Septic Pumper Business & Trucks

In San Mateo County, all persons who engage in pumping or cleaning or engage in the business of pumping or cleaning of onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS; septic systems), holding tanks, or portable toilets, or removing other accumulations of septage, or dispose of the cleanings thereof, must have a current certification from Environmental Health Services as described in the Onsite Systems Manual.

In addition to permitting the septic pumper businesses, each pumper vehicle operating within San Mateo County must be inspected by Environmental Health Services annually based on criteria in the Onsite Systems Manual, and must bear a current Environmental Health Services Vehicle Identification Permit, unique to each vehicle.

How to Apply for a Permit

You can apply for a septic permit, pay invoices, and manage your permits online using MyEHS.

If you’re unable to apply online with MyEHS, you can download and complete the Septic Pumper Trucks and Business PDF application here (see Downloadable Applications Forms Section).

Payments cannot be made to or accepted by inspectors. Payments must be made in person at the Environmental Health Services office, by mail, by phone at (650) 372-6200, or online through the MyEHS Portal.

Septic Pumper Truck Spill Guidelines

While sewage spills are infrequent, it’s important to have procedures in place in the event of a spill. Raw sewage contains biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that can cause serious illness or death. If a sewage spill occurs, proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures must be followed to protect public health. This guide provides a list of cleanup materials and procedures to mitigate a spill.

Septic Pumper Truck Spill Kit Materials

Procedures for Domestic Wastewater and Sewage Spill Cleanup

• If the spill occurred in an area accessible to the public or domestic pets, the contaminated area must be clearly marked or cordoned off to restrict access. Keep children and bystanders away from cleanup activities.
• Wear protective clothing (rubber/latex gloves, rubber boots, and protective eyewear) when cleaning up a sewage or wastewater spill. Dispose of gloves and wash rubber boots before leaving the spill site.
• If the spilled material can’t be recovered using hand tools, a commercial vacuum/pump truck should be called to remove all visible liquid and solid material.
• Do not mix cleaning/disinfecting products or chemicals. Cleaning products can react with one another to produce toxic vapors or liquids.
• When the area is visibly clean (all solids and liquids have been removed), sanitize the area using a chlorine bleach or hydrated lime (if near a waterway) solution.Bleach: Make a 5% solution by mixing 3/4 cup chlorine bleach with each gallon of water. Bleach is a caustic material and is dangerous to handle and apply, use caution.

  Lime: If the spill occurred in a heavily populated area, within 100 feet of surface water, or odor may persist after cleanup, hydrated lime should be applied to the area in place of chlorine bleach unless aluminum is present. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for use to raise the pH of the area to at least 12 for one hour. The application of a lime solution should be completed by an experienced individual. Excess lime must be removed before leaving the cleanup site. Hydrated lime is a caustic material and is dangerous to handle and apply, use caution.

• 24 hours after the chlorine solution or hydrated lime has been applied and any residual removed, access to the area can be restored.