LOCATES OF SEPTIC LINES/ TANK
● If you are planning on doing any construction digging or underground installation, you must call 811 or 800-424-5555.
● Once we receive the notification from the 811 service, we will come out and locate the septic lines and tank. We use GREEN spray paint and/or GREEN flags as markers of lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
● Who can install a new tank and/or septic lines?
Answer: Before you Dig you'll need to call 811 and also call Lincoln Sewer about tank and sewer hookups. Hire a professional construction company to do the digging and placement of tank. Lincoln Sewer will come out on day of installation to inspect and assist of new tank and lines. We are not responsible for ordering a tank, that is home owner responsibility while working with general contractor.
● When and how often is my septic tank pumped?
Answer: If you are residential our goal is to pump tanks between every 2-5 years reasoning for this because homes have less ERC’s or wastewater usage vs Commercial/Business as they use more wastewater and therefore have a higher ERC calculation. Commercial/Business are pumped and serviced yearly twice (spring and fall) with the heavy usages of wastewater for examples multiple bathrooms and sinks throughout the building, dishwashers and anything else using a form of wastewater.
● Can I dispose of fryer grease or cooking oil or food products down the drain?
Answer: We do not recommend of pouring grease or used cooking oil down the sink, grease or cooking oil can create build up inside the plumbing and line leading to the tank in which can create major issues of clogging, plugging and damage to the interwall of the pipes that could weaken or crack pipes. We also dont suggest sending like potato peels or any other food product waste into the pipes great way to clog a sink pipes and now having to call a plumber. If you have garbage disposal thats fine to use, but also be mindful even when using it as a means of disposing of food byproducts. It just a best habit to throw or dispose of these items into a trashbag or a container that can disposed of at your local dump. Every year we find ourselves being called out on a service call of a plugged line and finding grease inside the tank and now it results of couple hours of having to pressure wash the septic lines to get rid of the build up inside the piping. Reason also for this the septic tanks aren’t equipped with grinders to help with the breakdown of food byproducts.
● How much does it cost to put in a NEW hookup to the main sewer line?
Answer: The cost of all new hookups to the sewer line is $1,550.00. Also will need to call Lincoln Sewer Office when planning any new hookups so we can send you contract paperwork that will need filled out, signed and notarized.
● If I see a redlight on and alarm buzzing on a grey electric lift station box or on a brown utility lift station building do I need call someone and what does it mean?
Answer: Lincoln Sewer Wastewater Operators are on call 24/7, typically we are notified by a phone system whenever an alarm goes off. The redlight is a visual for us to alert us of which location is having issues as well as an alarm to hear it in case say the bulb might not be working. When this happens it could be an issue with the lift station that could involve a bad pump, to bad sensor or just minor issue that is easily fixed. Inside the lift stations we have a panel code that shows us what could be the problem to properly diagnose and fix the situation in a timely manner. If you are concerned and see a redlight/alarm you can reach out to us calling our 24/7 Office number 406-362-4699.
● Who do I call if I suspect a septic backup in my house or I can smell septic inside my house? Answer: If you smell septic call Lincoln Sewer District Office phone number FIRST so we can let you know if is something we can fix and if not youll have to call a plumber. If you are having water backing up in sink or toilet, it could be as easy as plunging or snaking your plumbing, if you aren’t confident with doing this please call a plumber to have them inspect your household pipes and treat the situation. We at Lincoln Sewer District aren’t responsible for plumbing issues inside the house. If the problem is worst then theres a possibility of clogged, plugged or frozen line from outside the house leading to tank and if so we will come out and maintenance the problem. If you do smell septic inside your house especially after using a sink and/or a toilet there could be an issue of a backup inside the line going to the tank or issue inside of the tank that may require us to service the tank itself. So please call our office number so we can come and address the issue.
● How do I pay my bill?
Answer: We offer several ways you are able to pay your bill. You can snail mail your payment in self address envelope to our PO BOX, you can also drop off your monthly bill to Linctel in Lincoln, Mt, can also get with Citizens Alliance Bank in Lincoln, MT and set you up on payplan or NOW we offer Pay Online using this website. We do except cash, if using cash please send a note along with your name, address of location, account number so it makes it easier for us to credit your account properly. Even when sending a check please include your name, address of location and account number so we can properly credit your account.
● I’m having a hard time understanding my bill and how it reads? I paid extra and does that show on my monthly statement?
When extra is paid on an account, it will show a credit with a minus ( -$0.00 ) sign.
This is our system's way of showing a credit on your account.
Residential/ Business/Commercial Tank Pumping:
● Our Goal is to pump residential tanks 2-5 years cycle of solid side of the tank. Except for commercial is done twice yearly in the year due to heavy wastewater usage.
● Reason for why we pump tanks is our lift stations only take on grey water that is sent to the lagoon ponds at our wastewater treatment facility, solids stay in the tank that have to be pumped or vacuumed out by a pumper truck.
● Another reason for pumping is also for preventive maintenance of the tank and septic lines in which allows us to inspect the inside of tank and lid of tank.
● This also helps with potential clogs, freezing issues and even septic smell traveling back up through into house after any use of facets, showers, and toilets.
● While inspecting the tank and tank lid, we also prefer septic lids above ground this helps us with locating of tank, and better, faster service of man hours; if underground takes us longer to have to locate, dig up the area of the lid and also runs risk of issues and slowing us down to help the customer especially on a septic emergency. Example: if you experience a back up in the winter the line is possibly frozen and we would have to build a fire to warm up the ground so can dig up the area of the lid and in which depending on the cold this could take hours to get the ground warm enough so we can get tank lid unearthed and then be able to address and service the issue. WE ASK IF YOUR TANK LID IS UNDERGROUND TO PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE SO WE CAN GET YOU ON A LIST TO HAVE IT BROUGHT TO GROUND LEVEL.