Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Human Advantage 62%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.8 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.
Also Known As: Aseptic Tech (Aseptic Technician), Drain Cleaner, Drain Technician, Drain and Sewer Technician, Electric Sewer Cleaning Machine Operator, High Reach Operator, Pipe Cleaning Machine Operator, Priming Machine Operator +19 more
Core Tasks
- Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.
- Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.
- Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.
- Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
- Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.
- Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
- Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.
- Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
- Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
- Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.
Supplemental Tasks (12)
- Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.
- Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.
- Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.
- Rotate cleaning rods manually, using turning pins.
- Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.
- Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings, stopping machines and changing knives to conform to pipe sizes.
- Update sewer maps and manhole charts.
- Cover repaired pipes with dirt, and pack backfilled excavations, using air and gasoline tampers.
- Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.
- Requisition or order tools and equipment.
- Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels.
- Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.
Emerging Tasks
New and evolving responsibilities for this role:
- Pump, clean, and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
Education & Training
Job Zone 1 Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
Education: Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Experience: Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (7)
Tools & Equipment (27)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Utilities Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 1
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners You are here
Zone 2
Recycling and Reclamation Workers 78% match
Zone 4
Zone 5
Architectural and Engineering Managers 72% match
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