Neighbour draining rainwater into my septic tank (Ed.)

[mattylad]

One of these can soon sort out the problem, just bung the right sized one in the neighbours feed and tighten it up.
Can be left in or removed should they finally decide to play ball.

 

[Roy Bloom]

I think you'll find that overflows the world over are designed to cope with inundation.
It's actually an outlet, but to keep it simple I used the word overflow.

Sure, it's an outflow, not an overflow. Apart from the vent pipe there is no overflow.
If that outflow cannot cope with the inflow, what do you think will happen, bearing in mind the tank should always be full anyway, and the tank will naturally be sited for gravity to deliver (and continue to deliver the waste and rain water)?
When and if the contents of the tank are disturbed, especially when it may be nearly full, and the leach field becomes contaminated with solids, what do think will happen?

 

[Roy Bloom]

One of these can soon sort out the problem, just bung the right sized one in the neighbours feed and tighten it up.
Can be left in or removed should they finally decide to play ball.
View attachment 316307

That probably requires digging (after some searching). Whereas separating the guttering is much easier.

 

[Stivino]

Apart from the vent pipe there is no overflow.

The vent pipe is not an overflow.
As I said previously, the outflow is designed to cope with heavy flow.
I know exactly what will happen in all your scenarios, I think it is you who is hard of understanding.

 

[Roy Bloom]

The vent pipe is not an overflow.

That's what I said.

Apart from the vent pipe there is no overflow.

However if the tank is ever inundated, and the water level reaches the top of the vent, that vent becomes an overflow.
Remember, the tank is usually situated to allow gravity to feed it. Gravity can't be turned on or off.

As I said previously, the outflow is designed to cope with heavy flow.

What happens when the leachfield is contaminated by solids?

I know exactly what will happen in all your scenarios,

If you know exactly what will hapen in those scenarios, why don't you share your knowledge with us?

 

[Stivino]

Since you asked; I have a degree in wastewater treatment. I also have first hand experience of septic tanks. I prefer to read these posts without offering advice as it amuses me to read some of the utter tosh that people post.
And, on the few occasions that I have given advice, or voiced an opinion, there is always someone who knows better and I know from what they have written that they don't know what they are talking about.

 

[Roy Bloom]

Since you asked; I have a degree in wastewater treatment. I also have first hand experience of septic tanks. I prefer to read these posts without offering advice as it amuses me to read some of the utter tosh that people post.
And, on the few occasions that I have given advice, or voiced an opinion, there is always someone who knows better and I know from what they have written that they don't know what they are talking about.

If you know exactly what will hapen in those scenarios, why don't you share your knowledge with us?

That'll be a no from you, then?

 

[Dereekoo]

Of course, it could all happen anyway, but it's more likely to happen if there are more homes discharging into the tank, whether it be brown water or rain water.
Except, of course brown water flow tends to be little and irregular. Whereas rain water can be a deluge, persistent and often.

So we are agreed, the OP septics tank is in no worse a situation than it has been for the last X years and there will be no additional operational costs incurred due to the neighbour not sending his foul drainage to the septic tank (in fact on a simple pro rata calc average yearly operational costs will be halved) and any rainwater input (steady or inundated) will not add anything to these costs

 

[Stivino]

That'll be a no from you, then?

Yes, that's a no, as I explained in my last paragraph.

 

[Roy Bloom]

So we are agreed, the OP septics tank is in no worse a situation than it has been for the last X years and there will be no additional operational costs incurred due to the neighbour not sending his foul drainage to the septic tank (in fact on a simple pro rata calc average yearly operational costs will be halved) and any rainwater input (steady or inundated) will not add anything to these costs

Except the elephant in the room. There will be no additional operational costs, but they are now the responsibility of just one person, not two.
The neighbour clearly wants a service which they are unwilling to pay for.
In addition the chances of rain water inundating the system will also be halved, if the neighbour's rainwater is diverted.

Up until a month ago my semi detached cottage shared a septic system with neighbour. They have installed their own septic system leaving me with the old system. However they have not been fully decomissioned from the old system as rainwater still going into it (it's an old system). They refusing to contribute to shared system however it is being part used and have told me rainwater is separate which is clearly not due to the gutters and downpipes! With this in mind can i split the gutter? My contractor has said they can block off the drains so that it is 100% separate but rainwater from roof still a concern and as i am having new system built i dont want to have to pay to deal with next doors drains/rainwater

I'd just split the gutter, and if your contractor can easily block off their pipe, then do so.

 

[Roy Bloom]

Yes, that's a no, as I explained in my last paragraph.

Then as you have no intention of offering advice, nor answering any questions about possible scenarios, in your specialist area, why have you involved yourself in this thread?

 

[Stivino]

Then as you have no intention of offering advice, nor answering any questions about possible scenarios, in your specialist area, why have you involved yourself in this thread?

I think you'll find that I explained that in my first paragraph in post #21.

 

[Roy Bloom]

I think you'll find that I explained that in my first paragraph in post #21.

So you've been amusing yourself?

...I prefer to read these posts without offering advice as it amuses me ...

Is that another word for trolling?
And it still doesn't answer why you decded to become involved this time. You've offered no advice, refused to explain what you think when the scenarios I've presented occur, nor offered anyone the benefit of your specialist knowledge.

 

[Dereekoo]

Except the elephant in the room. There will be no additional operational costs, but they are now the responsibility of just one person, not two.

I accept that one person is now paying for empty but it will occur at twice the original period so overall its cost neutral cost
Also accept half the rainwater will half the possibility of inundation but if that hasn't been an issue in the past why worry about it for the future.
Overall not fussed eitherway just trying to advise the OP not to get fretted out about a non issue.

 

[Dereekoo]

So you've been amusing yourself?



Is that another word for trolling?
And it still doesn't answer why you decded to become involved this time. You've offered no advice, refused to explain what you think when the scenarios I've presented occur, nor offered anyone the benefit of your specialist knowledge.

Fair point