Septic Tank Emptying, Cesspit Cleaning
WTE Ltd. does not empty septic tanks, but here is some information that will help you to understand why they need emptying and how it should be done. You must only use Licensed Waste Disposal Companies to empty a septic tank or sewage treatment. Septic tank Systems tend to be ignored until the system backsup or starts to smell. In spite of the recurrent advice of manufacturers to empty them at regular intervals and to be careful what is flushed down the drains,they tend to remain ignored - until it is TOO LATE.
Septic tanks require emptying so that they can be monitored and any problems can be fixed at an early stage. Once the problem becomes deep rooted, loads of money and labour are required to fix the problems - sometimes incurable if extra land is not available for a new soakaway.
A well designed septic tank has enough space to store sludge for one year, if it it used up to its design loading criteria, e.g. a 6 person tank being used by 6 people, but the frequency of septic tank emptying depends on the Capacity of the tank and the Volume of solids in the wastewater.
The Septic Tank capacity is worked out as follows:-
C = 180P + 2000
where:
- 180 = litres/person/day
- C = Capacity of the septic tank
- P = the number of people using it
From the above, 4 people would need one of 180 x 4 + 2000 = 2720 Litres. This would need to be emptied annually if 4 people were using it.
However, if it was twice the size, i.e. 5440 litres, then it would need to be emptied only once every 2 years.
Similarly, if the 2720 litre tank was used by only 2 people, then it would also need to be emptied only once every 2 years; by 1 person, then every 4 years, etc.
Type and frequency of activities determine the septic tank emptying interval. Fats, oils and greases (FOG) tend to build up in the crust on the top of the effluent. If FOG`s are excessive, then it will require more frequent emptying to prevent them from by-passing the `T` outlet pipe and clogging the soakaway. Grease traps should be installed and cleaned out on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning of the system.
The installation of sink waste disposal units dramatically increases the solids in the wastewater. This means that you will need a much larger septic tank and it also reduces the septic tank emptying interval. DON`T FIT ONE! Compost it instead. Maintenance will increase and you will need septic tank emptying twice as often if one is fitted. Moreover, biological and chemical additives do not get rid of the need for tankering.
As the saying goes a stitch in time saves nine. So why not mark the problem areas and pay attention to sewage odours, sewage backing up into the house or over the drain field, slow-draining toilets or drains? For good Septic Tank Maintenance you can follow these few steps mentioned below:
- Septic Tanks should be emptied at the correct intervals for their capacity and number of `bums on seats`
- Septic tank systems should be inspected for structural faults every year. Too many people have fallen into septic tanks when lids and tops have collapsed.
- Make sure that no rainwater empties into the septic tank and no gutters are joined to the system
- Buy the septic tank from a reputable Wastewater Company with a Customer Service
- Department and a warranty of years, not months as is the case with many manufacturers. WTE specialise in Septic Tank Replacement.
- Repair faulty toilets and dripping taps.
- Make a map to learn the location of the system, particularly the soakaway.
- Keep a record of the maintenance and septic tank emptying.
- The best way to have a well maintained septic tank system is to seek professional help from those who specialise in the servicing of Domestic and Commercial sewage systems
The simple answer is NO, as it is highly unlikely that he complies with the regulations below:
The Farmer MUST be a Registered Waste Carrier
Untreated sewage treatment plant or septic tank waste has been banned from being spread on all agricultural land since 2005.
- environmental and public health
- animal and plant health
- animal welfare
These standards are known as `cross compliance`.
If you supply or spread sludge to agricultural land, you must meet the requirements of the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations. You must comply with these regulations in order to meet the requirements of the cross compliance rules of the single farm payment scheme
You must only use sewage sludge that has been tested according to the Sludge Regulations. You must check that you do not exceed the limit on the average annual rate of addition of metals in the sludge.
You must not spread sewage sludge on a field unless you have tested the soil according to the Sludge Regulations. This includes checking that the limit on the concentration of metals in the soil will not be exceeded by spreading the sludge.
You must not spread sludge on land that has a soil pH of less than five.
You must not use sewage sludge or septic tank sludge:
- when fruit, other than fruit trees, or vegetables are growing or are to be harvested in the soil
- without taking the nutrient needs of the plants into account
- if it will damage the quality of the soil, surface water or groundwater.
The farmer must provide the septic tank owner with information of any past sludge use from a different source. This should include details of where, when and how much sewage sludge was used and who supplied it.
After sewage sludge or septic tank sludge has been applied, you must not:
- graze animals or harvest forage crops for at least three weeks
- harvest fruit and vegetable crops that are grown in direct contact with the soil and that are normally eaten raw for at least 10 months.
After sewage sludge or septic tank sludge has been applied, you must:
- Work untreated sludge into the soil as soon as possible. Untreated sludge is sludge or septic tank sludge that has not undergone biological, chemical or heat treatment, long-term storage or a process to reduce its fermentability and health hazards.
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Inform your environmental regulator immediately if sewage sludge enters a watercourse.
Any contravention of any of the above regulations breaks the rules of cross compliance and risks the Single Farm Payment.
