The bungalow we have bought at auction has got a septic tank, the property has stood empty for several years (so we are told) so we are not sure of its condition or where the treated effluent drains out to. There is no paperwork relating to servicing, pumping etc so can anyone offer any advice on where we start to find out. Many thanks
Septic Tank
- Thread starter GeorgePig
- Start date
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Can you give us a clue as to its construction.....traditional types were twin brick chambers (one deep) with an inlet inspection manhole, and another one at the outlet. The tanks were covered with concrete lids.
More modern types are often plastic with only one lid.
John
More modern types are often plastic with only one lid.
John
If you have the two tanks system, one is for the effluent, the other is for water drainage, water drains out of second tank into ditch or into surrounding ground,
You only need to empty the effluent tank from time to time, dont use any bio logical products or bleaches it kills the bacteria,
If it smells chuck a dead rabbit in the first tank, increases the bacteria.
never put any other sanitary products down the loo.
You only need to empty the effluent tank from time to time, dont use any bio logical products or bleaches it kills the bacteria,
If it smells chuck a dead rabbit in the first tank, increases the bacteria.
never put any other sanitary products down the loo.
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Going to have to be brave and lift that lid! If you can come back with what's underneath, (the chamber construction, NOT the waste....), then may be able to advise you further. There may only be one cover, construction methods have changed over the years. If no apparent outlet into a ditch or stream then its likely the outlet goes onto some sort of soakaway, to allow the final effluent to disperse into the subsoil. Various regulations regarding this, more info on the Environment Agency website.
Be warned, every drop of water you put down the drain will find it's way into the tank. It relies totally on the soakaway to continue functioning, but if the water table is high or the soil conditions are not very porous, the tank will soon start to struggle and effluent will back up.
Assuming no problems, it also pays to remember septic tanks rely on bacteria to break down the waste, treat it with respect, as said keep use of bleach and household chemicals to a minimum. Anything other than human waste and tissue will not break down, and fat/grease will congeal which can lead to blocked pipework.
May be wise to get it desludged before starting to use it, then get it desludged on a regular basis (how often depends on size of tank and how many are using it), allowing it to get too sludged up can result in a high concentration of suspended solids going down the outlet which can cause the soakaway to bung up....
Be warned, every drop of water you put down the drain will find it's way into the tank. It relies totally on the soakaway to continue functioning, but if the water table is high or the soil conditions are not very porous, the tank will soon start to struggle and effluent will back up.
Assuming no problems, it also pays to remember septic tanks rely on bacteria to break down the waste, treat it with respect, as said keep use of bleach and household chemicals to a minimum. Anything other than human waste and tissue will not break down, and fat/grease will congeal which can lead to blocked pipework.
May be wise to get it desludged before starting to use it, then get it desludged on a regular basis (how often depends on size of tank and how many are using it), allowing it to get too sludged up can result in a high concentration of suspended solids going down the outlet which can cause the soakaway to bung up....
The concrete cover is in our front garden, I don't know how big a soakaway area should be but don't somehow think that there is one. There is a ditch which runs along the boundary of the property but it is quite overgrown and not sure whether it belongs to us or neighbor so have not looked in it to see if there is an outlet. Are we right in thinking that if the outlet does drain into the ditch something will need to be done about it as it will not meet Environment Agency regs?
We're not too worried about anything going into it at the moment as there is no water connected and no bathroom sute/toilet etc at the moment!!!
We think the plan now will be to lift the cover, try to find the outlet and get it desludged as soon as possible, as you suggest.
We're not too worried about anything going into it at the moment as there is no water connected and no bathroom sute/toilet etc at the moment!!!
We think the plan now will be to lift the cover, try to find the outlet and get it desludged as soon as possible, as you suggest.
I would familiarise yourself with the Environment Agency regs, as they are quite complex and have recently changed (again).... You'll soon find out i'd suspect if the outlet enters the ditch as the discharge from a septic tank is usually pretty obvious.... If the local council offer an emptying service, they may have experience of doing this particular site before, always worth asking the driver as he may be able to to advise. (Offer of a drink usually helps! )
If it doesnt meet regs then you may be looking at having to upgrade the current setup or changing to a treatment plant, neither of which is likely to be cheap....
Ditch may be partly your responsibility as a 'Riperian owner'.
)If it doesnt meet regs then you may be looking at having to upgrade the current setup or changing to a treatment plant, neither of which is likely to be cheap....
Ditch may be partly your responsibility as a 'Riperian owner'.
what`s their pet do to do with it
Pet ? My turn!
Got spelling wrong though, it's 'Riparian Ownership' ! e.g.
http://www.essex.gov.uk/Environment...urse-regulation/Pages/Riparian-ownership.aspx
Got spelling wrong though, it's 'Riparian Ownership' ! e.g.
http://www.essex.gov.uk/Environment...urse-regulation/Pages/Riparian-ownership.aspx
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