septic?

Oregon DEQ recommends a professional septic evaluation when buying or selling a property on septic, and any evaluation must use DEQ's approved form. Ask what kind of system it is, when it was last pumped, whether it falls under the county's maintenance program, and whether the property is in southern Deschutes County, where major repairs require nitrogen-reducing systems.

What does septic work cost?

• Tank size and access. Larger tanks and buried lids take more time to pump.
• System type. Pressure distribution, sand filters and ATTs have pumps, controls and filters to service.
• What's wrong. A failed pump or float costs far less than a drain field replacement.
• Permits. Many repairs need a county onsite permit.
• Location. South county lots may require nitrogen-reducing systems for major repairs.
• Season. Frozen ground and snow make winter digging harder.

We don't quote prices ourselves. The company you're connected with sees the system and gives you an estimate.

What should I ask a septic company before hiring?

• What's your Oregon DEQ sewage disposal service license number? (Check it on DEQ's license search.)
• For ATT or sand filter systems, are you a DEQ-certified maintenance provider for my system?
• Will you locate and uncover the lids, and is that included?
• Will you check the baffles, effluent filter, pump and alarm while you're here?
• Does this repair need a county permit, and who pulls it?

Areas we cover

• Bend
• Redmond
• La Pine
• Sisters
• Deschutes River Woods

Planning ahead? Read our Deschutes County septic guide.