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Septic Tank: how often to clean?
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 |
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