We pump out septic tanks and holding tanks, install septic tanks and biological wastewater treatment plants (BIO plants) and build service pipes to the network. Since 2023, the municipal police in Saulkrasti Municipality have been checking for unregistered systems, so on this page we also explain the local rules.
A town along the sea: one address, very different trips
Saulkrasti stretches along the sea and the A1, so a “Saulkrasti” address can mean very different trips, depending on whether the house is at the Riga end or the northern end of the town. Give the exact address in your request so that we can calculate the travel (~€1/km outside Riga) correctly. It is about 40 km to the centre of Riga in a straight line, so travel makes up a larger share of the bill here than on the outskirts of Riga.
In summer, traffic, parking and access to seaside properties are more difficult. If you can choose, plan pumping before or after the summer season: the truck can then reach the gate more easily, and the tank is empty just when the house has the most people in it.
Summer house, permanent home or guest house: a different system for each
Seasonal use is the most important factor in choosing a system in Saulkrasti.
- A summer house used for a few months. A biological treatment plant needs a continuous inflow and electricity, and during long breaks the bacterial culture weakens. For a house like this, a septic tank for a summer house or a small holding tank is often a better fit.
- A permanent home. If the soil drains, a septic tank with a drain field is suitable. If the water can't be treated in the ground, a BIO plant is chosen.
- A guest house or rental property. In summer the load can be considerably higher than in winter, so the volume is calculated for the maximum number of guests, not the average. For commercial sites: treatment plants for businesses.
A broader comparison: septic tank or BIO plant.
Dunes, pines and sandy soil
Near the dunes and the coastal pine forests, the soil is usually sandy, but it has to be checked on the specific plot. Sand lets water through well, so a drain field works in it. That's exactly why the water going from the septic tank into the ground must be properly settled: if the septic tank isn't pumped out in time, sludge flows on into the field and clogs the drains, and then the field has to be rebuilt.
On the coast, the sea wind and salty air also have to be taken into account. Metal lids and fixings rust faster there, so during pumping we inspect the lid and tell you if it is no longer safe. In winter, it's worth checking a summer house's lid before snow covers it.
Saulkrasti Municipality's rules and inspections
| Requirement | In Saulkrasti Municipality |
|---|---|
| Register | Systems are registered by the municipality itself; the declaration form (Annex 1 to the regulations) is at saulkrasti.lv |
| How to submit | In the municipal post box in Saulkrasti or Sēja parish, by post, or by e-mail with a secure e-signature and time stamp |
| Septic tank | At least once a year |
| Holding tank | According to water consumption and volume, but no less than once a year; watering water is deducted only with a separate meter |
| Without a water meter | Consumption is calculated using norms, for example 1.5 m³ a month per person if the water comes from a local well or borehole |
| BIO plant | According to the manufacturer's documentation |
| Pumping contractors | Only those registered with the municipality; the service may not be provided with a tractor-towed tank |
| Change of ownership | After a sale or other changes, the data are updated within a month |
Since September 2023, the municipal police have been checking properties for unregistered systems, and the municipality may also ask for pumping documents. An individual can be fined up to 100 fine units, which the municipality states as up to €500. If your system isn't registered yet, it's worth doing before the season. If you don't know the volume, we'll determine it during pumping.
Sources: Saulkrasti Municipal Council Binding Regulations No. 4/2022 (points 4.1, 6, 11–13, 15–17.1, 20–22, 24) (likumi.lv); Binding Regulations No. 5/2022, Annex 2 and point 3 (likumi.lv); saulkrasti.lv: registering systems; pumping service providers; municipal police inspections, 19.09.2023. Checked on 30 October 2026.
Connecting to the network and support in 2026
In Saulkrasti, new or rebuilt buildings, as well as existing buildings with a non-compliant decentralised system, must connect to the mains sewer if the network is available. In 2026, municipal support is only available to needy or low-income households: 100% of the costs, up to €3,500 including VAT for the external sewer connection, and separately for the water supply pipe.
The application is submitted to Saulkrastu komunālserviss. The completed networks must be presented by 20 November 2026, and no support is paid after 31 December; the programme budget is €15,000. The broader programme with 50% support for all residents ended on 1 January 2026. We build service pipes from €25/m, and the steps are described on the page connecting to the mains sewer.
Cafés and guest houses in season
Summer cafés and guest houses with a kitchen need to keep an eye on their grease trap. In season it fills up faster, and a clogged trap smells just when there are the most guests, so it's worth scheduling cleaning before the season and in the middle of it. If a guest house has its own treatment plant, its maintenance is best done in spring, before the load increases.
Prices and services in Saulkrasti
- Septic tank pumping in Saulkrasti: from €75 (up to 4 m³), from €90 (up to 6 m³).
- Dry toilet pumping for summer houses.
- Septic tank installation with the tank and installation: from €2,200.
- BIO plant maintenance: from €160.
- Travel outside Riga: ~€1/km.
Nearby areas
In this direction, we also work in Ādaži, Vangaži and Sigulda, as well as in Riga. All areas: where we work.