For a 5-bedroom house with a garbage disposal, what is the minimum size septic tank required by code?

The minimum size septic tank required for a residential property typically depends on the number of bedrooms in the house, as this is a key determinant of the wastewater volume that will be produced. In the case of a 5-bedroom house, building codes often stipulate a minimum tank size to ensure effective waste management and treatment.

A septic tank size of 1500 gallons is commonly required for a house of this size, which provides adequate capacity for both daily usage and potential unforeseen increases in wastewater production, such as during gatherings or holidays. This larger size helps to maintain a sufficient retention time for solids to settle and for effective aerobic and anaerobic breakdown of waste materials, reducing the risk of system failure or backflows.

The other options, while they may seem viable, do not meet the code requirements for a 5-bedroom house. For example, a 1000-gallon tank might be appropriate for smaller homes, while a 1200-gallon tank is often seen in homes with fewer bedrooms. Therefore, the 1500-gallon minimum ensures proper operation and compliance with plumbing regulations, making it the correct choice.