Septic service around Prescott Valley

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us where the property is and what's going on with the septic system.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent septic company that works in western Yavapai County.

3. They call you back

   They schedule the visit and quote the work directly.

Who is this for?

Homeowners, buyers, sellers and builders whose property runs on an on-site wastewater system, the term Arizona uses for a septic system. Around the Quad Cities that usually means Chino Valley, Dewey-Humboldt, the outlying and unincorporated parts of Prescott Valley, and homes on the edges of Prescott. The Town of Prescott Valley runs its own sewer utility, and much of the town's core is connected to it, so many in-town homes won't need us. If you're not sure which you have, look at your utility bill for a sewer charge, or ask Yavapai County Development Services whether there's a septic permit on file for your parcel. The county says it doesn't keep sewer records, so for sewer questions you'll need to ask your town or utility.

How common is septic around here?

Very common once you leave the town centers. A 2010 report in Pumper magazine put Yavapai County at about 60,000 septic systems, roughly 6,000 of them alternative systems. Chino Valley's own water staff count about 9,000 exempt private wells in and within three miles of town, a good sign of how many homes there sit on acreage outside any utility network. In Dewey-Humboldt, the town says residential lots are typically larger than half an acre, and most are 1.6 acres or more.

What does Arizona require when a home on septic is sold?

A transfer of ownership inspection. Under ADEQ rule R18-9-A316, the seller has to have the system inspected by a qualified inspector within six months before the transfer, and the tank has to be pumped as part of it unless one of a few narrow exceptions applies. The seller gives the buyer the inspection report, and the buyer files a Notice of Transfer within 15 calendar days after closing. In Yavapai County that notice goes through the county's online permit portal. More on transfer inspections.

How often should a septic tank be pumped?

The EPA says household tanks are typically pumped every three to five years and that a typical system should be inspected at least every three years. Systems with pumps, float switches or other mechanical parts, which includes many alternative systems, generally need a yearly check. The right interval for your tank depends on its size, how many people live in the house and how much water you use, so ask the company to measure the sludge and scum layers and recommend a schedule.

Why is the ground here hard on septic systems?

• Shallow soil and caliche. The University of Arizona's soil survey of the county describes Chino Valley soils as averaging about two feet deep over a gray-white, semi-impervious caliche layer. Wastewater needs enough soil under the disposal field to soak in and be treated.
• Rock. On hillside and foothill lots, rock close to the surface can limit where a disposal field can go and how deep it can be dug.
• Monsoon downpours. The same survey notes that Prescott-area precipitation is abundant mainly from early July through mid-September. Heavy summer storms can saturate a disposal field or send runoff across it.
• Wells nearby. Many rural homes have a private well on the same lot or the next one over. Chino Valley's water staff point to Chino Meadows, where the density of septic systems led to contamination and homes were required to hook up to sewer.
• Skipped pumping. Solids that build up in the tank eventually wash into the disposal field, and that's far harder to fix than the tank.

Warning signs

• Slow drains or gurgling in more than one fixture
• Sewage backing up into tubs, showers or a floor drain
• Wet, spongy ground or standing water over the disposal field in dry weather
• Sewage odors near the tank or field
• An alarm light or buzzer on an alternative system

Building on raw land?

Most new septic systems in the county are permitted by Yavapai County Development Services' Environmental Unit, which handles conventional and alternative systems up to 24,000 gallons per day on ADEQ's behalf. The process starts with a site investigation, and the soil and site conditions found there decide whether a conventional system will work or an alternative treatment system is needed. More on new septic systems.

Are you a septic company?

No. Prescott Valley Septic Pros is a referral service. We connect you with an independent septic company that serves your address, and that company quotes, performs and stands behind the work. Read our tips for hiring a septic company and the Yavapai County septic guide before you hire anyone.

Areas we cover

• Chino Valley
• Dewey-Humboldt
• Rural Prescott Valley
• Prescott outskirts

Planning ahead? Read our Yavapai County septic guide.