Computing Septic Tank Capacity and Size

SEPTIC TANK SIZE TABLE - Table of Required Septic
Tank Size Based on Daily Water Usage

How big does our septic tank need to be?
Table of Required Septic Tank Size for Daily

Water Usage Volume in Gallons
Average Sewage
Minimum Septic Tank Size
Wastewater
in Gallons of Effective
Flow - Gallons
Capacity Needed (1)
Per Day
0-500 900
601-700 1200
801-900 1500
1001-1240 1900
2001-2500 3200
4501-5000 5800
Notes to Table:
 (1) Source: Florida ASHI Seminar, Kissimmee, October 1993, included

sheet from Environmental Health Services, March 17, 1992.
 Some intermediate table entries were eliminated but can be
recalculated by interpolation
 In most U.S. jurisdictions we surveyed, the minimum permitted tank size
for new septic installations is 1000 gallons. Special site considerations
may require design by a septic-engineer before local health
departments can approve an installation.
 WATER USAGE TABLE provides companion data if you don't already
know your daily wastewater volume
SEPTIC TANK SIZE TABLE - Table of Required Septic

Tank Size Based on Number of Bedrooms in a Home
How big does our septic tank need to be based on the number of bedrooms in
the home? Some jurisdictions use the number of bedrooms rather than
number of occupants or estimated daily wastewater flow to guide
homeowners and septic installers in choosing a septic tank size. For
example, New Mexico uses this standard. Other experts estimate that
occupants use between 50 and 100 gallons of water per person per day in a
home in the U.S. We can use that guesstimate to compare different septic
tank size guidelines. Also see WATER USAGE TABLE .
Septic Tank in Gallons Size Based on Number

of Bedrooms
0-2 bedrooms 750 gal. (2)
3 bedrooms 1000 gal.
4 bedrooms 1200 gal.
5-6 bedrooms 1500 gal.
Notes to the septic tank table:
2. 750 gallons is smaller than the minimum 1000g size required for new
construction in some jurisdictions.
COMPUTING SEPTIC TANK CAPACITY - How to

Compute Septic Tank Size and Capacity in Gallons
How do we compute the volume in gallons that a septic tank provides based
on simple measurements we can make?
Septic Tanks are usually about 4.5 feet wide x 8.0 feet long x 6 feet tall. Tanks
are typically buried 4 inches to 4 feet deep depending on local site conditions,
shape, slope, and other factors.
Here is the basic math for computing septic tank capacity (volume) in gallons.
Measurements are in feet, taken of inside dimensions of the septic tank.
Calculating Septic Tank Capacity in Gallons

3.14 x radius squared x depth (all in feet)
Round Septic
= cubic capacity. Cubic capacity x 7.5 =
Tanks
gallons capacity.
Rectangular Length x Width x Depth in feet x 7.5 =
Septic Tanks gallons
Rectangular Length x width in inches / 231 = gallons
Septic Tanks per inch of septic tank depth. Multiply this
(alternative number by septic tank depth in inches to
method 1) get gallons
Rectangular
Septic Tanks Length x Width x Depth in feet / .1337 =
(alternative gallons
method 2)
COMPUTING EXAMPLE - An Example of Computing Septic Tank Size,

Capacity or Volume in Gallons
One gallon of water has a volume of .1337 cubic feet. For a rectangular septic
tank, multiply depth (or inside "height") in feet times width times length. Divide
this figure by .1337 to establish the number of gallons in the septic tank.
Example 1: how many gallons is held in a a 4ft. deep x 5ft. wide x 8 ft. long
septic tank? If the tank dimensions were 4ft. x 5ft. x 8ft. = 160 cubic feet.
Using the conversion factor to convert cubic feet to gallons, 160 / .1337 =
1196 - or about a 1200-gallon tank.
One cubic foot of volume can contain 7.481 gallons of liquid. So a second
approach to calculating septic tank actual size or capacity in gallons is to
multiply the septic tank volume in cubic feet by this constant, which we round
up to 7.5 gallons/cubic foot.
Example 2: how many cubic feet and how many gallons are held in a septic
tank of typical dimensions of 4.5 ft. wide x 8.0 ft. long x 6 ft. high. (4.5 x 8 x 6)
= 216 cubic feet. Since one cubic foot can contain 7.481 gallons, which we
round up to 7.5 gallons per cubic foot: 216 x 7.5 = 1620 gallons of septic tank
capacity - this is probably nominally a "1500-gallon septic tank".
Note that if the dimensions given by your septic contractor are the external

dimensions of the tank rather than the internal dimensions then the volume
given by this calculation will come up with a septic tank size estimate that is
higher than the actual tank capacity - the error is due to failure to allow for the
thickness of the septic tank walls. So for fitting a septic tank into a tight spot,
the outer dimensions of the septic tank are important. But for accurate
calculation of the capacity of a septic tank you need to use the septic tank
internal dimensions.

Computing Septic Tank Capacity and Size

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SEPTIC TANK SIZE TABLE - Table of Required Septic

Tank Size Based on Daily Water Usage

Table of Required Septic Tank Size for Daily

 (1) Source: Florida ASHI Seminar, Kissimmee, October 1993, included

SEPTIC TANK SIZE TABLE - Table of Required Septic

Septic Tank in Gallons Size Based on Number

Notes to the septic tank table:

COMPUTING SEPTIC TANK CAPACITY - How to

Calculating Septic Tank Capacity in Gallons

COMPUTING EXAMPLE - An Example of Computing Septic Tank Size,

Note that if the dimensions given by your septic contractor are the external

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