A 1000 gallon low profile two compartment septic tank for the western states
The Norwesco 1000 gallon low profile two compartment septic tank, part number 44482, is a green polyethylene tank 127 inches long, 60 inches wide and 51 inches tall, weighing 370 lb empty. It is made at Norwesco's Hanford, California plant and Norwesco lists state septic approvals for it in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah, so this is the version of the low profile two compartment tank to order west of the Rockies. The shallow shape keeps the excavation short where rock, caliche or a high water table makes a deep hole expensive. Two compartments split the tank into a settling chamber and a polishing chamber ahead of the drainfield. The inlet and outlet each take a 4 inch gasket with a tee assembly, and access is through a 20 inch manway. Norwesco lists the tank as IAPMO approved, backs it with a 5 year warranty, and sets the service limit at 130 F.
Does your county accept this tank? Call 866-418-1777 with the county and we will check before you order, or get freight to your ZIP and add it to your cart above.
Why two compartments, and why low profile
The first compartment takes the raw flow and holds most of the solids; the second takes the settled liquid and gives any remaining solids a second chance to drop before the effluent leaves for the drainfield. That protects the drainfield, which is the expensive part of the system and the part that fails first when solids get through. Most western states now require two compartments on a new install, and even where a single compartment is still accepted the second chamber is cheap insurance. The low profile shell is for sites where the dig is the problem: a sewer line that leaves the house shallow, rock or hardpan a few feet down, or a lot where the drainfield is uphill and the whole system has to stay near the surface. At 51 inches tall plus cover the tank sits in a hole a small excavator digs quickly. Our note on single compartment versus two compartment septic tanks goes through the trade-offs, and Norwesco IAPMO and CSA septic tank approvals explains what the listings cover.
Openings and fittings
- Inlet. A 4 inch gasket with a tee assembly. The inlet tee turns the incoming flow downward so the scum layer stays undisturbed. The inlet sits higher than the outlet so the tank flows in one direction.
- Outlet. A 4 inch gasket with a tee assembly in the second compartment, drawing from below the scum and above the sludge. If your county requires an effluent filter in the outlet tee, tell us and we will add one.
- Manway. A 20 inch manway. Both compartments need pumping, so plan access to each; if the lid will finish below grade, ask us for the riser that brings it to the surface.
- Pipe grades. Ask us for Norwesco's drawing for this tank before you set the sewer line; the invert heights at the inlet and outlet decide the pipe grade from the house and to the drainfield.
Setting it
Follow Norwesco's installation instructions: they set the bedding, the backfill material and the order in which you fill the tank with water while you backfill so the walls are supported from both sides. Never backfill an empty polyethylene septic tank and never set one where vehicles will drive. Level the bedding on both axes before the tank goes in. Fit the tees, connect the pipes, fill with water to the outlet, then call for inspection. The low profile tank field guide covers moving and setting a long shallow tank on site.
Related tanks
The same two compartment low profile shell with a side inlet and loose plumbing: the 1000 gallon low profile two compartment tank with side inlet. Single compartment versions: the 1000 gallon low profile one compartment tank and the version with a side inlet. For Florida: the 900 gallon and 1050 gallon Florida tanks.
Shipping and receiving
The tank ships LTL, 127 by 60 by 51 inches, from Norwesco's Hanford, California plant. The listed price is before freight; the freight cost estimator gives the lane cost to your ZIP, or request a written quote for the permit file. At the tailgate, check the part number against 44482 on the bill of lading, count both tee assemblies and the manway lid, and walk the shell for transit damage before the driver leaves.
Questions before you order? Call 866-418-1777.
Freight and documents
Ships from: Hanford, CA. LTL freight is quoted to your ZIP with the freight cost estimator or by phone at 866-418-1777. The listed price is before freight.
See this tank
Product video. Watch the Norwesco 1000 Gallon Low Profile Plastic Two Compartment Septic Tank - IAPMO Certified video (69 seconds) with dimensions, fittings and shipping notes.
Ready to order?
Add it to your cart at the top of this page, get LTL freight to your ZIP, request a written quote, or call 866-418-1777. The listed price is before freight.
