Not every septic system around Huntsville runs on gravity. When the drain field sits uphill of the house, when the soil calls for a mound or a dosed field, or when a lot needs advanced treatment, there's a pump tank in the line and a control panel or alarm somewhere on the house. Those parts wear out, and the alarm tends to go off at the worst possible time. This page covers how they work and who's licensed to fix them.
What's in a pumped system
Alabama's rules set out what an effluent pump setup has to include:
- A submersible pump rated for effluent, able to pass half-inch solids in case the filter fails (or, if the engineer chose a pump that can't, protected inside a separate chamber or a filtered vault).
- An adjustable on-off float or similar switch, a full-flow shut-off valve, and a check valve so effluent can't drain back into the tank.
- A pump chamber that's watertight and has lockable or tamper-resistant covers.
- A high-water alarm on a separate electrical circuit from the pump, which can be tested.
That separate circuit is the point: if the pump's breaker trips, the alarm should still sound.
When the alarm goes off
- Cut water use in the house right away. Hold off on laundry, dishwashers and showers.
- Check whether the pump's breaker has tripped. Don't open the pump chamber or reach into it.
- Call for service. A high-water alarm means effluent is rising in the pump tank, and the tank has only limited room before it backs up or overflows.
The usual suspects a technician checks are a failed pump, a stuck or tangled float, a tripped breaker, a clogged filter or pump screen, and too much water entering the system, such as a running toilet or rain getting into the tank.
Tell us the town and the trouble, and we will put you through to a licensed septic contractor. (256) 692-6131
Which license the job needs
This is where Alabama's license levels come in. Under the AOWB rules:
| License | Pump work it covers |
|---|---|
| Pumper | Pumping tanks, lids, risers, tees and filters. Not installing pumps. |
| Basic Level Installer | Conventional and shallow-placement systems, including basic on-demand pumps |
| Advanced Level I Installer | Adds mounds, simplex pumps with timed dosing, on-demand duplex pumps, and single-family systems with secondary treatment |
| Advanced Level II Installer | Everything, including multiple-pump timed-dosing systems and large-flow systems |
The AOWB rules also say that onsite systems permitted by ADPH are not plumbing, and grinder pumps or lift stations installed as part of an onsite system need an AOWB-licensed installer. Replacing a pump counts as maintenance under the ADPH rules, so it doesn't take a repair permit, but it does take the right license.
Aerobic and engineered systems
Advanced treatment units, mounds and dosed fields have more moving parts than a plain tank and field. EPA says systems with float switches, pumps or other mechanical parts should be inspected about once a year, and a service contract is a sensible way to make sure it happens. If your system was engineered, the covenant recorded on the property (ADPH form CEP-7) may spell out maintenance you're required to keep up.
Keeping a pumped system healthy
- Have the tank pumped and the filter cleaned on schedule; a clogged filter is a frequent cause of alarms.
- Test the alarm now and then so you know it works.
- Keep roof drains and runoff away from the tanks and field.
- Note the pump and panel brand and model; it speeds up parts.
If the alarm has already turned into a backup, see septic repair. Prices for pump and panel work are set by the contractor; ask what's included before they start.
FAQ
My septic alarm is beeping. Is it an emergency?
It means effluent is high in the pump tank. Stop using water, check the pump breaker, and call for service before it backs up.
Can I silence the septic alarm?
If your panel has a silence button, it only quiets the buzzer; the water is still high. Keep water use down until the system is serviced.
Does a plumber fix septic pumps in Alabama?
Under the AOWB rules, pumps installed or maintained as part of an onsite system are not plumbing and need an AOWB-licensed installer.