Septic Tank and Related Services
Description
Establishments in this sector specialize in the maintenance, cleaning, and environmental remediation of onsite wastewater disposal systems and portable sanitation facilities. Their primary function involves physically pumping out accumulated sludge, scum, and sewage from underground septic tanks and cesspools to prevent system failure, groundwater contamination, and foul odors. Beyond pump-out services, these businesses often provide ancillary support such as desludging, odor control, and the servicing of portable toilets used at construction sites, events, or emergency relief zones. Operators range from small family-owned contracting firms with single-unit trucks to large regional chains managing fleets of specialized equipment and multiple service locations. Many businesses employ professional drivers and technicians who are often licensed to handle hazardous materials, while some larger entities may own multiple vehicles to serve dense suburban or rural communities simultaneously. The scope of work frequently extends to inspecting tank integrity and coordinating waste removal with municipal solid waste collection facilities to ensure regulatory compliance. These services are critical infrastructure that protects public health and property values by keeping residential and commercial septic systems operational and preventing costly environmental hazards.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services sector comprises establishments performing routine support activities for the day-to-day operations of other organizations. These essential activities are often undertaken in-house by establishments in many sectors of the economy. The establishments in this sector specialize in one or more of these support activities and provide these services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. Activities performed include: office administration, hiring and placing of personnel, document preparation and similar clerical services, solicitation, collection, security and surveillance services, cleaning, and waste disposal services. The administrative and management activities performed by establishments in this sector are typically on a contract or fee basis. These activities may also be performed by establishments that are part of the company or enterprise. However, establishments involved in administering, overseeing, and managing other establishments of the company or enterprise are classified in Sector 55, Management of Companies and Enterprises. Establishments in Sector 55, Management of Companies and Enterprises, normally undertake the strategic and organizational planning and decision-making role of the company or enterprise. Government establishments engaged in administering, overseeing, and managing governmental programs are classified in Sector 92, Public Administration. |
| 562 | Waste Management and Remediation Services 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Waste Management and Remediation Services subsector group establishments engaged in the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste materials. This includes establishments engaged in local hauling of waste materials; operating materials recovery facilities (i.e., those that sort recyclable materials from the trash stream); providing remediation services (i.e., those that provide for the cleanup of contaminated buildings, mine sites, soil, or ground water); and providing septic pumping and other miscellaneous waste management services. There are three industry groups within the subsector that separate these activities into waste collection, waste treatment and disposal, and remediation and other waste management. Excluded from this subsector are establishments primarily engaged in collecting, treating, and disposing waste through sewer systems or sewage treatment facilities that are classified in Industry 22132, Sewage Treatment Facilities, and establishments primarily engaged in long-distance hauling of waste materials that are classified in Industry 48423, Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance. Also, there are some activities that appear to be related to waste management, but that are not included in this subsector. For example, establishments primarily engaged in providing waste management consulting services are classified in Industry 54162, Environmental Consulting Services. |
| 5629 | Remediation and Other Waste Management Services 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in remediation and other waste management services (except waste collection, waste treatment and disposal, and waste management consulting services). |
| 56299 | All Other Waste Management Services 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in waste management services (except waste collection, waste treatment and disposal, remediation, operation of materials recovery facilities, and waste management consulting services). Illustrative Examples: Beach cleaning and maintenance services Pumping (i.e., cleaning) cesspools, portable toilets, or septic tanks Cesspool cleaning services Sewer cleaning and rodding services Portable toilet renting and/or servicing Sewer or storm basin cleanout services |
| 562991 | Septic Tank and Related Services 6-digit U.S. detail | Establishments in this sector specialize in the maintenance, cleaning, and environmental remediation of onsite wastewater disposal systems and portable sanitation facilities. Their primary function involves physically pumping out accumulated sludge, scum, and sewage from underground septic tanks and cesspools to prevent system failure, groundwater contamination, and foul odors. Beyond pump-out services, these businesses often provide ancillary support such as desludging, odor control, and the servicing of portable toilets used at construction sites, events, or emergency relief zones. Operators range from small family-owned contracting firms with single-unit trucks to large regional chains managing fleets of specialized equipment and multiple service locations. Many businesses employ professional drivers and technicians who are often licensed to handle hazardous materials, while some larger entities may own multiple vehicles to serve dense suburban or rural communities simultaneously. The scope of work frequently extends to inspecting tank integrity and coordinating waste removal with municipal solid waste collection facilities to ensure regulatory compliance. These services are critical infrastructure that protects public health and property values by keeping residential and commercial septic systems operational and preventing costly environmental hazards. |
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Classification References
- 01Installing septic tanks--are classified in Industry 238910, Site Preparation Contractors; and
- 02Cleaning and rodding sewers and catch basins--are classified in U.S. Industry 562998, All Other Miscellaneous Waste Management Services.
Index Items
Cesspool cleaning services
Portable toilet pumping (i.e., cleaning) services
Portable toilet renting and/or servicing
Pumping (i.e., cleaning) cesspools and septic tanks
Pumping (i.e., cleaning) portable toilets
Septic tank cleaning services
Septic tank pumping (i.e., cleaning) services
Tank cleaning services, septic
Toilet renting and/or servicing, portable
How Item Can Help
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External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 562991.
National Association of Private Sewage Systems
The leading professional association for septic system design, installation, and maintenance professionals.
US EPA Septic Systems & Treatment
Official United States government resources on septic system design standards and maintenance requirements.
Septic System Professionals International
A non-profit association providing education, advocacy, and resources for the septic and wastewater treatment industry.
