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Septic Services in Shreveport, LA

Caddo Parish County · Pop. 187,593

Shreveport is the largest city in northwest Louisiana and the commercial hub of the Ark-La-Tex region — the tri-state area where Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas converge. Unlike south Louisiana's ATU-dominated on-site wastewater landscape, northwest Louisiana's upland terrace geology offers somewhat more variety in suitable septic system types. The better-drained Ruston and Sacul fine sandy loam uplands of Caddo Parish can support conventional gravity trench systems, while the poorly drained Caddo and Wrightsville soils that cover large areas of the parish still require ATU installation. Shreveport's historic petroleum industry has left a legacy of environmental contamination sites that occasionally intersect with septic system siting decisions. The Red River backwater flooding risk is a persistent concern for low-lying properties throughout Caddo Parish.

Services in Shreveport

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Drain Field Repair

Restore or replace failed leach fields and drain lines to prevent sewage surfacing and groundwater contamination.

$2,000 – $15,000

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Grease Trap Pumping

Commercial grease trap cleaning and pumping to prevent sewer blockages and maintain health code compliance.

$200 – $800

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Septic Inspection

Comprehensive evaluation of your septic system's condition, required for real estate transactions in most states.

$300 – $600

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Septic System Installation

Complete new septic system design and installation, from perc testing to final inspection.

$3,500 – $20,000

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Septic Tank Pumping

Regular pumping removes accumulated solids from your septic tank, preventing backups and extending system life.

$275 – $600

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Septic Repair

Diagnose and fix septic system problems including leaks, clogs, baffle failures, and component replacements.

$500 – $5,000

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Well Drilling

Professional water well drilling for residential and commercial properties without access to municipal water.

$6,000 – $25,000

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Well Pump Repair

Diagnose and repair well pump failures, pressure tank issues, and water flow problems.

$300 – $3,000

Septic Providers in Shreveport (11)

AS

A&E SEPTIC Verified

Shreveport, LA 00000

A&E SEPTIC provides professional septic services in Shreveport, LA and surrounding areas.

Septic PumpingSeptic RepairSeptic Inspection
(318) 465-7923 View Profile

Septic Service Costs in Shreveport

Service Average Cost
Septic Tank Pumping $175 - $300
Septic System Installation $5,500 - $16,000

Soil Conditions

Caddo Parish soils reflect northwest Louisiana's East Texas-influenced geology. Caddo fine sandy loam and Wrightsville silt loam dominate upland positions — both are poorly drained soils with fragipan layers at 18-30 inches and slow to very slow permeability. Bossier clay and Moreland clay are heavy smectitic soils on floodplains and bottoms with very low permeability. Ruston fine sandy loam and Sacul fine sandy loam on well-drained upland terraces offer moderate permeability and are the most suitable for conventional septic installation in Caddo Parish.

The Ruston fine sandy loam (USDA series 50LA) that covers well-drained upland ridges in Caddo Parish is the premium septic soil in northwest Louisiana — a deep, moderately well-drained Ultisol with sandy loam to loamy sand subsoils and a saturated hydraulic conductivity of 0.6-2.0 in/hr. Conventional trench systems in Ruston soils perform reliably and have lower installation costs than ATU systems. In contrast, the Caddo fine sandy loam (USDA series 8LA) — named for Caddo Parish — is one of the more problematic soils in the region: a poorly drained Ultisol with a fragipan at 18-30 inches, very slow subsoil permeability, and a seasonal water table that floods the critical drainfield depth zone. Distinguishing between these two soil types on a given lot requires professional site evaluation.

Water Table: Poorly drained upland soils (Caddo, Wrightsville) have seasonal high water tables at 0-12 inches from December through April. Well-drained upland terrace soils (Ruston, Sacul) have water tables at 3-6 feet. Floodplain and bottom soils have water tables at or above the surface during wet seasons. Shreveport's position in the Red River valley means that backwater flooding from the Red River can raise water tables across large areas during major flood events.

