Septic tank emptying ...

[Lime]

A proper septic tank is a rather sensitive ecosystem - so sensitive, in fact, that a family member on antibiotics can send it out of kilter. You need to be very careful what you put down it (in terms of bleach, bog cleaner, soaps, detergents and the like) if you're not to upset the equilibrium of all those bacteria down there.

Yes, I would agree entirely with that.

 

[Nemesis]

No-one is on antibiotics, we are both aware of how the bloody things work, we don't over use it, we don't put bleach down it, we use Ecover in moderation, green products in general, in fact we are all round model citizens where our septic tank is concerned. And many other things besides. We treat it with love and tender affection, we buy it presents for its birthday.

I just want to know how much other people are charged for pumping the damned out. Nothing went wrong with it. There was a specific reason to have it emptied.

 

[Lime]

But ... all I wanted to know was how much others paid for this...

Over the ten year period I owned one, £0.00 .
However the system was very large and a smaller one would probably need de-sludging more often, say 5-10 years.
I have my suspicions that the reason so many modern septic tanks need emptying is that they are much too small for the job. (or is that jobbie?)

 

[Nemesis]

Yes, I know people who never had theirs emptied in ten years, as they thought it didn't need it. Until the day they realised that the leach field was clogged up and had to be replaced.

And others who thought what they were discharging into the river was lovely and clean - until the EA tested it and told them otherwise.

Of course people at times have little control over how much land they have available for a septic tank.

None of which answers the question - how much are people being charged?

Thanks for the £136 - that's interesting - ours is easily accessed, takes a very short time with a tnker and one bloke, and the local authority doesn't have a scheme.

 

[Gervase]

I just want to know how much other people are charged for pumping the damned out..

Tsk, why didn't you just ask?

For what it's worth, the last time I had a septic tank pumped out (which was about seven years ago in East Herts), it cost about £60. And that was because all sorts of stuff had gone down the drains what shouldn't. But that's teenagers for you *sigh*.
It was a hot, still day, and the pong was almost tangible.

 

[Lime]

Yes, I know people who never had theirs emptied in ten years, as they thought it didn't need it. Until the day they realised that the leach field was clogged up and had to be replaced.

Perhaps if they regularly inspected the tanks/chambers in detail as I did they would have avoided any problems.

 

[Nemesis]

That sounds very cheap - I think with new disposal regulations costs have gone up.

 

[Nemesis]

OK - find me the science, and I'll pass it around all I kinow who have septic tanks. I'm sure they'll be delighted to read a learned paper or several on the subject.

Of course some older tanks only have one chamber.

Did you ever have your discharge into the water course tested?

 

[biffvernon]

Poo is 100% biodegradeable. So zero slugde.

If you wash your carrots and send the earth down the drain to the septic tank then there will be some sludge. There's a good case for separating lavatory water from all other water, which does not need to go through the septic tank. We've got a soakaway for the grey water.

My grandmother said you have to eat a peck of dirt through a lifetime so maybe poo is not 100% biodegradeable, only 99.999%

How big is a peck?

 

[Gervase]

A peck is big. Four pecks make a bushel, thus one peck is two gallons (Imperial, of course).

 

[Nemesis]

I'm waiting for the definitive research.

So far the research says don't have them emptied too often, but the sludge builds up eventually.

And I also understand that the grey water should go through it or groundwater can be contaminated.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterres/286587/286599/286911/548861/565687/?lang=_e


However, I also wear a cardi.

 

[Nemesis]

And here's more fascinating talk about cr*p: which is not at all the same thing as talking sh*te of course.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A873876


http://septictankinfo.com/Machmeier_Get_To_Know.shtml

 

[Penners]

I wondered what others pay.

At our last house we had the septic tank emptied about once every 18 months. As I remember it, the last time (about 6 years ago) it cost around 50 quid.

During our last three years in the house it never needed emptying at all. A dilapidated barn just the other side of our garden wall (about 30 yards from our septic tank) was converted into a bijou residence, and they ran a long drainage pipe to connect their house to the main sewer. Thereafter our septic tank never needed emptying!

Did I wonder why? Yes. Did I try to find out why? No. Did anyone ever complain about any odd smells or squelchy puddles anywhere? No.

 

[Nemesis]

The cost does seem excessive, in Scotland it would be about £135 I gather, but as some repair had to be done then the other half decided he didn't mind standing ankle deep in the stuff but he did mind if a snorkel was required.

Surprisingly, there are few firms in the locality so little choice!

 

[Penners]

Surprisingly, there are few firms in the locality so little choice!

Surprisingly?? Would it be on your list of career choices?!

 

[Nemesis]

Well - it does seem rather lucrative!

 

[worms]

A peck is big.

So if Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper...I hope his septic tank was functioning!

More seriously, Scottish Water (which was not privatized) charges £124 for a scheduled clean, £198 for an unscheduled clean and £285 for an emergency.

 

[geoff]

£200 does sound a bit steep. I had one up to about seven years ago, emptied every 18 months and it was around £40-£50 per 1000 (from memory). That was in Hampshire.

I think emptying times depend on the area of land drains, the permeability of the soil, the design of the tank and especially what you put in - ie. detergents and bleach and stuff are not good. I found mine would get a bit too sludgy after 24 months hence the 18 month period.

 

[Nemesis]

Actually, I don't know about dirt, but seeds are something which seem not to be digested...

So much for them being full of Omega 3, 6 and 9 or whatever... lots of them in the bottom of the tank!

I totally agree about tank variations and how they operate. I think like chimneys no two are alike, and a black art.

 

[Lynn]

It could be a difference with local dumping fees. Wastewater treatment plants in our area are operated by local units of government and recover their expenses through fees. It might vary from area to area. Some treatment plants are near capacity and have to charge more to reduce inflow while others might have lots of capacity and take most anything for cheap.

Not sure how this works in UK obviously...