Septic tank pumping is the routine job that keeps a system working in Clearwater, a Pinellas County community of about 117,292. When it is put off, common signs are sewage odors, slow drains and wet spots over the drain field after storms. Hurricane Helene's surge reached 6.67 feet above mean higher high water at Clearwater Beach on September 26, 2024, beating the 1993 Storm of the Century record of 4.02 feet. Compare 8 septic companies below and request quotes.
In a Clearwater home on septic, the tank separates what goes down the drain: solids settle to the bottom as sludge, grease floats to the top as scum, and the liquid in between flows out to the drain field. Pumping removes the sludge and scum before they build up far enough to reach the drain field, which is the expensive part of the system to replace. The EPA's general advice is to have a household system inspected at least every three years and the tank pumped every three to five years, more often for small tanks or busy households.
Clearwater is in Pinellas County, which has about 15,000 septic-served parcels, or 3.6%, the fewest of the three counties around Tampa Bay, according to the Tampa Bay Estuary Program's summary of a 2016 state inventory. Storm surge is the bigger local water risk. During Hurricane Helene on September 26, 2024, the Clearwater Beach gauge peaked at 6.67 feet above mean higher high water, beating the 4.02-foot record set in the March 1993 Storm of the Century. Pinellas County is also paying to connect selected septic properties to sewer. Owners of septic homes near the water may want the system inspected after any surge.
Order: listings labeled "Featured · Paid" first (contractors pay for this placement; it does not change the information shown), then companies based in Clearwater, then the rest, each group A–Z. Services and service areas are as stated on each company's website, last checked November 2026.
✓ Registered with Florida DEP: Florida DEP business authorization SA0991059, qualifier SR0241989 (checked on DEP's register, Nov 2026)
● 24/7 (per company website)
Counties served: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Marion
Based in Land O' Lakes · Listed in 10 cities
Pumping
Repair
Installation
Inspection
Drain field
+2 more
Land O' Lakes-based company offering septic pumping, repairs, installations, inspections, drain field, ATU and grease trap service in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Marion counties.
Service area: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Marion counties
✓ Registered with Florida DEP: Florida DEP business authorization SA0101719, qualifier SR0890237 (checked on DEP's register, Nov 2026)
Counties served: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco
Based in Holiday · Listed in 8 cities
Pumping
Repair
Installation
Holiday-based company offering septic tank pumping and cleaning, maintenance and repair, and septic installation in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.
Service area: Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties
Tampa-based plumbing company offering septic tank pumping, inspections, installation, repairs and drain field work in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
✓ Registered with Florida DEP: Florida DEP business authorization SA0890239, qualifier SM0890481 (checked on DEP's register, Nov 2026)
Counties served: Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas
Based in Tampa · Listed in 8 cities
Pumping
Repair
Installation
Inspection
Drain field
+1 more
Tampa-based company offering septic and grease trap pumping, system installation, repairs, inspections and drain field installation in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas.
Service area: Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties
✓ Registered with Florida DEP: Florida DEP business authorization SA0232167, qualifier SR0101670 (checked on DEP's register, Nov 2026)
● 24/7 (per company website)
Counties served: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco
Based in Largo · Listed in 4 cities
Pumping
Repair
Installation
Inspection
Grease trap
Largo-based branch of Wind River offering septic pumping, repairs, installation, inspections and grease trap cleaning in Pinellas County, Tampa and Brandon.
Service area: Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties
Tampa-based plumbing, HVAC and septic company offering septic pumping, inspections, installation, repairs and drain field work across the Tampa Bay area.
Service area: Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Lutz, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills
Clearwater has about 23,294 single-family detached houses, 38% of its 61,123 homes. The median home was built in 1978; 56% were built before 1980 and 7% since 2010. That makes Clearwater an older housing market. Where those older homes are on septic, the systems are often decades old too, and records of past pumping or repairs may be missing, so an inspection is a sensible first step.
Florida's septic rule does not count routine pumping as a repair (Rule 62-6.002), so it does not need a repair permit. Florida law requires a permit for septic repairs, modifications and new systems. Local rules can differ, so ask the permit office. The health department issues septic permits throughout Pinellas County on behalf of Florida DEP.
Published cost guides put a typical residential pump-out at $290–$600, with a national average of about $400–$420. Larger tanks, lids that have to be dug up (about $50–$200 extra) and emergency or after-hours calls cost more. We have no Clearwater-specific price data, so compare at least two written quotes.
How much does septic tank pumping cost in Clearwater?
Published cost guides put a typical residential pump-out at $290–$600, with a national average of about $400–$420. Larger tanks, lids that have to be dug up (about $50–$200 extra) and emergency or after-hours calls cost more. We have no Clearwater-specific price data, so compare at least two written quotes.
How often should a septic tank be pumped in Clearwater?
The EPA says household septic tanks are typically pumped every 3 to 5 years and inspected at least every 3 years. Tank size and household size change the interval, so ask the company to note the sludge level at each pump-out.
Do I need a permit to pump or repair a septic tank in Clearwater?
Florida's septic rule does not count routine pumping as a repair (Rule 62-6.002), so it does not need a repair permit. Florida law requires a permit for repairs, modifications and new systems (s. 381.0065(4), F.S.). For homes in Clearwater, septic permits come from Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County, Environmental Health (727-538-7277). Local rules can differ, so ask the permit office, and ask the company you hire who applies for the permit.
How old are homes in Clearwater?
The median home in Clearwater was built in 1978. About 56% of homes were built before 1980 and 7% since 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024). The Census does not record which homes use septic, so check your property records or a past pumping receipt.
How many septic companies pump tanks in Clearwater?
8 companies on this page list Clearwater in their service area and offer septic tank pumping. 3 state 24/7 service on their own website.
How were these Clearwater septic companies chosen?
Each listing was checked against the company's own website for the services it offers and the areas it serves (last checked November 2026). Where a card says "Registered with Florida DEP", we looked up the registration on DEP's public register. Otherwise, confirm registration and insurance before you hire.
