Quick answer
Don’t assume a home’s wastewater system from its neighborhood, and don’t treat a pump-out as an inspection. If you’re buying, ask for an existing-system inspection plus the county’s records. If you’re in Bend city limits and sewer has reached your street, read the septic-to-sewer section before you pay for a major repair.
Companies to compare:Abe Jones Septic Service, Cascade Septic, George’s Septic Tank Services, MBM Excavation, McDonald Septic, RBE Inc. Excavation & Septic, Shields Septic Tank Service.
Bend septic companies to compare
These companies advertise septic service in Central Oregon. They are listed alphabetically. Check the DEQ license for pumping, and the CCB and DEQ installer records for excavation and installation.
Company details were reviewed in October and November 2026. License numbers are shown as the company publishes them or as they appeared in state records at that time. Services, staff and license status change, so confirm what matters directly and in writing.
Abe Jones Septic Service
Based in: Bend
Phone: 541-382-7761
Services advertised: Septic pumping, inspections, grease traps and drain cleaning
Potential fit: Routine pumping from a family-operated Central Oregon company.
Ask about: What an inspection includes, and whether it covers the drainfield as well as the tank.
Cascade Septic
Based in: Bend and Redmond; also La Pine, Gilchrist, Crescent and Sunriver
Phone: 541-306-4155
Services advertised: Pumping, DEQ inspections and reports, installation, drainfield restoration, sand filters and ATT systems
Potential fit: One company for pumping, real estate inspection and a possible repair or install.
Ask about: When drainfield restoration is realistic versus when replacement is needed. Ask for evidence in either case.
George’s Septic Tank Services
Based in: Sisters and Central Oregon
Phone: 541-419-3148
Services advertised: Septic tank pumping and service
Potential fit: Properties on the Sisters and northwest side of the region.
Ask about: Service area for your address, and trip fees.
MBM Excavation
Based in: Bend and Central Oregon
License: CCB 207265
Phone: 541-410-4868
Services advertised: Excavation, plus septic system design and installation
Potential fit: New systems or replacements where the digging is a major part of the job.
Ask about: Site evaluation status, how it prices rock and who secures county permits.
McDonald Septic
Based in: Central Oregon
Phone: 541-382-5251
Services advertised: Residential and commercial septic pumping, pump stations and grease traps
Potential fit: Pumping from a long-established licensed, bonded and insured pumper.
Ask about: How to locate and uncover your tank, and any extra cost for digging or long hose runs.
RBE Inc. Excavation & Septic
Based in: Bend
License: CCB 188908
Phone: 541-280-4191
Services advertised: Excavation, septic pumping, service and repair, with 24/7 emergency response
Potential fit: A backup emergency, or a job combining septic repair and excavation.
Ask about: After-hours pricing and how the failure will be diagnosed before any digging.
Shields Septic Tank Service
Based in: La Pine and Central Oregon
Phone: 541-815-0040
Services advertised: Septic services
Potential fit: Homes south of Bend, around La Pine.
Ask about: The full service list, and how it handles access in winter.
Pumping, inspection and repair are different things
- Pumping removes tank contents. It doesn’t tell you that the drainfield is healthy.
- An existing-system inspection should evaluate the tank and additional components. Ask what’s checked, and what qualifications the inspector has for the entire system.
- Repair or replacement usually involves a Deschutes County onsite permit. The county says a permit is required when constructing, installing, altering or repairing an onsite system or any part of one.
Oregon DEQ guidance is to check solids buildup about every 5 to 7 years, and to pump when solids exceed 40% of the tank. Actual timing depends on tank size, household use and the system. DEQ says tanks should be pumped by a DEQ-licensed pumper.
Buying a home with a septic system
A regular home inspection normally won’t fully assess a septic system. Before your contingency runs out:
- Confirm that the property actually is on septic.
- Look up permits and records with Deschutes County’s property information system (DIAL).
- Book a septic inspection, and don’t rely on a pump receipt alone.
- Ask for maintenance contracts if it’s an alternative treatment system. DEQ requires ongoing service contracts for ATT systems.
- Check where the tank and drainfield are before you plan a garage, ADU or new driveway.
- If the property is within city limits, ask whether sewer is available or planned.
Our home inspection guide explains how to fit this into your timeline.
The City of Bend septic-to-sewer program
Residents on septic can apply for a sewer project in their area. The City’s 2026 to 2027 materials list these costs:
- Connection fee: $5,335.17 if you connect within 2 years of the Notice of Operational Completion, or $10,670.33 after that.
- System development charge: $6,170 for an average single-unit home.
- Private costs: plumbing permit fees, running the line on your property and decommissioning the tank, which vary by lot.
The City says connection isn’t automatically required. It can be when sewer runs along your frontage and your septic system needs a repair permit or fails, when a development increases the system’s capacity needs, or when you signed a funded project application. Owners at or below 80% of area median income may qualify for a connection fee waiver, and the City also points to Craft3 Clean Water Loans and NeighborImpact for private costs.
Contact the program at 541-330-4000, ext. 2, and confirm the current figures. The tank abandonment permit comes from Deschutes County (541-388-6519). Our sewer line guide covers the private side of a connection.
Warning signs and what to do
- Slow drains throughout the house, or gurgling
- Sewage odor in the yard
- Soggy ground or lush grass over the drainfield
- Sewage backing up inside
If sewage is backing up, cut water use right away and call a qualified septic professional. If it’s surfacing outdoors, keep people and pets away. Don’t drive over the tank or drainfield, and keep trees and heavy equipment clear. For cleanup indoors, see our guide to water damage costs.
How to get comparable quotes
Prices rarely appear online, as they depend on access, tank size and the system. Ask each company to confirm:
- DEQ license or CCB and installer credentials, as relevant
- Whether the price covers pumping only or a full inspection
- Tank size, and any charge for extra gallons
- Locating and uncovering the tank
- A written report with findings and photos
- Who secures county permits
- How rock and restoration are priced
- Warranty on any repair
Our contractor bid comparison checklist gives you a simple way to line those details up side by side.
Red flags
- A pump-out presented as proof the whole system is fine
- A costly replacement quoted without a diagnosis
- No county permit for repair or installation
- Additives pitched as a fix for a failing drainfield
- No license numbers offered
- A bid that ignores rock on a dig-heavy job
Common questions
Do all homes in Bend use septic systems?
No. Much of Bend is on city sewer, while septic is more common on rural and edge-of-city properties and in surrounding communities. Confirm the system for the specific property.
How often should I pump my septic tank?
Oregon DEQ’s guidance is to inspect for solids roughly every 5 to 7 years and pump when solids exceed 40%. Timing depends on your tank size, household and system.
Is a pump-out the same as an inspection?
No. Pumping removes tank contents. An inspection should evaluate the tank and other parts of the system. Ask exactly what is included.
What does it cost to convert to city sewer in Bend?
Under the City’s 2026 to 2027 program, public costs are about $11,505 for an average single-unit home connecting within two years of the notice, plus private costs for the line, permits and tank decommissioning, which vary by lot.
Where do I find septic records in Deschutes County?
Start with Deschutes County Community Development and its DIAL property information system. County staff can help if records are missing or hard to interpret.
Official sources & further research
For rules, licensing and local programs, use the current primary source before making a decision.