Fast connections to licensed septic and well professionals serving Mandeville, Covington, Slidell, Abita Springs, Madisonville, and the surrounding parish — for the roughly one in three Northshore homes that aren't on municipal sewer or water.
Independent referral service — we connect you with local licensed contractors and don't perform the work ourselves. Availability and pricing are confirmed directly with the contractor.
St. Tammany Parish sits north of Lake Pontchartrain on a mix of clay and sandy soils with a naturally high water table. That combination is exactly why septic systems here need more attention than in areas with better-draining ground — and why so many rural properties, especially around Folsom, Bush, Talisheek, and Sun, rely on private wells instead of a municipal water line.
Roughly a third of homes across the parish use an on-site sewage system rather than connecting to a sewer main. If you're one of them, knowing who to call — and what the parish actually requires — makes a real difference when something goes wrong.
Routine and emergency pump-outs.
Drain field, tank, and line issues.
Aerobic treatment unit maintenance and repair.
New systems and full replacements.
Fast response for no-water calls.
Iron, manganese, tannin & sulfur issues.
The parish's Sewerage Inspection Permit (SIP) program requires inspection of on-site sewage systems, including at property sale. If you're not sure your system is compliant, our Resources page has direct links to the parish department and how to apply.
Inspection requirements, fees, and application processes are set by St. Tammany Parish and can change. Confirm current requirements directly with the Department of Environmental Services (contact info on our Resources page) rather than relying solely on this summary.
We live and work here in St. Tammany Parish, but septic and well problems don't stop at the parish line. We also connect homeowners in nearby Tangipahoa Parish (Hammond, Ponchatoula, and surrounding communities) and Washington Parish (Bogalusa, Franklinton) with the same network of licensed local professionals.
Tangipahoa Parish's largest city, just west of the Northshore.
Hammond, Ponchatoula, Amite, and surrounding communities.
Bogalusa, Franklinton, and the piney hills to the north.
Tell us what's going on — a slow drain, a septic alarm, no water pressure — and where you're located in the parish.
We route your request to a licensed septic or well professional who serves your part of St. Tammany Parish.
The contractor contacts you directly to schedule the visit and handle the work.
Most residential septic tanks need pumping every 3 to 5 years, though the right interval depends on tank size, household size, and water usage. Homes with garbage disposals or larger households often need more frequent pumping, and St. Tammany's high water table and clay soil can cause issues to show up sooner than in areas with better-draining soil.
The parish's Department of Environmental Services administers the Sewerage Inspection Permit (SIP) program, covering inspection of on-site sewage systems, including at property transfer. Applications are handled online through MyGovernmentOnline. See our Resources page for the direct link and office contact information.
If you don't receive a water bill from a parish or municipal water system, you're likely on a private well. Many rural parts of St. Tammany Parish — including areas around Folsom, Bush, Talisheek, and Sun — rely on private wells rather than a community water system.
A conventional septic tank relies on gravity and naturally occurring bacteria to separate and break down waste before it reaches the drain field. An ATU actively injects air to speed up bacterial breakdown and produce cleaner effluent. ATUs are often required on smaller lots or where soil conditions won't support a standard drain field, and they need more frequent maintenance than a conventional tank.
Septic installers and maintenance providers are licensed through the Louisiana Department of Health's On-Site Wastewater Program. Water well contractors are licensed through the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, reachable at (225) 342-8244. Direct verification links are on our Resources page.