Septic Tank Pumping in Johnston County, NC

• Coverage includes Clayton, Cleveland, Archer Lodge, Wilson's Mills, Smithfield, Selma, Pine Level, Princeton, Kenly, Micro, Four Oaks and Benson.
• Crews run I-95, I-40, US 70, US 301, NC 42, NC 50 and NC 210 across the county.
• Other North Carolina counties on this site: Wake County, Union County and Cabarrus County.
• Before you call: have your permit or system records if you can find them; the county's Find a Septic or Well Permit search can help locate them.

• Routine pump-outs on subdivision and farm homes
• Pumping and inspection before a home sale
• Existing System Approval for additions and remodels
• Locating tanks and adding risers on newer homes
• Repairs, which the county lists as no charge to permit
• Pump tank and alarm service on low-pressure systems

• HomeGuide's published pump-out range is $300 to $700 nationally, based on $0.30 to $0.70 per gallon of tank size; a 1,000-gallon tank lands near the middle.
• County fees from the county's schedule: $600 for a system of 480 gallons a day or less, $700 above that, $250 for an upgrade or replacement, $150 for an Existing System Approval and $100 for a re-inspection.
• The county's schedule lists septic repair permits at no charge and a pump fee of $50.
• Method: HomeGuide's per-gallon range scaled to your tank, plus Johnston County's fee schedule for permits and approvals. Wet-season access and pump tanks on low-pressure systems add local cost.

• Step 1, site evaluation: for a new system, Johnston County Environmental Health evaluates the lot under 15A NCAC 18E before issuing a permit.
• Step 2, permit: the county's fee schedule lists $600 for a system of 480 gallons a day or less and $700 for a larger design.
• Step 3, private option: under G.S. 130A-335(a2), a licensed soil scientist or engineer can design the system; the county schedule lists $240 for that permit at 480 gallons or less.
• Step 4, additions: the county charges $150 for an Existing System Approval, needed before adding bedrooms or building on a lot with a septic system.
• Step 5, repairs: the county lists repair permits at no charge, so call before digging up a failing field.

• Coastal Plain and Piedmont edge: the west of the county near Clayton sits on Piedmont clay, while most of the county is sandy Coastal Plain soil with a seasonal high water table.
• USDA NRCS soil survey data rate 66.8% of the Johnston County survey area (NC101) as very limited for septic absorption fields and 31.8% somewhat limited.
• Wet soils along the Neuse River and its creeks, and a high water table in winter, are the most common reasons a site needs a low-pressure or alternative system.
• Census ACS counts about 91,218 housing units in Johnston County with a median year built of 2000, so many systems are newer, with pump tanks and alarms.
• Hurricanes and heavy rain can saturate fields; avoid pumping when the water table is high unless the system is backing up.

Clayton · Cleveland · Archer Lodge · Wilson's Mills · Smithfield · Selma · Pine Level · Princeton · Kenly · Four Oaks · Benson