Local Regulations

LDH District 7 administers the State Sanitary Code for Caddo Parish. The Caddo Parish Police Jury (the parish governing body) coordinates with LDH on local enforcement. Northwest Louisiana's better soil conditions relative to south Louisiana mean that conventional septic systems are viable on a higher percentage of lots — soil evaluation determines which system type is required. ATUs are mandatory when soil conditions prohibit conventional disposal. Caddo Parish properties near Caddo Lake (a nationally significant cypress-tupelo swamp ecosystem that straddles the Texas border) face additional environmental review under LDNR and USFWS oversight. The Caddo Lake watershed is listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Caddo Parish septic permits are issued by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) District 7 Office in Shreveport under the State Sanitary Code Chapter 13. Shreveport's urban core and Bossier City across the Red River are served by municipal sewer, but significant areas of Caddo Parish — Oil City, Greenwood, Mooringsport, and unincorporated communities — rely on on-site systems. Both conventional septic systems (more viable in NW Louisiana's better-drained uplands than in south Louisiana) and ATUs are used. ATUs are mandatory where soil conditions preclude conventional disposal. Maintenance contracts are required for all ATUs. System inspection and approval is coordinated between LDH and the local Caddo Parish Health Unit.

Frequently Asked Questions — Shreveport

Can I install a conventional septic system (not an ATU) in Caddo Parish?
Yes, on suitable soils. Unlike south Louisiana where ATUs are essentially universal, Caddo Parish has upland terrace areas with Ruston and Sacul fine sandy loam soils that can support conventional gravity trench systems. An LDH-licensed designer must conduct a site evaluation — soil boring and percolation test — to determine which system type is required. If your lot has poorly drained soils (Caddo, Wrightsville, or Bossier series), an ATU will be required. If you have well-drained upland soil, a conventional system may be approved, potentially saving several thousand dollars in installation costs.
How does Shreveport's ice storm risk affect my on-site septic system?
Shreveport's location makes it periodically vulnerable to ice storms — freezing rain events that coat everything with ice. For above-grade ATU components (spray heads, air compressors, control panels), ice can cause mechanical damage and freeze spray orifices. After an ice storm, inspect your ATU spray heads and control panel for damage. Spray head orifices can be cleaned with warm water. Control panels should be checked for alarm conditions. Electrical connections should be inspected for moisture intrusion. Most ATU components are rated for ambient temperatures well below freezing, but the mechanical stress of ice accumulation can shorten their lifespan.
My Caddo Parish property is near Caddo Lake — are there special septic rules?
Yes. Caddo Lake is a designated Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention and contains one of the largest remaining old-growth cypress forests in the United States. Properties near Caddo Lake and its backwater areas face additional environmental review from the Louisiana DNR Coastal Zone Management Program, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Army Corps of Engineers for any ground disturbance. LDH will require enhanced setbacks and possibly alternative treatment technologies for systems near Caddo Lake's wetland margins. Contact the LDH District 7 office early in your planning process for any project near the lake.
What does septic pumping cost in the Shreveport, Louisiana area?
Septic pumping in Caddo Parish runs $175 to $300 for a standard residential tank — lower than north Louisiana's costs reflect the region's lower overall cost of living compared to the northeast US. For ATU systems, the annual maintenance contract typically costs $150-$300 per year and includes the required annual inspection. Pumping of ATU tanks is usually recommended every 3-5 years depending on system size and household loading.
How do I find a licensed septic system designer in Shreveport, Louisiana?
The Louisiana Department of Health maintains a registry of licensed Professional Engineers and registered sanitarians who are authorized to design on-site sewage systems. Contact the LDH District 7 Office in Shreveport for a referral list. The Louisiana Engineering Society and the Louisiana Environmental Health Association are additional resources. For ATU systems, manufacturers often maintain lists of certified installers in the Shreveport area. Ensure any designer you hire is current on Louisiana LDH licensing requirements.

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