Frequently asked
Port Alberni Septic FAQ
Port Alberni Septic installs, repairs and maintains septic systems for property owners across the Alberni Valley. Below are the questions we get asked most — what a system costs, the difference between a Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 system, what permits your job needs, and how often to pump your tank.
- How much does a septic system cost in Port Alberni?
- A new septic system in Port Alberni typically runs from about $18,000 for a Type 1 system to $45,000 or more for a Type 2 system. A Type 3 system is a custom quote, since it's built to an engineer's or geoscientist's design. We confirm your price after a free on-site visit and a look at your soil.
- What's the difference between a Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 system?
- A Type 1 system treats sewage with a septic tank and a dispersal field. A Type 2 system adds treatment so the effluent comes in under 45 mg/L suspended solids and 45 mg/L five-day biochemical oxygen demand. A Type 3 system goes further, under 10 mg/L on both plus a fecal coliform limit. We install all three, and we design Type 1 and Type 2 systems ourselves.
- Do I need a permit for septic work in Port Alberni?
- For a new system, or a major repair like replacing the tank or the drain field, yes — Island Health needs a filing before we start and a signed certification within 30 days of finishing, in the city and in every Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District electoral area alike. Pump-outs and minor repairs don't need one. A separate building permit may also apply — the City of Port Alberni and the Regional District each charge $100 for one. We handle the paperwork on both.
- How often should I get my tank pumped out?
- Most homes need a pump-out every few years. We check your tank's condition and your effluent filter at the same visit, and tell you the schedule that fits your household.
- What's the difference between a compliance and a performance inspection?
- A compliance inspection typically supports a building permit application. A performance inspection is typically used during a property sale, so a buyer or seller knows the system's condition. We do both, and either one comes with a written report.
- Can I repair my own septic system?
- Not on your own. All repairs and maintenance have to be done by, or supervised by, an authorized person — a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner or a professional. You can build your own system, but an authorized person still has to design it, file the paperwork and supervise the construction.
- What areas does Port Alberni Septic serve?
- Port Alberni Septic works in Port Alberni, Sproat Lake, Beaver Creek and Cherry Creek, across the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. We size and file every system for the property it's going on, whether it's in the city or out in an electoral area.
- What are the signs a septic system is failing?
- Slow-draining sinks, showers and tubs are usually the first sign. Left long enough, a failing system shows up as sewage ponding on the surface of your yard. You're required by law to fix a failing system as soon as possible, and we can come out to take a look.
- Are septic tank additives worth using?
- No. Additives have no proven benefit for a septic system, and in some cases they can do more harm than good. Regular pump-outs and keeping vegetables and sprinkler lines off the drain field do far more for your system's life.
- Are you a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner?
- Yes. We're a ROWP registered with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians Association of BC, and we carry WorkSafeBC coverage. Every job we design or install comes with the filing and the sign-off Island Health requires.
- Can you install a Type 3 system?
- Yes. We install Type 3 systems built to a professional's design — an engineer or a geoscientist designs it, and we build it exactly to that design. A Type 3 system is a custom quote rather than a standard price range, since every design is different.
Ready for a quote on septic in Port Alberni?
We provide free on-site quotes across the Alberni Valley.