Septic Care and Maintenance in Ben Lomond

Common local issues

What Ben Lomond homeowners call about

• Former cabins running full-time households on small, older tanks
• Buried lids with no riser, so nobody has checked the tank in years
• Effluent filters that clog and back up into the house
• Leach fields close to the river that stay wet through winter

Since July 1, 2023, Santa Cruz County requires a septic tank inspection report and a seller and buyer disclosure when rural property on septic is sold (County Code 7.38.216). The pumping report must be less than 12 months old at close of escrow and include a leach field flow test of at least 250 gallons. Lid, riser, filter and pump fixes are minor maintenance and do not need a county permit. A failing tank or field must be repaired under a permit from County Environmental Health.

FAQ

Quick answers

How often should a septic tank in Ben Lomond be pumped?

Santa Cruz County Environmental Health recommends pumping every 5 to 10 years, depending on how many people live in the home, water use, and whether you have a garbage disposal. A converted cabin with a small tank and a full household usually lands on the shorter end. Pumping must be done by a county registered liquid waste hauler. We do not pump tanks, but we can check the tank, filter and lids and tell you whether it is due.

What does the county require when I sell a Ben Lomond home on septic?

Since July 1, 2023, the seller needs a septic tank inspection report and a disclosure form signed by seller and buyer before close of escrow. The pumping report must be less than 12 months old and include a flow test of the leach field using at least 250 gallons. Homes on public sewer, systems installed under permit in the last 5 years, and systems repaired under permit in the last 3 years are exempt. Starting early gives you time to fix lids, risers or filters before the report.

Do I need a permit to fix my septic system?

Not for minor maintenance. County Environmental Health lists lids, risers, tees, sewer tightlines, pumps, valves and electrical parts as work that does not need a permit. Replacing a failed tank or leach field does need a permit. We hold California C-36 plumbing and C-42 sanitation licenses, which are among the license types the county accepts for septic installers.

When should I call about my Ben Lomond septic system?

Call if drains run slow throughout the house, toilets gurgle, you smell sewage outside, or the ground over the tank or field stays soggy when it has not rained. Call before listing the home too, so small problems are fixed before the sale inspection.