Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

What the job really is

Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.

At a glance

• Sector: Construction & Extraction
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-4071
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.
• Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.
• Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.
• Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
• Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.
• Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
• Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.
• Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
• Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
• Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.
• Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.
• Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.

Tools and technology

Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Air hammers, Air tampers, Bucket machines, Caulk dispensing tools, Claw hammers, Dirt shovels, End pipe wrenches, Global positioning system GPS receivers, High velocity water jetters

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Pipelayers
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
• Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
• Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
• Construction Laborers
• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.