On 3 Dec, 15:43, Eddy Bentley
wrote:
Forgive me asking this "odious" question in this group, but I know that
a lot of keen gardeners live on isolated properties which are not
connected to the usual sewage system.

We have a reasonably-sized septic tank embedded in the front garden and
we understand that the previous owner had it cleaned every year, at a
cost of about £120. There has been a suggestion that this annual
cleaning is a bit excessive. On the other hand, I have read that if the
solids mount up and leave the tank and move into the soakaway area then
the soakaway area becomes clogged and you then have to build a new
septic tank at another (clean) spot - which is a real bother and a
considerable expense. So, clearly, regular cleaning is worthwhile.

But how often is regular for a two-person household?

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Eddy.

This post was also put onto UK DIY and it is interesting that nobody
here picked up on the fact that this septic tank has a soakaway rather
than an outlet to a waterway - it has been assumed that this is a
herring bone type. The OP hasn't had the courtesy to come back on
either thread and answer the questions posed to him.

His concern was that any overflow would block the soakaway system and
there would be considerable cost and difficulty rebuilding it.

On that basis he is probably right it get it maintained annually, for
peace of mind if nothing else.

I would like to challenge the vociferous cries from Sacha, Mary
Fisher, et al about the use of household chemicals and septic tanks.
I live in area of septic tanks - there must be around 20 in this
community, and one thing that is clearly apparant is that anyone we
know well here does NOT pay service to looking after their septic tank
bugs. I will admit to not having gone round my friends here and done
a detailed survey off their cleaning habits, but all (I think) have
dish-washers, washing machines, etc and I am totally unaware of them
taking any precautions with powders, etc. What I am aware of is that
like us they pump out every 10 years or more and have no problems with
their tanks. These are typically 70 year old double brick tanks
that drain into the local water courses, which are all healthy burns.

Rob