What to Expect During Construction
 
The crushing and filling of the septic tank may be performed by the homeowner or a registered septic tank contractor or a Florida state-licensed plumber with the equipment necessary to properly do the work. A licensed contractor must do the pumping to empty it because a septic tank has the potential to pose health risks to the homeowner and the public.

  • The homeowner may obtain the required permit through the Sarasota County Health Department and then get bids from approved contractors, or the contractor can obtain the permit on the homeowner's behalf.
  • A licensed plumber or the homeowner may install the pipe that connects the house with the central sewer system.
  • The septic tank abandonment is inspected by the Health Department and the connection is inspected by the county.

 The homeowner's plumber installs piping from the vacuum valve pit to the house.
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   An air intake is necessary to provide air to the system. At this property, the homeowner's plumber obscured the air intake from view in a landscaped bed near the house.
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Information is subject to change.
Septic Tank Abandonment
When I get sewer, what happens to my septic tank?

It must be properly abandoned. There are now two choices: crush it or use it as a cistern. On June 23, 2009 a new procedure was created to allow homeowners to convert their old septic tank into a cistern. Call the Health Department at 941-861-6133 and ask for the onsite wastewater section for details or click here to read Frequently Asked Question Regarding Septic Abandonments.

Who can do the work?

The homeowner or a licensed plumber/septic contractor may crush and fill the tank. The pumping, however, must be done by a contractor. The permit can be obtained at the Sarasota County complex at 1301 Cattlemen Rd., Building A, Sarasota or the Health Department south office at 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL.

How is it done?

 The contractor will pump out the tank. Then it will be crushed and filled with clean sand. If the homeowner wants to use it as a cistern, a permit is still required and the tank must be pumped out by a licensed pumper, cleaned and sanitized. Details are available by calling 941-861-6133 and asking for the onsite wastewater section at the Health Department.
Contact Us
Call Customer Service at 941-861-6790 
Customer Service Hours:

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday
Sarasota County Utilities
1001 Sarasota Center Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34240
E-mail us at SarasotaSewers@scgov.net