Aerobic septic system service in the Oklahoma City area

Septic pumping, aerobic service and repair help across Oklahoma, Cleveland and Canadian counties(405) 546-2064

An aerobic system is the one with sprinkler heads in the lawn and a control box on a post or the side of the house. It treats wastewater harder than a plain septic tank by blowing air through it, then disinfects it and sprays or drips it over a set area of the yard. It works on tight clay where lateral lines struggle, but it has an air pump, a chlorinator, a pump, floats and an alarm, and every one of those can quit.

The parts, in the order water moves through them

Oklahoma's rule for aerobic systems (OAC 252:641-10) spells out the train:

Trash tank. At least 300 gallons or one day's flow, whichever is bigger. Solids settle here, and it's the tank that fills with sludge and needs pumping.
Aerobic treatment unit. Certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 40. Air keeps the bacteria working; the water leaving it must be clear enough to see the bottom of a full pump tank.
Disinfection. Required whenever the water will be sprayed. With chlorine, the pump tank has to hold a free chlorine residual of at least 0.2 mg/l.
Pump tank. At least 700 gallons, with a float that keeps it from going past half full and a high-water alarm that trips if it does.
Spray or drip field. Spray systems use at least two heads, keep the stream low (no more than a 15-degree trajectory, no misting), and run on a timer between 1:00 and 6:00 a.m. Drip fields need a filter and buried tubing eight to ten inches deep.

The two-year rule, and what happens after

When an aerobic system is installed in Oklahoma, the installer must maintain it for two years at no added cost. During that window they repair broken parts and, at least every six months, measure sludge in the trash tank, test chlorine in the pump tank on spray systems, run a clarity test, and give you a written note of each visit. The exception is damage the owner caused, such as heavy water use, things flushed that shouldn't be, or a mower through a sprinkler head that was sitting properly.

After two years, the rule puts maintenance on the owner, who either does it or hires someone. That's the point where many people discover their system hasn't been looked at in a while. If you bought a house with an aerobic unit, ask the seller for the installer's visit notes.

Ring this number and we put you through to a DEQ-licensed septic outfit that works your part of the metro. (405) 546-2064

Common calls, and what they usually mean

Symptom	Likely cause
Alarm light or buzzer	Pump tank over half full: a failed pump, a stuck float, a tripped breaker, or simply more water than the system can handle that day.
Sprinklers never seem to run	Timer, pump or float problem. Remember they're supposed to run between 1 and 6 a.m., so you may just be asleep for it.
Cloudy or smelly spray water	The air pump has stopped, the chlorinator is empty, or the trash tank is overdue for pumping and solids are carrying through.
Wet ground or runoff from the spray area	Heads stuck, broken or turned; the rule says spray must be adjusted to prevent runoff.
Quiet unit that used to hum	Air pump failure. Without air, the unit stops treating properly.

Practical habits

Use only the disinfectant tablets the manufacturer approves for your chlorinator, and ask your service tech before switching.
Flag the sprinkler heads so mowers and vehicles miss them.
Don't cut power to the unit to quiet a noise; without the air pump running, it stops treating.
Have the trash tank pumped on schedule. See septic tank pumping.

For an alarm that won't clear or sewage coming back into the house, go to septic repair. To see what parts and service calls typically involve price-wise, see the cost guide.

Frequently asked

Who maintains a new aerobic system in Oklahoma?

The installer, for the first two years after installation, at no extra charge, except for damage the owner caused. After that the owner is responsible for keeping it running or hiring someone to.

Why does my aerobic system spray at night?

Oklahoma's rule requires spray irrigation to be controlled by a timer and to run daily between 1:00 and 6:00 a.m. If you see it spraying in the afternoon, the timer needs a look.

Can I turn the alarm off?

You can usually silence the buzzer, but the light means the pump tank is over half full. Cut back on water use and get it checked before the tank overflows.

Talk to a septic contractor who covers your road

This line routes to independent local septic businesses, not to us doing the work. The contractor quotes and does the job. Toilets backing up or sewage in the yard? Quit using water in the house and phone now.