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Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

The occupation Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners covers people who clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. O*NET rates it as some preparation, which usually means a few months to a year of learning on the job. It leans on operation and control, operations monitoring, and critical thinking. A regular part of the work is to communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones. The strongest interest signal is Realistic (7.0 of 7), then Conventional (4.3) and Investigative, which gives it the code RCI. People who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

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.

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Troubleshooting
  • Time Management
  • Repairing

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on operation and control and operations monitoring.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCI takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Drain Cleaner
  • Drain Technician
  • Public Works Technician
  • Septic Cleaner
  • Septic Pump Truck Driver

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.