Need septic pumping in Tupman? Call (661) 320-8662 and we'll connect you with a local septic provider who serves the small communities west-southwest of Bakersfield near the Elk Hills. Out here, homes are spread out, so knowing your tank's location and planning ahead saves time.
Tupman at a glance
Tupman is a small census-designated place in Kern County, about 20 miles west-southwest of Bakersfield, at an elevation of about 331 feet. The 2020 census counted 177 residents. It sits at the eastern end of the Elk Hills, about 3 miles northwest of State Route 119.
Tupman's history is tied to oil. According to Wikipedia, Hamer Irwin Tupman held the original oil lease here, and in 1920 Standard Oil bought the land and founded the town; the first post office opened in 1921. In 1932 the Tupman Zoological Reserve was established nearby. Today it is the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve, home to a herd of tule elk, a subspecies native to California.
Company-town homes and older systems
Because Tupman began as an oil company town about a century ago, some homes and lots here have a long history. Older homes in small rural communities often have older septic tanks, sometimes concrete, with buried lids and no risers, and the records may be incomplete after several changes of ownership. If you own a home in Tupman and do not know when the tank was last pumped, plan to have it located, pumped and checked.
If your home's records are thin, start with these steps:
- Ask the previous owner or long-time neighbors where the tank is.
- Look for a cleanout pipe where the sewer line leaves the house.
- Contact Kern County Environmental Health to ask what permit records exist for your address.
- Ask the provider to sketch the tank's location with measurements once it is found.
Our guide on how to find your septic tank lid walks through each of these.
Ground conditions at the edge of the Elk Hills
Tupman sits where the flat valley floor meets the rise of the Elk Hills. Homes on the flat valley side can have slow-draining ground and can see water collect in low spots after the occasional heavy winter storm. Ground that rises toward the hills can send runoff downhill. Either way, the drain field needs to stay as dry as possible between uses, so direct roof gutters and yard runoff away from it.
In summer, the ground here gets very hard and dry. That is good for absorbing wastewater, but it makes digging to a buried tank lid slow. A riser, which brings the lid up to ground level, makes every future visit quicker and is worth asking about.
Planning service in a small, remote community
Tupman is small and spread out, and it is a fair drive from many service yards. That makes routine pumping on a schedule much easier than an urgent call on a weekend. When you call, give clear directions, describe the driveway and where the truck can park, and mention any gates or animals.
Signs you should not wait:
- Slow drains in every sink and tub at once.
- Gurgling toilets or sewage odors outside.
- A soggy or unusually green patch over the drain field in dry weather.
See signs your septic tank is full for more detail.
Keep wildlife and heavy loads in mind
Rural properties near open land see trucks, trailers and equipment. Keep heavy vehicles off the tank and the drain field, and do not build sheds or patios over them. An older concrete lid can crack under weight, and an open or damaged lid is a serious hazard. If a lid looks cracked or loose, keep people and pets away and mention it when you call.
How it works when you call from Tupman
Call (661) 320-8662 with your address in Tupman, what is going on, and anything you know about the tank. We pass your request to an independent local septic provider who serves your area. The provider confirms timing, explains what the visit includes, and gives you a quote before any work begins. We are a referral line, not a septic company, and providers set their own prices and schedules. Providers commonly handle septic pumping, locating buried lids, inspections for home sales, and repairs such as baffles, lids and drain field problems.
Nearby areas
We also take calls from Buttonwillow, Valley Acres, Dustin Acres. See all service locations, our septic articles and the septic FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tupman on a sewer system?
Tupman is a small unincorporated community. Many small rural communities rely on on-site septic; check your property records or Kern County Environmental Health to confirm your home.
My Tupman home is old. What should I do first?
Have the tank located, pumped and checked, and keep a sketch of where it is.
Do providers come out to Tupman?
Call and we'll connect you with a provider who serves the west side; availability varies by day.