Septic Pumping Near Me: Find Your County, Your Health District and Its Pumper List

Septic pumping rules follow the county where the parcel sits. Spokane County uses the Spokane Regional Health District list of permitted pumpers. Stevens, Pend Oreille and Ferry counties use the Northeast Tri County Health District list of certified pumpers. Idaho pumpers hold a DEQ permit.

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Last reviewed: October 26, 2026

Step 1: find the county of the parcel

A mailing address and a county can disagree. Deer Park is the clearest example in this region: the city is in Spokane County, and nearby addresses are in Stevens County, so two neighbors can answer to different health districts. Use the county assessor's parcel search or the district to confirm. The county decides the health district, the lists and the fees.

Step 2: use the county table

Step 3: check the pumper list

In Spokane County, SRHD publishes a list of permitted pumpers and says it is for informational purposes only. In NETCHD counties, the district's septic contractors page links to certified pumpers, installers, design professionals and operation and maintenance providers, and says the list names companies with certified professionals on staff. NETCHD's fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 lists a pumper certification, a renewal with annual meeting attendance and a truck inspection.

In Idaho, IDAPA 58.01.03 section 050 requires anyone operating septic tank pumping equipment to obtain a DEQ permit and renew it each year, with applications due before March 1. The truck must carry an assigned number on its door. DEQ publishes pumper information on its septic page. Check the date of any list you use, and compare it with the district.

Idaho's Public Records Act, section 74-120, generally prevents a public agency from distributing a list of persons for use as a mailing list or a telephone number list without the permission of those on the list. If a list carries that kind of notice, use it to look up a company, not to build a mailing list.

Step 4: ask the right questions

The Department of Health suggests asking any sewage pumper:

Add a few of your own: is the truck marked with the business name, which district approved it, and will you give me a written record with the date, quantity and disposal location? Washington requires pumpers to record and report septage removal under WAC 246-272A-0310.

What a good result looks like

A good pump-out leaves a written record. It says both compartments were pumped, notes the scum and sludge levels, the condition of the baffles and filter, and the lid situation. It names the company and the date and says where the contents went. The record goes in the permit file. See septic tank pumping for what is removed and septic inspection for what an inspection adds.

If you cannot find your tank

Ask the district for the record drawing before the visit. SRHD takes record drawing requests by parcel number and street address, and the Department of Health says the district may have a permit that includes a map. See finding your septic tank and risers and lids.

Local pages

Each county has a page with rules and lists for its places. Spokane County: Spokane, Deer Park, Elk and Chattaroy. Stevens and Pend Oreille: Colville, Chewelah, Newport. North Idaho: Coeur d'Alene, Rathdrum, Sandpoint, Priest River, Bonners Ferry.

Cost

Prices differ by tank size, lid depth and distance, which matters on rural roads. The pumping cost guide lists general ranges from third-party sources with dates and explains what changes them. This site does not quote prices.

Reasons to trust this page

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a septic pumper near me?

Start with the county of the parcel. Spokane County uses SRHD's permitted pumper list. Stevens, Pend Oreille and Ferry counties use NETCHD's certified pumper list. In Idaho, pumpers hold DEQ permits. The districts say they do not endorse the companies on their lists, so compare at least three, as the Department of Health suggests.

Which health district covers my address?

The county of the parcel decides. Spokane County is SRHD. Stevens, Pend Oreille and Ferry counties are NETCHD. Kootenai, Bonner and Boundary counties in Idaho are served by the Panhandle Health District under DEQ rules. A Deer Park mailing address can fall in Spokane or Stevens County.

Does a septic pumper need approval?

Yes. In Washington, WAC 246-272A-0340 requires pumpers to be approved by the local health officer before working in a jurisdiction. In Idaho, IDAPA 58.01.03 section 050 requires a DEQ permit renewed each year. Ask for the district or DEQ approval, and check the current list.

What should I ask a septic pumper?

The Department of Health suggests asking the estimated cost, whether it includes health department fees, whether both sides or chambers are pumped, whether there is an extra charge to dig up lids, and whether the tank is inspected. Ask for a written record with the date, quantity pumped and disposal location.

Can I use a district list to build a mailing list?

Idaho's Public Records Act, section 74-120, generally bars using a list of persons prepared by an agency as a mailing or telephone number list without the permission of those on the list. Use pumper lists to look up a company, and check any notice printed on the list itself.

Sources

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