Plenty of homes around Huntsville sit past the end of the sewer main. Out toward Hazel Green, Meridianville, New Market, Harvest, Owens Cross Roads and Gurley, over in Athens, Ardmore and Elkmont, and down around Guntersville, Arab, Albertville and Boaz, a buried tank and a drain field in the yard do the job a city sewer does in town. When that system needs pumping, starts acting up, or has to be checked before a sale, this site lays out what is involved and gets you on the phone with a licensed septic contractor who works your part of the Tennessee Valley.
Who is allowed to do septic work in Alabama
Two state bodies split the job. The Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board (AOWB) licenses the people: anyone who pumps, installs, services or repairs onsite wastewater systems has to hold a current AOWB license, or have a licensed person in responsible charge of the company. There are separate licenses for pumpers and for installers, and installers come in three levels (Basic, Advanced Level I and Advanced Level II) depending on how complicated the system is. Every license runs for one calendar year and expires December 31.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) writes the rules for the systems themselves, and your county health department applies them: it issues the Permit to Install or Repair, inspects the work before it is covered, and issues the Approval for Use. In Madison County that office is the health department on Max Luther Drive in Huntsville; Limestone County's is in Athens and Marshall County's is in Guntersville. The permit walkthrough covers how that process runs.
What people usually call about
| What you're seeing | Where to start |
|---|---|
| It has been years since anyone opened the tank, or nobody knows when | Septic tank pumping |
| Slow drains, gurgling, a wet or smelly patch over the field, sewage in a tub | Septic repair |
| Buying or selling a house, or a lender asking about the system | Septic inspections |
| A panel alarm beeping, a pump tank, an aerobic or engineered system | Pump and alarm service |
| Building on a lot without sewer, or replacing a failed field | Permits in Madison, Limestone and Marshall |
Tell us the town and the trouble, and we will put you through to a licensed septic contractor. (256) 692-6131
The ground under north Alabama
Much of the valley floor is red clay weathered out of limestone, and the limestone underneath is riddled with sinkholes, springs and caves. One study of Redstone Arsenal alone mapped 1,886 sinkholes. That matters for septic: the state rules treat a sinkhole near a drain field as a serious limitation, and steep lots on the mountains around town can push a system into engineered design. The soil and sinkhole guide explains what the clay and the karst mean for a system on your lot.
Before you call, it helps to know
- The town or road, and which county the property is in.
- Whether it's a plain tank and field, or a system with a pump, a control panel or an aerobic unit.
- Roughly when it was last pumped, and whether you know where the lids are. Your county health department's Approval for Use includes a diagram of the system if you can't find them.
- What's happening right now: backup inside, alarm, odor, wet ground, or just routine service.
Prices are set by the contractor who takes the job, not by this site. Ask for the price and what it includes before anyone starts digging.
FAQ
Do you pump or repair septic systems yourselves?
No. We are an independent referral service. Your call or request goes to a licensed local septic contractor, who quotes the job and does the work.
Does a septic pumper need a license in Alabama?
Yes. The Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board licenses pumpers and installers, and the board keeps a public roster of current licensees. Ask the contractor for their AOWB license number.
Which counties does this site cover?
Madison, Limestone and Marshall counties: Huntsville, Madison, Harvest, Hazel Green, Meridianville, New Market, Owens Cross Roads, Gurley, Athens, Ardmore, Elkmont, Guntersville, Arab, Albertville and Boaz.