SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Drain Cleaner
  • Drain Technician
  • Public Works Technician
  • Septic Cleaner
  • Septic Pump Truck Driver
  • Septic Tank Service Technician
  • Service Technician
  • Sewer Bricklayer
Take the free assessment Compare salaries

What do Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners do?

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners are skilled professionals who play a critical role in maintaining the health and functionality of wastewater systems. They are responsible for inspecting, cleaning, and repairing septic tanks, sewer pipes, and drainage systems to ensure they operate efficiently. These workers are trained to manage sewer and septic systems, which are essential for disposing of liquid waste safely and effectively, particularly in areas not connected to municipal sewer systems.

Their work often involves performing routine maintenance, such as pumping out septic tanks to remove sludge and scum buildup, thus preventing system failures and potential environmental hazards. They utilize specialized equipment, such as vacuum trucks and high-pressure water jetters, to clear blockages in pipes caused by a variety of debris, including grease, roots, and foreign objects. In addition to cleaning and maintenance, these workers may also conduct inspections to diagnose problems and recommend necessary repairs or replacements.

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners are essential for protecting public health and the environment, as they help to prevent sewer backups and overflows, which can lead to contamination of water sources and create sanitary hazards. Their expertise ensures that septic systems and sewer lines function efficiently, which is vital for residential and commercial properties that rely on these systems for waste disposal.

What the work actually is

  • Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.
  • Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.
  • Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.
  • Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
  • Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Equipment Maintenance Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Abilities

  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Flexibility of Closure The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Transportation Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

✨ JobCopilot - Smart Job Matching

Find jobs that match your skills with AI-powered search

Search Jobs Now

How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Less than high school diploma
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

A normal week

  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Getting Information
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Accounting software Intuit QuickBooks
  • Route navigation software Route mapping software
  • Word processing software Microsoft Word
  • Internet browser software Web browser software

Tools

  • Drain or pipe cleaning equipment High velocity water jetters · Power rodders · Sewer cleaners
  • Water pumps Liquid pumps
  • Two way radios Mobile radios
  • Pipe or tube cutter Pipe cutters
  • Trowels Power trowels

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Advertisement

Get a Well-Paying Job Fast

Start Your Career

Get Started

Does this career fit you?

A free assessment matches your answers to careers, and shows the salary that goes with each one.

Start free

Questions people ask

How much do Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners earn in South Africa?

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners do?

Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones, Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment and Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.