What You Need to Know About Commercial Septic Tanks in Boise, ID

Whether you are building a new structure to house your business or recently purchased a commercial property with a septic system, it can be difficult knowing the ins and outs of a commercial septic system when your business is located where there is no municipal sewer system in place. It’s something that may not be discussed as frequently as residential systems, and on top of everything else that comes with running a business, can sometimes feel overwhelming. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place! At ASAP Septic, we are eager to help our friends and neighbors in Boise and southeastern ID with all things sewer and septic. 

Commercial properties that would need a commercial septic tank installation include: 

• Office buildings

• Schools

• Churches

• Restaurants

• Stores

• Manufacturing sites

• Laundromats

• Apartment complexes, condos, hotels

• Industrial buildings and warehouses

• Campgrounds

• Any other property used for a purpose beyond private use

Commercial septic tanks work identically to residential ones: wastewater from the building flows through the drain pipe into the septic tank, where debris in the wastewater settles to the bottom in a layer called sludge or floats to the top in a layer called scum. The wastewater that is now free of debris is allowed to seep back into the ground, where it is purified through layers of sediment and rock before it reaches the water table, where it reenters the water cycle. In residential septic tanks, we recommend having the tank pumped out every 2-5 years depending on usage and the amount of wastewater produced; for a business, we recommend pumping every 1-3 years. Even with the larger volume a commercial tank can hold, businesses typically produce such a high volume of wastewater that it needs to be pumped more frequently, not to mention the increased rate at which buildup occurs. And, it’s important to keep in mind that a septic emergency can be disastrous to a business! 

Although the functionality of a commercial septic tank is the same as a residential tank, there are a few key differences: 

• Larger tanks: because commercial septic systems typically serve a larger population than a residential system, they handle a higher volume of wastewater, meaning a larger tank size is a must. 

• Increased debris: commercial properties often have wastes and debris that aren’t found in a residential property, or a higher volume of them. Whether it’s fats, oils, and grease, or small pieces of debris from construction or landscaping, the septic system has to be equipped to handle whatever will be present in the wastewater. 

• More robust cleaning: due to the increased amount of sewage, septic maintenance and cleaning often requires stronger cleaners and sometimes different equipment designed to handle the larger volume. 

• Frequency of pumping: effluent--the wastewater that seeps back into the ground--of a commercial property is a much higher volume than a residential property. Pumping and cleaning out the tank more frequently can help prevent the business from having a significant negative impact on the local water source. 

We recommend consulting with a professional when making plans for your septic system; different commercial properties will have different needs based on the business. For instance, a warehouse that primarily only produces wastewater from restrooms and handwashing has significantly different needs than a restaurant, which has restrooms and handwashing, water for cooking, dishwashing, mopping, the need for a grease trap, and more. Additionally, septic tanks are only approved to handle sanitary waste, so if your business deals with industrial or automotive waste, you cannot flush these wastes, and there are certain regulations that must be followed. Consult a septic expert if this applies to your business. 

The professionals at ASAP Septic are excited to serve our clients in Boise, Middleton, Payette, Mountain Home, and areas throughout southeast Idaho as an industry leader of septic services. From commercial to residential septic services, hydro-jet services, lift station servicing, and more, we are passionate about keeping your drains and septic systems running smoothly; we understand how stressful it can be to deal with a septic emergency, and are excited to help and serve our communities here in ID with our 24-hour emergency septic services as well as our routine services. Give us a call at (208) 991-7184 for more information or to schedule a consultation today.