Living With A Septic Tank Uk

If that happens you ll need a new soakaway.

Living with a septic tank uk.

Charges are paid to a local water and sewage company. Septic tank clean out. You can reduce the amount of waste water flowing into your system by installing a grey water system to take water from the shower and laundry and storing it in a separate grey water tank where it can be used to water your garden. Don t abuse the system.

Although the initial cost of installing a tank or even replacing one that has severely deteriorated can be quite large if the tank is emptied regularly and periodically visually checked inside it should give you many years service. But without knowing how does a septic tank work you can do things that harm or destroy the system. White spirit varnish paint thinners motor oils petrol and other similar chemicals will ruin your septic system and are not easily broken down by soil bacteria. Since 2015 only certain property owners in england and wales with septic tanks or small packaged sewage treatment systems need to register their systems and either apply for a permit or qualify for an exemption with the environment agency.

For many houses in the uk a septic tank sewage system is the only way that sewage and wastewater can be handled. Around 95 of properties in the uk have a mains drainage connection waste water from toilets showers sinks and washing machines flow into a nearby main sewer. The remaining 5 of properties typically not situated near a main sewer have their own self contained off mains drainage system. Most septic tanks must be pumped once every three to five years depending on tank size water usage and the number of people who live in the building.

A septic system that was properly designed and installed needs only occasional pumping to remove the sludge and scum from the tank. Where there s muck there s brass especially for companies serving the 3 5 million people not on mains sewerage but using a septic tank or cesspit. Grease clogs the septic tank soakaway and effectively waterproofs it making it impossible for soil to absorb liquids.