Length of Septic Tank Soakaway

[dtl]

Hi,

I am in the process of buying a small cottage in Rural Scotland.

Drainage from the house is to an old brick septic tank which is within the garden.
The cottage was built in 1850, at a guess the septic tank and associated system is at least 70 years old.

The title deeds describe a servitude right to maintain the tail pipe from the septic tank.
However, this tail pipe is not shown of the title plot plan drawing.

I asked the Vendors to show the approximate location of the tail pipe/soakaway on a drawing.
They have produced a sketch which shows the tailpipe being only 2m long and just terminating at the garden fence, which separates the garden from the adjacent farmer’s field.

My question is; I thought soakaways were generally quite a lot longer than 2m.

Is it possible that the soakaway is only 2m long and it would adequately function at this length, I.E in the olden days maybe soakaways were built this short?
Or is this unlikely?

Thanks

 

[stevie888]

Discharge to a ditch?

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

70 years ago things were somewhat different, Tank would have been expected to deal with a Kitchen sink and a bathroom probably, if it's earlier than that then a WC and Sink may have been all that discharged to the tank, so the soakaway, (or tank!), didn't need to be huge. The ground will also play a part, sandy soils for example will absorb water far more readily than clay soils.

Fast forward, and daily showers/baths, Washing Machines, Dishwashers, and modern living is putting a great deal more down the drains, so I would be asking before anything else, what the capabilities of the system are.

I would also be doing your homework as to whether the system meets current regulations, https://beta.sepa.scot/topics/water/septic-tanks-and-private-sewage-treatment-systems/

 

[noseall]

70 years ago things were somewhat different, Tank would have been expected to deal with a Kitchen sink and a bathroom probably, if it's earlier than that then a WC and Sink may have been all that discharged to the tank, so the soakaway, (or tank!), didn't need to be huge. The ground will also play a part, sandy soils for example will absorb water far more readily than clay soils.

Fast forward, and daily showers/baths, Washing Machines, Dishwashers, and modern living is putting a great deal more down the drains, so I would be asking before anything else, what the capabilities of the system are.

I would also be doing your homework as to whether the system meets current regulations, https://beta.sepa.scot/topics/water/septic-tanks-and-private-sewage-treatment-systems/

Great post.