Cesspools are critical for the disposal of wastewater, particularly in areas without a municipal sewer system.
Over time, cesspools can become clogged and overflow, leading to environmental and health hazards.
When this occurs, the cesspool will need to be removed to avoid these risks.
Removing a cesspool is somewhat similar to removing a septic tank and will cost anything from $2,500 – $10,000.
The exact cost will depend on the location, size, and other variables.
To keep you on the loop, let’s explore the various costs involved in removing a cesspool, including the factors that can impact the final price.
Let’s dive right in…
Cesspool Removal Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
| Inspection and Permits | $100 -$1000 |
| Labor | $1500 -$5000 |
| Disposal Fees | $100 -$800 |
| Testing Fees | $700-1800 |
Before you embark on removing your cesspool, you may want to take note of all the costs involved. These include:
1. Inspection And Permits
Some local governments require applications for permits before commencing the cesspool removal project.
In some cases, an inspection from the local authority may also be required.
The costs of inspections and permits vary from location to location but they will be in the $100 to $1,000 range.
2. Labor Costs
Labor will gobble up most of the money for the cesspool removal project.
Septic tank professionals typically charge a tidy penny and the cost goes even higher due to the machinery and equipment needed.
For instance, they will need excavation equipment as well as dumping trucks.
Labor costs will set you back anything from $1,500 to $5,000.
3. Disposal Fees
As a safety precaution, the contents of the cesspool will have to be pumped to avoid groundwater pollution.
The procedure and cost of pumping a cesspool are similar to that of pumping a septic tank, so be ready to spend anything from $100-$800 depending on the size, location, and other variables.
4. Testing Fees
Again, to ensure that soil and groundwater around where the cesspool was located are not contaminated, further tests may be done after the cesspool has been removed.
The tests involves taking samples of the soil and ground water and analyzing them for the presence of harmful bacteria and other contaminants.
The fees that you are likely to pay for this type of test depends on the number of samples to be analyzed and the complexity of analysis.
On average, expect to part with between $700 and $1800.
Cesspool Removal Cost By Type/Design
| Type of cesspool | Cost |
| Stand residential cesspool | $2,500 -$5,000 |
| Non-residential (large capacity cesspool) | $10,000 – $20,000 |
Cesspools can be categorized by size or by function.
For instance, we have residential and non-residential cesspools which are mostly differentiated by size.
The non-residential cesspools are usually larger and are also known as large-capacity cesspools.
A small residential cesspool will cost $2,500 and $5,000 to remove.
However, non-residential cesspools cost as much as $10,000 or even up to $20,000 in some cases.
In terms of function, a cesspool can either be sealed or filtering.
A filtering cesspool typically has holes in the wall or on the bottom from which effluent filters into the soil.
A sealed cesspool doesn’t have holes and holds the effluent until it is full before it is pumped.
As you may imagine, the cost of removing a large-capacity cesspool will be higher than removing a small residential cesspool.
Also, if the cesspool was not the sealed type, additional charges may apply.
For instance, soil testing may be necessary to determine if the soil is suitable for a new septic system or if it requires remediation. The cost can range from $200 to $1,000.
Additional Costs to Consider
There are some other important costs that you may want to consider.
For instance, if you are trying to convert the old cesspool into a septic tank, then there may be some additional costs like inspecting and treating the soil, purchasing a new septic tank, etc.
After you are done removing the cesspool, you may also want to repair the landscaping.
And if the cesspool was located under a structure, the removal process can cause significant damages, which may necessitate repairs and restoration.
This means that you may incur restoration costs, which may include but not limited to repairs of damages to the foundation, walls, or flooring as well as associated electrical and plumbing works that may be required.
What Is The Cost Difference Between Removing A Cesspool And Converting To A Septic System?
When converting the cesspool to a septic system, you will need to install a new septic tank and a leach field after removing the cesspool.
Installing a new conventional septic system will cost $2,500 -$9,000.
This means that in addition to the removal cost of the cesspool, the conversion costs will be significantly higher.
FAQs:
1. Are there any government grants or financial assistance programs available for cesspool removal?
Yes, there are government grants and financial assistance programs available for cesspool removal.
In some areas, local governments offer grants or low-interest loans to help homeowners pay for the cost of cesspool removal and septic system installation.
2. Are there any environmental concerns associated with cesspool removal that could increase the cost?
Yes, there are potential environmental concerns associated with cesspool removal that could increase the cost.
For instance, if the soil under and around the cesspool is polluted, remediation may be needed before installing a new system.
The cost of the remediation process will be significantly higher if it was located in a protected wetland or watershed area.
That’s because additional permits and environmental reviews may be required, which can increase the overall cost.
3. How often does a cesspool need to be removed and how does that impact the overall cost?
A cesspool should last for 20-30 years (or more) depending on the frequency of use and how well it is maintained.
This means that it should be removed after this period.
However, if the cesspool has failed and started causing pollution, it will have to be removed sooner than this and replaced with a conventional septic system.
Additionally, local regulation may require every house/business to remove all cesspools regardless of age, so you may want to consult with your local health department to be sure.
Check out the following posts for more information on septic system repair and maintenance costs: