10 Best Septic Tank Alarms in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you have a dedicated septic system, you probably understand that proper maintenance alone cannot guarantee zero backups or overflows. Bacterial issues or even design flaws can cause abrupt rising levels of wastewater.

Septic tank alarms are essential components of any sewerage system. They are designed to detect dangerous water levels and alert you through an audible or visual alarm. The alarms go off before a problem becomes a serious threat that can damage your property. Essentially, they can save you from forking out thousands of dollars to clean out real nasties.

Are you looking for the best septic tank alarms? We did in-depth research to unveil the ten best products. These alarms genuinely excel in their accuracy in measuring the health of your system and notifying you ahead of time.

Check them out!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		In/Outdoor High Water Alarm for Septic/Sump/Pond	Solid construction for maximum longevity Powerful audio and visual alerts Easy installation	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Superior Pump 92060 Sump Alarm System with 15-Foot Tethered Float Swit	Effective and easy to install Convenient test button Affordable	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Sump Alarm Wi-Fi Water Sensor & Septic Alarm	Durable with a rugged build Visual and 90-decibel audio alerts Alerts via email, text, or voice note	CHECK PRICE
		High / Low Water Level Sensor Detector Alarm	Low-power battery design Loud 120 decibel horn Affordable	CHECK PRICE
		CSH Incorporated High or Low Water Alarm	User-friendly design Fast and easy installation 9 Volt backup battery included	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Septic Tank Alarms

1. In/Outdoor High Water Alarm for Septic/Sump/Pond — Best Overall

The In/Outdoor High Water Alarm is our best overall product for several reasons. First, it works efficiently yet is reasonably priced compared to other similar products. Second, it has a rugged build capable of enduring up to 140 degrees F. This assures you of maximum longevity and great value for your money.

Installing this alarm is a breeze because it comes with various anchor hardware, including integrated mounting eyelets. Whether you install it in your sump tank, septic tank, or lift station tank, the 90 decibels horn is loud enough to wake you from sleep and alert you of a looming problem. The alarm also has an LED light, allowing you to benefit from both visual and audible alerts.

Unfortunately, the In/Outdoor High Water Alarm does not have a backup battery. You are only assured of timely alerts when there is power.

2. Superior Pump 92060 Sump Alarm System with 15-Foot Tethered Float Switch — Best Value

If you are looking for great value for the money, we recommend investing in the Superior Pump 92060. It is an indoor septic tank alarm designed for installation away from weather elements. Apart from having an attractive price tag, we chose it for its effectiveness in monitoring liquid levels in water applications, including sump and sewage basins.

Furthermore, the Superior Pump 92060 is easy to install and comes with thermoplastic mounting brackets and a clamp. You’ll also appreciate the test button that allows you to take the alarm on a quick test run.

Another great feature is the 87 Decibel alarm horn that ensures you know when your tank has a concern. It’s a huge perk that you can hear the alarm irrespective of where you are in your home. This product also has a 9-volt backup battery, although you have to purchase it separately.

3. Sump Alarm Wi-Fi Water Sensor & Septic Alarm — Premium Choice

Considering the degree of damage that a wastewater backup can cause, it makes sense to invest in a premium-quality septic tank alarm. The Sump Alarm Wi-Fi Water Sensor & Septic Alarm fits the bill for its alarm alert options. Apart from the onsite visual and 90-decibel audio alerts, you will receive an email alert. This ensures you are notified about a potential problem from anywhere in the world.

Moreover, you can subscribe to the Sump Alarm Wi-Fi Water Sensor service to receive instant texts or voice notes on your smartphone. You never have to worry about water levels reaching a dangerous stage without your knowledge.

It’s also worth noting that this alarm has a rugged build for enhanced durability. The patented Wi-Fi capabilities also leave you with many features you will not find in standard septic alarms. For instance, a server-side backup alerts you of slow internet connections or power loss. As expected, this premium product attracts a premium price tag.

4. High / Low Water Level Sensor Detector Alarm

If you are looking for a no-frills septic tank alarm that works beautifully, the High / Low Water Level Sensor Detector is an ideal option. Apart from having a very attractive price tag, it also features a low-power design. With a – 9V replaceable battery power supply, you never have to worry about hefty power bills.

Furthermore, this product delivers a red light visual alarm and a 120-decibel audio alert. You can adjust to a lower volume, especially if there’s only a short distance between your home and the septic tank. A potential drawback you should know is that dwindling battery power can cause a weaker horn sound. Timely replacement of a low battery is crucial to protecting your home from possible overflows.

The High / Low Water Level Sensor Detector is designed for multipurpose use. Depending on your needs, you can set it to alert you when water levels rise or drop. Moreover, you can use it for multiple applications, including your septic tank, fish tank, laundry area, swimming pool, and more!

5. CSH Incorporated High or Low Water Alarm

Septic tank alarms with a user-friendly design have a unique appeal. One product that works as advertised and promises easy installation and operation is the CSH Incorporated High or Low water alarm. Installation should take you at most 10 minutes because the device plugs right into a wall outlet. It also comes with convenient attachment straps to further simplify installs.

The CSH Incorporated High or Low water alarm requires AC power. However, it also comes with a backup battery offering up to 36 hours of runtime in case of a blackout. With a 90-decibel sound alarm, you are assured of receiving an alert irrespective of the size of your home.

Operation-wise, this septic alarm doesn’t leave you with much of a wish list. It even has a silent switch, a welcome feature in case of false alarms. Unfortunately, there have been a few quality concern issues related to the device setting off nuisance alerts.

6. SJE Rhombus 1009923 Tank Alert

Because the SJE Rhombus 1009923 is mechanically engineered not to be sensitive to turbulence or rotation, you can use it in different water applications. This device can effectively monitor water levels in sump pump basins, sewerage systems, pump chambers, holding tanks, and more.

Installation is easy and fast, thanks to the standard mounting clamps included in the package, and you can install it indoors or outdoors. Use the test switch to confirm proper connections. When triggered, the horn delivers an 85-decibel sound at 10 feet, ensuring you can hear the alert throughout your home.

Furthermore, a trigger will set off a visual alert of a red light flashing from the beacon. The device automatically disarms these visual and audio alerts once the situation is amended. You can also flip the horn silence switch. As expected, this device comes at a steeper price tag.

7. PROTEUS Wi-Fi Water Level Monitor Sensor

The PROTEUS Wi-Fi Water Level Monitor Sensor is a cloud-enabled device that alerts you when water levels in your septic tank cross the safe threshold. Installation is as easy as plugging the beacon directly into a wall outlet using the back-mount power plugs.

The package also includes Velcro straps and a mounting clamp for added convenience.

Once connected to your Wi-Fi, you can program the device to receive notifications if water levels rise or drop below a specified level. Note that you need a strong internet connection for the alarm to work as intended. Consider the distance from your septic tank to your router and ensure the septic tank alarm will receive at least a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection.

You can program multiple Wi-Fi networks, ensuring that the alarm can pick the strongest connection. Any concerns with the health of your septic tank will trigger an 85-decibel buzzer. You will also receive free notifications via text or email. PROTEUS Wi-Fi Water Level Monitor Sensor can also send call alerts, although you’ll need to subscribe to the service.

8. Level Sense High Water Alarm

The Level Sense High Water Alarm uses AC power as the primary power source. However, it also has a convenient backup battery to cover you during blackouts. The battery is self-recharging and offers up to 1-week runtime without AC power. If the water levels in your septic tank rise, this device sends out a “grand” alarm with a piercing 120-decibel siren.

The loud siren is a nice feature, especially if you are worried about not receiving timely alerts. It is loud enough to be heard from anywhere in your home. Also, a convenient siren silence switch allows you to disable the alarm as you work on addressing the flagged problem.

Installing this septic tank alarm is relatively easy, and all parts, including mounting clamps and straps, come packed in the box. However, first-time DIYers installing septic tank alarms can encounter challenges, mainly because the installation instructions aren’t clear.

9. Level Sense PRO- Wi-Fi Enabled High Water Alarm

The Level Sense PRO- Wi-Fi Enabled High Water Alarm can use AC power or the internal self-recharging battery. An aspect that gives the product an edge is that its battery is self-recharging, unlike regular alkaline batteries. Regular checking or changing is unnecessary, and the Lithium Polymer battery stores enough power to keep the alarm working for up to a week without AC power.

With a Wi-Fi-enabled device, you can monitor the sensor to check water levels, humidity, power outage, and more in real-time. The Level Sense PRO- Wi-Fi Enabled High Water Alarm has well-designed apps for Android and iOS apps, making it easy to constantly check on the conditions of your sump or septic tank.

Apart from the loud audio siren, this device also sends alerts about possible overflows via email and text. The only potential drawback is that it doesn’t support Wi-Fi passwords with special characters.

10. Zoeller 10-0623 A-Pak Indoor/Outdoor Alarm System

Water damage repairs can cost a fortune. Having a septic alarm system prone to damage is just as bad as having no sewerage overflow alarm. Zoeller 10-0623 stands out for its rugged construction that assures maximum durability and years of service. The device can last for over a decade with proper installation and routine maintenance.

The installation process is simple. You can have your septic alarm active in less than 10 minutes. Because of the quality construction of this device, it is suitable for both residential and commercial use.

