Concrete
A heavy, rigid shell requiring lifting access and a prepared base. Inspect lids, seams and walls for deterioration. Weight alone does not remove groundwater-uplift risk when the tank is emptied.
Septic Tank Installation & Replacement in Atlanta, GA
Installing or replacing an Atlanta septic system starts with the address and site conditions. Confirm the county health authority and sewer availability, then review soil information and the proposed house layout. A Level 3 soil report, or a more detailed Level 4 investigation when applicable, supports the permit design.
Atlanta's rainfall, sloping yards and soil limitations belong in the assessment. We consider access, actual tank capacity and the field together, then explain the service scope and any county review needed. Expected service life depends on the installed product, site conditions and maintenance.
Atlanta Septic Tank Sizes, Soil Reports & Materials
Common residential capacity examples include 1,000, 1,250 and 1,500 gallons. These are useful Georgia design sizes, not a measured inventory of every Atlanta tank. Confirm an existing tank from its installation record rather than guessing from house size.
| Bedroom count | Baseline tank capacity | What changes the design? |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 bedrooms | 1,000 gallons | Garbage grinder, system use and approved scope |
| 5 bedrooms | 1,250 gallons | 250 gallons above the four-bedroom baseline |
| 6 bedrooms | 1,500 gallons | Another 250 gallons for each additional bedroom |
Georgia Rule 511-3-1-.05 sets a 1,000-gallon baseline for one through four bedrooms and adds 250 gallons for each bedroom above four. A garbage grinder requires a 50% capacity increase: a 1,000-gallon baseline becomes 1,500 gallons. Tank gallons describe liquid storage; the drain field needs separate sizing for flow and soil conditions.
Before installation, confirm sewer availability and county jurisdiction. Submit the required soil information and layout to Fulton or DeKalb Environmental Health. Engineered plans require a Level 3 or Level 4 soil report as applicable; constrained sites may need additional investigation.
Fiberglass
A lighter composite tank. Inspect the shell and connections, and follow the approved model’s support, backfill and groundwater instructions. The material does not determine whether treatment is aerobic.
Polyethylene
A molded plastic shell that needs the correct burial depth and backfill. Check deformation, fittings and installation requirements. Use a Georgia-approved tank model suitable for the site.
The tank, field and mechanical equipment can have different service lives. Compare the selected product and site conditions; neither a material label nor a recent pump-out guarantees the whole system.
Georgia tank capacity rule · Georgia DPH approved products · Atlanta permit planning guide
Start with Sewer Availability and the County
Atlanta spans Fulton and DeKalb counties. Confirm the parcel's health authority and whether public sewer connection is required before spending on a replacement design. City building or land-development permits are separate from county septic approval.
Level 3 Soil Report and Site Layout
Have the soil evaluation prepared by an appropriately qualified professional and submit it with the county's application package. Engineered plans call for a Level 3 or Level 4 report as applicable. Soil depth, seasonal wetness, rock, slope and the reserve field area affect what can be approved.
Submit a Complete Application
The package identifies the property, owner, bedroom count or design flow, proposed tank and field, nearby water supplies, utilities and drainage features. The county can request additional information. DeKalb accepts its permit application and engineered-site-plan checklist by email or in person.
Understand the 20-Day Rule
Georgia Rule 511-3-1-.03 requires approval or denial within 20 days after a completed application is received. That is an application decision window, not a promise of installation within 20 days. Soil work, corrections, other permits and contractor scheduling add time.
Inspection Before Covering and Use
The county must make a final inspection and issue written approval before the system is backfilled or used. Septic construction permits are valid for no more than 12 months under the state rule. Keep the final layout and protect both the installed field and replacement area.
Septic Tank Installation & Replacement FAQs
What size tank does a three-bedroom Atlanta home need?
Georgia's baseline liquid capacity is 1,000 gallons for one through four bedrooms. Garbage grinders require a 50% increase. The county-approved design and actual installed record determine the capacity used on a property.
Do I need a Level 3 soil test?
New-system planning needs soil suitability information. A Level 3 soil survey is commonly part of the permit design; the county determines what is needed for the specific project, and engineered plans call for Level 3 or Level 4 information as applicable.
How long does the permit take?
The state rule calls for approval or denial within 20 days after a completed application is received. Soil work, missing information, separate city permits, revisions and inspection scheduling can extend the total project timeline.