By Absolute Excavating LLC · October 25, 2026 · Colorado Springs, CO

Septic Excavation in El Paso County: What Tank and Drain Field Replacement Involve

Septic excavation is the digging behind every septic tank replacement, drain field repair and new install: locating lines, exposing and pumping the old tank, removing it, setting the new one and backfilling after the county inspects. Fixr's 2025 data puts a full tank replacement, including removal of the old tank, at $9,500–$15,000, and drain field replacement at $2,000–$20,000.

Point	Details
Tank replacement	$9,500–$15,000 including removal of the old tank (Fixr, 2025)
Drain field replacement	$2,000–$20,000 (Fixr, 2025)
Drain field rejuvenation	$1,000–$5,000 when the field can be saved (Fixr, 2025)
County repair permit	$554 minor or $891 major, before surcharges (El Paso County Public Health)
Before any digging	Colorado 811 locate at least 3 business days ahead; private lines are not marked

What does septic excavation include?

A septic dig follows the same order whether it is a tank swap, a field repair or a new system:

Locate everything underground. Colorado 811 marks public utilities for free and must be contacted at least three business days before digging. It does not mark privately owned lines, so the sewer pipe from the house to the tank, the line out to the field and any line to a shop or barn are located separately.
Pump the tank. A tank is pumped before it is opened up, repaired or removed.
Expose the tank and lines. The excavator opens the ground around the tank and the inlet and outlet pipes, with spoil staged so it can go back in.
Remove the old tank and set the new one. The new tank goes in level on a prepared base. Under El Paso County's 2026 rules it must be at least three-quarters bedded before the installation inspection, and risers need secondary safety features.
Inspect, then backfill. The county inspects before the work is covered. After approval, the hole is backfilled, compacted and the yard is put back.

When does a septic tank need replacing instead of repairing?

Replace the tank when the tank itself has failed; repair it when a part has. A cracked or collapsing tank, an old steel tank that has rusted through, or a tank too small for the house are replacements. A broken baffle, a damaged lid or a cracked pipe between the house and the tank are repairs. Fixr's 2025 figures put a baffle at $300–$900, a lid at $150–$500 and a pipe repair at $200–$800, with typical septic repairs running $750–$3,000.

Wet ground or sewage odor over the drain field usually means the field, not the tank, is the problem. Our guide to how long a septic system lasts in El Paso County covers the warning signs and why the field usually fails first.

How much does septic excavation cost?

Job	What's involved	National range
Septic tank replacement	Pump, dig out, remove old tank, set and connect new	$9,500–$15,000
Drain field replacement	Excavate and rebuild the soil treatment area	$2,000–$20,000
Drain field rejuvenation	Restore a clogged field without rebuilding it	$1,000–$5,000
Typical septic repair	Baffle, lid, pipe or pump work	$750–$3,000
Septic riser	Brings the tank lid to grade for access	$300–$600

Ranges: Fixr septic tank repair cost guide (updated January 2025); riser range from LawnStarter's septic tank cost guide (updated August 2023). National data, not a local price list.

For comparison, LawnStarter's 2023 guide puts leach field replacement at $3,375–$12,000 in materials and labor. Our own published starting point is $1,200 for septic repairs and $8,000 for a new install; for the full cost and permit picture on new systems, see septic system installation cost in El Paso County. On a city lot with a sewer lateral instead of a tank, the numbers are different; see sewer line repair cost in Colorado Springs.

Does septic tank replacement need a permit in El Paso County?

Yes. El Paso County Public Health permits septic repairs as well as new systems, and since January 1, 2024 the application has to come from a licensed OWTS installer. The county fee schedule lists a minor repair permit at $554 ($577 with surcharges, 3–5 business days intended processing) and a major repair permit at $891 ($914 with surcharges, 7–10 business days); the scope decides which one applies. A failed inspection that needs another visit is billed at $338.

What makes septic digging harder in El Paso County?

Mixed ground. Dense clay and decomposed granite can sit on the same road, so a tank dig in Falcon and one in Black Forest are different jobs.
Rock. The county's 2026 rules require soil reports on rock-content soils to document excavation difficulty, because rock changes what a site can take and how long the dig runs.
Pressure distribution. Soil types 4A and 5 now require pressure distribution with at least two alternating zones, which means more components in the trench.
Winter. Colorado Springs sits at 6,035 feet, and severe freeze-thaw cycles harden the top of the ground in winter, which slows excavation.
Trees and lots. Wooded, large-lot areas like Black Forest add root and access work around the tank and field.

How do you choose a septic excavation contractor?

Hire a licensed OWTS installer who pulls the county permit, requests the 811 locate, finds the private lines, and puts pumping, backfill and yard restoration in the written quote. Ask to see the license; the county also keeps a list of licensed professionals. The same questions in our guide to choosing an excavation company apply here. For the work itself, start with our septic system installation and repair page.

From the Field — Absolute Excavating

Most septic calls start as "the yard is wet" or "the drains are slow," and the fix is not always a new tank. Matt looks at what actually failed, tells you whether it is a repair, a drain field or a replacement, and puts the price in writing before we dig. Our own crew runs the excavation, the permit is handled, and the yard goes back as part of the job.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to replace a septic tank?

Fixr's 2025 cost data puts a full septic tank replacement, including removal of the old tank, at $9,500 to $15,000 nationally. In El Paso County, add the county repair permit ($554 for a minor repair or $891 for a major repair, before surcharges) and expect rocky or clay ground to take longer to dig.

Do I need a permit to replace a septic tank in El Paso County?

Yes. Septic repairs are permitted by El Paso County Public Health, and since January 1, 2024 the permit application must be submitted by a licensed OWTS installer. The fee schedule has minor and major repair permits; the scope of the job determines which applies, and the work is inspected before backfill.

Does Colorado 811 mark my septic tank and lines?

No. Colorado 811 is a free service that marks public underground utilities such as gas, electric, water, sewer and communication lines, and it must be contacted at least three business days before digging. Privately owned lines, including the pipe from your house to the septic tank, are not included, so they have to be located separately.

Can a drain field be fixed without replacing the whole septic system?

Often, yes. Fixr's 2025 data puts drain field rejuvenation at $1,000 to $5,000 and full drain field replacement at $2,000 to $20,000, both well below the cost of a whole new system. Which one you need depends on why the field failed, which a site assessment shows.

How long does septic tank replacement take?

The county lists 3 to 5 business days to process a minor repair permit and 7 to 10 business days for a major repair permit. The excavation itself is usually a matter of days, not weeks, but rock, frozen ground and a failed inspection that needs a return visit can all add time.

Septic Tank or Field Failing? Get a Straight Answer

Free on-site consultation. Written price before we dig. Permits handled, Matt Peterson on every job. Serving Colorado Springs, Black Forest, Peyton, Falcon & El Paso County.

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