You may never know the importance of septic tank records until you get into a position that requires them.

Septic tank records are not publicly available, at least not in most states in the USA, so you have to contact various authorities and third parties to access them.

The availability of these records may vary in different states, so it’s essential to consult your local authority for guidance on how to find them.

Also, the availability of records may depend on why you need them.

Below are ten ways you may discover septic tank location records within your jurisdiction:

1.   Contact the Previous Property Owner

You can contact the previous owner if you have already settled on a new house and would like to access septic tank location records.

Most homeowners have documents regarding their septic tank, which means your previous homeowner may have them.

Septic tank records are among the critical details you should ask from the seller when buying a home to ensure that it is in excellent condition.

2.   Reach Out to the Local Health Department

Local health departments in various states keep a record of septic tank locations for all properties within their jurisdiction.

Visit their offices or request online from their official website, explaining why you need the documents.

They will provide you with the records if your reason satisfies them.

3.  Contact the Local Septic Installation Companies

Local septic tank installation companies keep records of all septic tanks they have put up in the locality.

One of the local companies may have the records you are interested in.

Make a list of them and contact them individually to determine which one may have the records.

4.   Contact HOA (Home Owners Association)

If you live in a property under a Home Owners Association, they may have the records of your septic tank.

Contact the manager to find out if they have the records to hand them to you.

5.   Visit Title and Land Surveyors Companies

Title companies are responsible for issuing property titles to owners and may have information regarding septic tanks in different properties.

They can direct you to relevant offices even if they don’t have complete or concrete information regarding your septic tank.

 Same case for land surveyors’ offices that may have records showing the location of your property’s septic tank.

6.  Online Public Records Databases

You never know, but you may find information on your septic tank on an online database, although the chances are minimal.

It is not common to find records on septic tanks on a public database, but some states and counties may make an exemption.

Also, even if you find the records on a public database, there is no guarantee that you will find complete information, and you will have to find an alternative source.

7.  Contact or Visit County Records Office

Some counties keep records of all properties permitted to install septic tanks.

You can visit them and request the records, and they will hand them to you if you provide a valid reason for needing them.

You can start by checking for the records on their website, and if you don’t find them, visit their office.

8.  Seek Help from Your Real Estate Agent or Professional Investigator

If you experience challenges finding septic tank location records, you can get someone specializing in finding property-related information for those needing them.

An investigator or the real estate agent who sold you the property or the one who helped you buy the property should be your priority when seeking professional help in retrieving the septic tank records.

Real estate agents are knowledgeable about septic tanks because they buy and sell properties with septic tanks, so they may assist you in locating the records.

9.  Environmental Institutions

State or local environmental agencies pay attention to local sewer systems to ensure they are not affecting the environment negatively.

In doing so, they may obtain and compile records of septic tanks in different areas.

Such agencies often conduct routine inspections to ensure septic systems are in excellent condition and not threatening the environment.

You should contact them to find out if they have the records.

10. Building and Engineering Firms

Your local building or engineering departments may have septic tank records for all building projects they have constructed or supervised.

Visit their offices or contact them via their website to see if they have the records you seek.

If they can’t help you with the information, they may direct you to where to find the files.

Are Septic Tank Locations Public Records?

Finding septic tank location records may not be as easy as you expect because they are made available on request, meaning they are not publicly accessible.

Most states in the US keep records on septic tanks private for reasons related to security and health.

This means that disclosing information on septic tanks belonging to private properties is a violation of their privacy and can lead to legal prosecution.

However, records on septic tank locations being private don’t mean they cannot be accessed when the need arises.

Several situations may allow different parties to access septic tanks locations records, such as the following:

• Local Authorities: Local health departments and other permitted authorities may request septic tank records to determine whether homeowners have complied with relevant laws on tank installation, among other requirements.

• Potential Home Buyers: It is common for home buyers to request septic tank records of the property they would like to purchase to confirm if it’s installed correctly in compliance with local regulations, its estimated maintenance costs, and whether it is in excellent condition.

• Architects and Engineers: May request septic tank location records when carrying out property expansion projects. Septic system engineers may also request the records when upgrading or replacing the septic tank using new designs.

• Insurance Companies: Insurance underwriters may request clients whose properties have septic tanks to provide the records for assessment before determining premiums to be paid.

• Homeowners: There are several instances where homeowners may request septic tank location records, such as when carrying out routine maintenance or wanting to know its exact location within the property.