Restaurant Septic & Wastewater Systems
Opening a restaurant without public sewer? Dealing with an existing restaurant septic system that can’t keep up? Commercial food-service wastewater requires more planning than a typical residential septic project.
Digger Dave helps restaurant owners, property owners and developers move onsite wastewater projects from the initial problem through design coordination, repair, replacement and installation.
Restaurant Wastewater Is Different
A restaurant isn’t simply a larger house with more toilets.
Kitchens, dishwashing, food preparation, cleaning, customer traffic, employees and concentrated operating hours can create wastewater characteristics and usage patterns that are very different from a typical residence.
That means the onsite wastewater system needs to be planned around the actual business and property rather than relying on a residential septic approach.
Building or Opening a Restaurant Without Public Sewer?
Get the wastewater system involved early.
Before the building plan is finalized, the property needs enough room and an appropriate path for handling the wastewater the restaurant is expected to generate.
The proposed use, site conditions, expected wastewater flow, kitchen operation, treatment needs and available dispersal area can all affect the final system.
Digger Dave can help get the onsite wastewater side of the project moving while you are still in the planning stage.
Restaurant Septic System Design
Commercial onsite wastewater projects may require professional design or engineering based on the property, wastewater characteristics, system type and applicable requirements.
Digger Dave can coordinate the additional design and engineering needed for the project and then install the system according to the approved plans.
If you already have an engineered design, send it to us. We can review the construction scope and help move the project toward installation.
Restaurant Grease & Wastewater
Food-service wastewater can contain fats, oils, grease and food solids that need to be considered when planning and operating the wastewater system.
Grease management and pretreatment requirements depend on the facility and applicable requirements, but they should be considered as part of the overall wastewater plan—not after the septic system begins having problems.
If you’re converting an existing building into a restaurant, don’t assume the existing septic system was designed for food-service wastewater simply because the building already has plumbing.
Restaurant Septic System Problems
A septic problem at a restaurant can quickly become a business problem.
- Slow or backing-up drains
- High-water alarms
- Pump failures
- Recurring septic pumping
- Wet or saturated areas outside
- Sewage surfacing on the property
- Septic odors
- Damaged tanks or piping
- A drain field that no longer accepts wastewater properly
- An existing system that is inadequate for the current use
The goal is to identify whether the problem is a repairable component, an operational issue, a failing dispersal area or a system that needs a larger solution.
Restaurant Septic Repair
Not every restaurant wastewater problem requires a completely new system.
Depending on the problem, repairs may involve pumps, floats, controls, alarms, piping, tanks or other system components.
If the problem extends into the treatment or dispersal portion of the system, additional evaluation may be needed before deciding whether repair, restoration, modification or replacement makes sense.
Restaurant Septic System Replacement
If an existing restaurant septic system has failed or can no longer adequately serve the property, replacement may be necessary.
A replacement system should be planned around the current property and business—not simply copied from whatever was installed years ago.
Changes in restaurant use, seating, kitchen operation, site layout or wastewater demand may affect the appropriate replacement system.
Digger Dave can help move the project from evaluation through the required design process and into installation.
Buying a Property for a Restaurant?
If the property depends on onsite wastewater, investigate that before assuming your restaurant concept will work there.
An existing septic system may have served a house, office, retail business or another use with very different wastewater demands.
Changing the use of the building can change the wastewater question.
Before investing heavily in the property or buildout, determine what the site may require for the proposed restaurant operation.
Converting an Existing Building Into a Restaurant?
This is exactly when the septic system needs attention early.
The fact that an existing onsite wastewater system has served the building doesn’t necessarily mean it is appropriate for a restaurant.
Before the remodel is too far along, determine whether the existing wastewater system can be part of the new use or whether changes will be needed.
Advanced Wastewater Systems for Restaurants
Some commercial properties require more than a basic gravity septic system.
Depending on the approved design, a restaurant wastewater system may incorporate treatment, pumping, controls, alarms, pressure distribution or other advanced components.
Digger Dave installs advanced onsite wastewater systems and can work from professionally prepared plans to build the system the property requires.
Restaurant Wastewater Project Process
- Tell us about the property and restaurant. New construction, conversion, expansion, repair or replacement.
- Review the site and existing information. Existing system records, property plans and wastewater needs can help establish the starting point.
- Obtain needed site information. Soil and site evaluation may be required depending on the project.
- Complete the required design or engineering. Digger Dave can help coordinate this stage when needed.
- Address permits and approvals. Requirements depend on the project and jurisdiction.
- Install the system. Digger Dave handles the onsite wastewater construction according to the approved project plans.
Already Have an Engineered Wastewater Design?
Send it to us.
If the engineering, design or permitting work has already been completed, Digger Dave can review the construction documents and discuss the installation.
We’re happy to enter the project at the construction stage rather than requiring you to restart work that has already been completed.
One Call for the Wastewater Side of the Project
Restaurant owners already have enough contractors, suppliers, inspectors and project details to manage.
You shouldn’t also have to become an onsite wastewater expert just to figure out who to call first.
Start with Digger Dave. We can help identify the next wastewater step, coordinate additional qualified professionals when required and carry the project into construction.
Restaurant Septic & Wastewater Systems Throughout Northwest Missouri
Digger Dave works with restaurant and commercial onsite wastewater projects throughout Northwest Missouri and the Kansas City area, including the Kansas City Northland and communities throughout our broader service area.
If you’re planning a restaurant, converting a property or dealing with an existing wastewater problem, send us the property address and a description of the project.
Restaurant Septic & Wastewater FAQs
Can a restaurant use a septic system?
Restaurants can use onsite wastewater systems where appropriate, but the system needs to account for the actual property, wastewater characteristics, expected flow and applicable requirements.
Can I use the existing septic system when converting a building into a restaurant?
Don’t assume an existing system is suitable simply because it served the previous use. A restaurant can create substantially different wastewater conditions, so the proposed use and existing system should be evaluated.
Does a restaurant need a grease interceptor?
Grease management requirements depend on the facility, plumbing design and applicable requirements. Food-service wastewater should be evaluated as part of the overall wastewater design rather than treated like ordinary residential wastewater.
Can you replace a failed restaurant septic system?
Yes. The replacement process may require site information, wastewater design or engineering before construction. Digger Dave can help move the project through those stages and install the approved system.
Can you repair restaurant septic pumps and components?
Digger Dave handles septic repair work including pumps, floats, controls, piping and other onsite wastewater components. The first step is determining what is actually causing the problem.
Do you design restaurant wastewater systems?
Commercial projects may require professional design or engineering. Digger Dave can coordinate the appropriate design work when needed and install the system according to the approved plans.
When should I call about a new restaurant project?
Early. If the property will depend on onsite wastewater, involve the wastewater side of the project before the building and site plan are completely locked in.
Planning a Restaurant or Dealing With a Wastewater Problem?
Call Digger Dave early. We’ll help determine what the property needs, coordinate the appropriate next steps and move the wastewater project toward a working solution.