Mountain septic is its own kind of work. Lots are steep, the ground is full of rock and granite, and roads are narrow and winding. For part of the year there's snow on top of all of it. Plenty of cabins only get used on weekends or in certain seasons, and that changes how a system behaves.
Valley Drilling Co is a family-owned, C-42 licensed septic contractor, in business since 1950. Call (909) 795-6164. A real person answers 7 days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, and after-hours emergency calls are answered too.
Are You on Septic or Sewer?
It depends on where your place is. Some mountain neighborhoods, including parts of the Big Bear Valley and Lake Arrowhead, are served by local sewer districts. Many cabins and homes outside those areas are on septic. If you're not sure, look at your water or sewer bill, check your property records, or ask the local district. You can also call us and we'll help you sort it out.
Pumping on Steep Lots and Tight Roads
Getting a truck close to the tank is often the hardest part of a mountain pump-out. When you call, tell us about the driveway: how steep it is, whether there's room to turn around, and how far the tank sits from where a truck can park. That lets us plan the visit before we head up the hill.
Marking the lid, or uncovering it if you can, saves time. Once we're there we pump the tank, check the sludge and scum layers, and give you an honest interval for next time. Our septic tank pumping page explains what a visit covers.
Winter, Snow and Seasonal Cabins
Snow buries lids and blocks driveways, and frozen ground is harder to dig. If you can, plan routine pumping for the months when roads are clear rather than waiting for a problem in January. Before winter, mark your lids with a tall stake so they can be found under snow.
Freezing is a real concern for shallow or exposed lines, especially at cabins that sit empty. A system that gets little use has less warm water moving through it. Insulating exposed pipe and keeping lids sealed both help.
Seasonal cabins usually fill a tank slower than a full-time home. Holiday weekends are the exception, when a full house can push a lot of water through a small system in a short time. If you rent your cabin out, a short note about what not to flush is worth posting.
Repairs and Replacements on Rocky, Sloped Lots
Rock, granite and slope limit where a leach line or seepage pit can go, so a replacement usually takes more planning here than on flat ground. We start by finding the actual problem. When a repair will do, we say so. When the system needs replacing, testing comes first, and PERC results shape the design.
In the unincorporated San Bernardino County mountain areas, septic permits go through San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services. The City of Big Bear Lake is incorporated, so there it's the city or county, depending on the property. Idyllwild is in Riverside County, where the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health oversees septic. We coordinate the design and the permits, and when the county requires stamped plans, an outside licensed engineer stamps them.
Escrow Inspections for Cabin Sales
Cabins change hands, and buyers and lenders often want a septic inspection before close of escrow. A cabin that sat empty for years can hide a tank nobody has opened in a long time. We pump it, check the tank and the disposal area, and report what we found. See escrow inspections and certification. If you're adding a guest unit, read our ADU septic page first.
Areas We Cover
Mountain Septic Questions
Do you pump septic tanks in the mountains during winter?
We schedule mountain work around road and driveway conditions. Snow and ice can limit when a truck can safely reach a property, so call and we'll talk through access. Routine pumping is easiest to plan for the warmer months.
How do I know if my cabin is on septic or sewer?
Some mountain areas are on sewer through a local district, and many cabins are on septic. Check your water or sewer bill and your property records, or ask the district that serves your area. If you're still not sure, call us.
My cabin sits empty most of the year. How often does it need pumping?
Usually less often than a full-time home, but it depends on tank size and how hard the place gets used when people are there. A cabin with frequent weekend guests or renters can need it more often than you'd expect. After a pump-out we'll give you an honest interval.
Who issues septic permits in Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead and Idyllwild?
In unincorporated San Bernardino County mountain areas, it's San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services. In the City of Big Bear Lake, it's the city or county, depending on the property. Idyllwild falls under the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health.
Septic help for your mountain home?
Call (909) 795-6164. We answer 7 days, 8 AM–8 PM, and after-hours emergencies are answered too.
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Nearby
The mountain towns are part of our San Bernardino County service area, and Idyllwild is covered on our Riverside County page. Down the hill from Oak Glen and Forest Falls, we pump tanks in Yucaipa, and over the Cajon Pass we serve the High Desert. For specific services, see septic tank pumping, leach line repair, seepage pits, escrow inspections, PERC testing and septic for ADUs.
More answers on our Septic FAQ, or read about our company.