Septic Tank - replacing - advice needed

[Blue_Manc]

We have an old fashioned brick septic tank. It is increasingly frequently overflowing - particularly after emptying bath etc. After yet another evening with my arm down the drain trying to find a blockage enough is enough - time to replace it.

Although I have used the forum for advice to go well beyond my comfort levels - I think this one is beyond me!

What I want to know is what are the essentials to consider?

We had a quote about a year ago by a specialist firm - who came round for two minutes and said they could put one in for about £5k!!!

We have used in the past a farming contractor who will do groundworks etc - is he likely to put one in? If not what is best route, plumber, builder?

What type should we consider - we are on clay soil, and next door have one that have 'pure' water running off into a watercourse. Presumably this would be expensive? However not convinced that our soakaway is that effective given the propensity to overflow.

Any advice before we ring round people would be much appreciated.

 

[Burnerman]

So long as the brick walls of your tank are ok (presumably a 2 chamber tank) and they haven't collapsed, its the effluent outfalls that need looking at, rather than the tank itself. Connecting a new tank up to the existing soakaways will have exactly the same effect.
Consider a specialised contractor who can dig trenches and lay plastic porous pipe in a herringbone pattern for best results.
John

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Several things to consider, and be prepared, this sort of job doesnt come cheap! Possible to replace the drainage field or if you do require a new system I would suggest a builder or groundwork contractor to quote to install.

Packaged treatment plant would be more expensive, and probably require a mains electricity supply, however these should provide a final effluent quality suitable to discharge to a watercourse. Worth a look: http://www.klargester.com/ Bear in mind if you dont have overflow problems this could reduce emptying costs over the life of the tank.

Soakaways and clay soils aren't a good mix, if you can get permssion to discharge final effluent to a ditch then that stops any backing up or overflows. Permission may have to be sought from the Environment Agency for a discharge anyway. Some light reading! http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/PDF/GEHO0811BTVH-E-E.pdf

 

[Blue_Manc]

First quote in with £4,300 with an anua 6 tank and 2 dasys labour to dig out old tank, fit new and dig drainage ditch of about 15m. Further quotes to follow.

OUCH!

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Not had any experience with these but might offer another solution?
http://www.ukseptictanks.co.uk/sept...-unit/p-85-jewel-6-population-treatment-plant

I'd still be looking to discharge the final effluent to a ditch if possible, soakaways in clay soils do have limitations, and if the soakaway becomes waterlogged then the whole system cannot function properly.....