The Zoeller 10-0623 delivers audio and visual alerts if it senses high water conditions. The 82-decibel horn is loud enough, irrespective of whether you install the alarm indoors or outdoors. For such a well-designed septic tank alarm, it’s a shame that it does not come with a backup battery.

Buyer’s Guide: What to Consider When Choosing a Septic Tank Alarm

Septic tank alarms are designed to notify you when something is amiss with your sewerage system’s health. They activate when the conditions in your sewerage system stray from their normal range. A notification is typically not a cause for panic, and you have at least a day to investigate and address the flagged concern.

Septic tank alarms have three main components; a float or gauge, beacon, and horn, buzzer, or siren. Some systems allow you to mute audible notifications and instead be notified of septic system concerns through your tablet, smartphone, or computer.

That said, here are four crucial aspects to consider when choosing an alarm ideal for your septic tank.

Type

There are different types of septic systems that can be installed next to the tank, mounted on a wall in your home, or outside it. The ideal system will depend on the location of the larger sewerage control system and the intended power source.

The main options you have include the following.

One of the common options available is the outdoor septic tank alarm. It boasts a waterproof enclosure, ensuring it doesn’t sustain damage from weather elements. The outdoor septic alarm can be installed on a post, next to your home, or mounted on an exterior wall.

In case of rising water levels, the float switch installed inside the tank will trigger the alarm box. This will send off a buzzer or alarm light to notify you of potential concerns.

Indoor septic tank alarms lack a waterproof enclosure and should be installed away from weather elements.

Some ideal installation spots include inside your home, utility shed, or garage. Again, they will feature a float switch inside the tank that connects to the alarm box. The alarm will send off flashing lights or a siren if something is amiss with your sewerage system.

Like outdoor septic tank alarms, pedestal alarms should also be installed outdoors.

A wireless septic alarm will save you from trenching up your landscape to install the wired connections from the flat switch to the alarm box. Wi-Fi-enabled septic alarms transmit a signal up to 3,000 feet to the alarm box. You will be notified via email or text if something is off with your septic tank’s health.

Monitoring & Alarm Management Options

Irrespective of your chosen septic tank alarm, it will offer some setup for deactivating false alarms, disarming the system, etc. For instance, receiving “nuisance alerts” is typical if the float is improperly installed or needs adjustments or replacement. Understanding how to operate the alarm unit or respond to the alarm signal is imperative.

Some systems have control panels with silence buttons, while others have an “on” and “off” switch. Also, some septic tank alarms have convenient apps that can turn your smartphone, tablet, or computer into a digital command center. Ensure you are comfortable with the available mode of operation. Also, always determine the cause of the alarm going off before you assume it’s a nuisance alert.

Costs

When calculating the overall cost of a septic tank alarm, it is necessary also to consider the installation cost. The equipment prices vary widely from brand to brand. While it is crucial to consider your budget, you must also take note of the cost of maintaining a specific system in the long haul.

FAQs

What Do I Do If My Septic Tank Alarm Goes Off?

Septic systems are complex structures, making it crucial to rely on the help of a skilled septic professional if your alarm goes off. It is imperative to have your tank’s health diagnosed, and the issue of concern addressed within the least time possible. If you receive nuisance alerts, the septic specialist can help troubleshoot and fix the problem.

What Will Happen if I Ignore a Septic Tank Alarm Notification?

Your septic tank alarm going off doesn’t necessarily imply you have an emergency. However, you may have a problem that needs addressing in at least 24 hours. Ignoring an alert can have devastating consequences depending on where your septic tank is located and its design. A wastewater overflow could cause flooding in your yard or backup inside your home. It’s always better to play safe.

What Is the Longevity of Septic Tank Alarms?

On average, well-maintained septic alarm systems last between 15 and 20 years. You can ensure your system lives through the intended lifespan by scheduling inspections at least once a year. Changing faulty components is often inexpensive, especially when compared to the expense of replacing the entire alarm system.

Final Thoughts

Septic systems depend on various biological and mechanical processes to function as intended. While routine maintenance helps reduce the risk of overflows, even well-maintained systems are not immune to backups. We have listed ten trusted septic tank alarms engineered to activate and notify you when a wastewater backup or overflow is likely.

If you want an affordable system that can save you from the stress of wastewater backup, consider our best overall alarm. The In/Outdoor High Water Alarm boasts rugged construction for maximum durability and a loud 90-decibel horn. Our premium pick, the Sump Alarm Wi-Fi Water Sensor & Septic Alarm, offers the ultimate convenience with alerts via email, text, and voice notes. However, if you are on a budget, we recommend the Superior Pump 92060 Sump Alarm System.

Featured Image Credit: Yuri Snegur, Shutterstock