Septic pumping, inspections and repairs in Thurston County

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us where you are and what's going on with your system.

2. We connect you

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

3. They call you back

   You get pricing and scheduling directly from the company doing the work.

Who uses this site?

Homeowners, buyers and sellers across Thurston County who rely on a septic system rather than city sewer. Much of central Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater is sewered, but homes on the peninsulas, around the lakes and across the rural south county treat their own wastewater. When one of those systems needs pumping, an inspection or a repair, you need a company that knows the county's rules and actually serves your road.

What does Thurston County require of septic owners?

Thurston County runs an operations and maintenance program for on-site sewage systems. Owners are responsible for inspections on the schedule the county sets, and septic professionals file their reports in the county's online database, where you can look up past reports for your property. Your renewal notice tells you when you're due and which kind of inspection applies.

Some homeowners can get certified to inspect their own qualifying systems. Starting January 1, 2026, the county requires those self-inspectors to also get a satisfactory report from a certified septic professional every nine years. There are also rules for when a property changes hands, so buyers and sellers should ask about the septic inspection early. Our Thurston County septic guide covers the details and links to the county's own pages.

How often does a tank need pumping?

There isn't one schedule for every home. The county's guidance is to pump when an inspection shows the sludge and scum layers are thick enough to need it. How fast that happens depends on the size of the tank, the number of people in the house, garbage disposal use and what goes down the drains. Many households pump every few years; a busy house with a small tank may need it sooner. A septic professional measures the layers and tells you where you stand.

Why do septic problems show up in winter here?

Western Washington's rainy season raises groundwater and saturates the soil around drain fields. A system that barely keeps up in August can struggle in January, so slow drains, gurgling and soggy spots over the drain field often appear between November and March. If your tank is close to full, pump it in the drier months, when lids are easier to reach and trucks won't rut a wet lawn.

Signs you should call now

• Sewage backing up into a tub, shower or floor drain
• A pump or high-water alarm that won't stay off
• Toilets and drains slow throughout the house
• Gurgling from drains
• Sewage odor near the tank or in the yard
• Wet ground or unusually green grass over the drain field

If sewage is coming into the house, stop running water and call rather than sending a form.

What affects the price of septic work?

Pumping cost depends mostly on tank size, how many compartments it has, how hard the lids are to reach and whether they're buried. Repairs depend on which part failed and how much digging it takes. Drain field work and new systems depend on your soil, the system type the site needs and the county permit. We don't quote prices ourselves; the company you're connected with gives you a quote after hearing about your system.

Is pumping the same as an inspection?

No. An inspection checks the whole system: the tank's sludge and scum levels, baffles, lids, pumps and alarms, and the drain field. Pumping empties the tank. An inspection often tells you whether pumping is needed, and many companies do both on the same visit. If your county renewal is due, book an inspection. If drains are backing up, ask for pumping and a look at the tank while it's open.

What should you ask a septic company before hiring?

• Are you certified by Thurston County for the work you're doing, and will you file the report?
• Can you show a current Washington contractor registration and insurance?
• Is the quote for pumping only, or does it include finding and digging out the lids?
• Will you check the baffles and outlet while the tank is open?
• If something needs repair, will you explain it and give a written estimate before starting?
• Does this job need a county permit, and who pulls it?

A good company answers these without hesitation. If you're buying a home, ask for the inspection report in writing and look up the system's past reports yourself.

Waterfront and shellfish areas

Thurston County's inlets support commercial shellfish beds, and failing septic systems are one of the pollution sources the county and state track. The Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach shellfish protection district was set up in 2001 after shellfish areas were downgraded because of bacterial pollution. Within its marine recovery areas, septic owners pay an annual charge that funds extra monitoring and programs such as septic riser rebates. Keeping a shoreline system maintained protects the water as well as your property value.

Areas we cover

• Olympia
• Lacey
• Tumwater
• Yelm
• Tenino
• Rochester

Planning ahead? Read our Thurston County septic guide.