Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.
How AI Impacts Each Task
23 tasks analyzed
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.
Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.
Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.
Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.
Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.
Rotate cleaning rods manually, using turning pins.
Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.
Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings, stopping machines and changing knives to conform to pipe sizes.
Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.
Update sewer maps and manhole charts.
Cover repaired pipes with dirt, and pack backfilled excavations, using air and gasoline tampers.
Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.
Requisition or order tools and equipment.
Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels.
Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.
Pump, clean, and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 5% | |
| Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 10% | |
| Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 5% | |
| Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 10% | |
| Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% | |
| Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 3% | |
| Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 4% | |
| Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 3% | |
| Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes. | 30Estimated | 39.0% | 4% | |
| Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines. | 25Estimated | 37.0% | 3% | |
| Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 2% | |
| Rotate cleaning rods manually, using turning pins. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 2% | |
| Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 2% | |
| Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings, stopping machines and changing knives to conform to pipe sizes. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 3% | |
| Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Update sewer maps and manhole charts. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Cover repaired pipes with dirt, and pack backfilled excavations, using air and gasoline tampers. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 3% | |
| Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 4% | |
| Requisition or order tools and equipment. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Pump, clean, and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis