That Septic Girl

09/09/2026

The owners bought this lot in a small lake community to build a weekend retreat. They were told all the utilities were already here. I guess they were, in the barest sense. Lol.

It appears the bathroom was built right over the septic tank but there was also an outhouse I wish I would have gotten a picture of - no hole dug under it, just a cutout opening in a shack 2’ above the ground.

This project will have a lot of challenges - the road is so tight we won’t be able to get trucks or trailers down to it so everything will have to be carried in on a pickup or by excavator. Once we’re there, fitting everything on the lot will be another challenge.

Luckily, the homeowner knows it’s going to be tight so they are planning to install the septic before construction starts.

In case you were wondering, it’s hot as hell and I was sweating like a fat guy after dinner by the time I got back in the AC.

09/09/2026

P**pcrete? Using biochar in concrete is an interesting way to deal with waste!

Wait, what?

09/05/2026

Summer heat means lots of air pumps getting rebuilt.

Keep the filter clean and the grass trimmed so airflow isn’t blocked to help extend its life!

09/04/2026

This Oklahoma drought is getting ridiculous. You can’t find water anywhere. Even the septic tank dried out. 😂

09/04/2026

Second night in a row I’ve knocked out our website with a plugin. At least I know which one is doing it now. Thank god for automatic backups. 😅

09/03/2026

I think this is an older Hydro-Action tank but I can't find anything to confirm. Anyone recognize the diffuser style and know where I can get replacements?

09/03/2026

Several people have reached out to ask if it was one of our trucks involved in this accident since it was a few miles from our office. I appreciate the concern but it was not ours.

We do know both the owners and the driver well and I can’t imagine what any of those involved or their families are going through. Please keep them all in your thoughts and be safe out there!

09/03/2026

This school reached out for help because they don’t have the money to repair the TWELVE septic systems they have!

I helped them file for a technical assistance grant last year through NOWRA and we are now starting the long process of identifying all their needs, finding additional grant money for repairs and writing a maintenance manual.

This leaking line under their bus parking area was one of the first issues identified!

It’s going to be a long, slow process but I love this kind of work. Anyone can dig a hole and set a tank.

If you live in or represent a small community with wastewater challenges, reach out to Cyclone Septic & Plumbing or a local NOWRA affiliate and ask for help. The training & technical assistance grant won’t pay for the repairs but it will be the first step in identifying the scope of the problem and getting a plan in place to make repairs.

09/02/2026

What do you carry in your packout that may seem weird but has a perfectly valid reason?

I can’t be the only septic person or plumber that prepares for the inevitable.

09/01/2026

This is a good time to remind everyone, sewage lines are generally not locatable. And while we’re discussing it, nothing after the meter is located by 811. This includes your irrigation lines, any service lines to outbuildings or any lines from the meter to your house.

If you’re having work done, take pictures of the lines while they are uncovered, draw them on a property site map and/or have tracer line installed so it can be located later.