Emptying a large 10 m³ (2,640-gallon) septic tank in Yaoundé costs between 80,000 and 150,000 CFA francs ($140-$260), depending on the distance between the treatment plant and the site.

When these pumps turn on, the costs can go up. “It’s possible to get as much as 2,000 gallons out of a 1,000-gallon septic tank. So that creates more a financial burden on the customers," Frye said.

The new system has two 1,000-gallon grease traps, a 1,000-gallon septic tank, two 1,500-gallon overflow tanks and two large sand filters. The business says it paid $360-$650 per week for nine months ...

Robert Fiedler, left, and Josh Franke, of A-1 Septic in Rapid City, unroll the suction hose preparing to drain a septic tank on Monday morning, March 29th, 2010. (Toby Brusseau/Journal staff) ...

Cabin Obsession’s’ septic tank treatment comes with 12 prepackaged doses to be used in a 1,000-gallon tank on a monthly basis, totaling a full year of septic tank protection.

Larger homes or those with greater sewage disposal needs will require larger tanks, which can cost upwards of $1,400 for a 1,000-gallon tank, which is suitable for a three-bedroom house.

The product line includes 500- to 1,500-gallon septic tanks, 600- to 1700-gallon cisterns, and 550- to 5000-gallon water tanks. VPC also has added multi-use tanks and chemical tanks.

You can make out the dome beneath a mound of earth, a chicken coop, a chimney, two 1,000-gallon water tanks and some of the 120 food-storage barrels Dean found strewn throughout the property.

For a septic tank under 1,000 gallons, the tank itself will likely cost between $500 and $1,200, according to HomeAdvisor, while a tank that’s 1,000 gallons is more likely to cost $900 to $1,500.