sept:septic_tanks

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sept:septic_tanks [2025/12/20 14:01] – Dave Darbysept:septic_tanks [2026/07/27 09:11] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Septic tanks & drainage fields+This topic is part of [[gt:water|Water & sewage]]. 
 +====== Septic tanks & drainage fields ======
  
  
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-## What is a septic tank and drainage field system?+===== What is a septic tank and drainage field system? =====
  
 Septic tanks are settling systems for use with flush toilets (and grey water) to achieve a reduction in suspended solid levels prior to disposal and further treatment of the liquid effluent in a drainage field. A drainage field (alternatively a leachfield, percolation area or infiltration area) is an area of ground set out with perforated pipework at specific spacing and elevation to distribute septic tank liquid effluent for treatment within the soil underneath the drainage field pipes. Septic tanks are settling systems for use with flush toilets (and grey water) to achieve a reduction in suspended solid levels prior to disposal and further treatment of the liquid effluent in a drainage field. A drainage field (alternatively a leachfield, percolation area or infiltration area) is an area of ground set out with perforated pipework at specific spacing and elevation to distribute septic tank liquid effluent for treatment within the soil underneath the drainage field pipes.
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 ![septic-tanks-diagram](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/septic-tanks-diagram-1.jpg) ![septic-tanks-diagram](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/septic-tanks-diagram-1.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
-_Diagram of a typical septic tank; from _[Septic Tank Options and Alternatives](http://www.wetlandsystems.ie/watertips.html).__+_Diagram of a typical septic tank; from_ [Septic Tank Options and Alternatives](http://www.wetlandsystems.ie/watertips.html)._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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-### Brief history+==== Brief history ====
  
 Evidence for the earliest flush toilets has been found [in India](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanitation_of_the_Indus_Valley_Civilisation) (c.3300-1300BCE), [Crete](https://www.nature.com/news/the-secret-history-of-ancient-toilets-1.19960) (c.2000BCE) and [China](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/851957.stm) (c.200BCE to c.20AD). 1000 years before the flushing system in Crete, dry toilet chambers were in evidence in Mesopotamia, but most of the population preferred to use a [chamber pot or the open fields](https://www.nature.com/news/the-secret-history-of-ancient-toilets-1.19960) instead. Evidence for the earliest flush toilets has been found [in India](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanitation_of_the_Indus_Valley_Civilisation) (c.3300-1300BCE), [Crete](https://www.nature.com/news/the-secret-history-of-ancient-toilets-1.19960) (c.2000BCE) and [China](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/851957.stm) (c.200BCE to c.20AD). 1000 years before the flushing system in Crete, dry toilet chambers were in evidence in Mesopotamia, but most of the population preferred to use a [chamber pot or the open fields](https://www.nature.com/news/the-secret-history-of-ancient-toilets-1.19960) instead.
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-## What are the benefits of a septic tank and drainage field?+===== What are the benefits of a septic tank and drainage field? =====
  
 Like any sanitation system, septic tank and drainage field systems have certain pros and cons, compared to other treatment options. Like any sanitation system, septic tank and drainage field systems have certain pros and cons, compared to other treatment options.
  
-### Pros+==== Pros ====
  
 - Septic tank and drainage fields are relatively inexpensive and function without electricity where site gradient permits. - Septic tank and drainage fields are relatively inexpensive and function without electricity where site gradient permits.
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-### Cons+==== Cons ====
  
 - Not all soils are suitable for septic tank and drainage fields. If your soil is too shallow above either bedrock or groundwater, the filtration distance in the drainage field is insufficient to provide proper treatment, and pollution may occur. - Not all soils are suitable for septic tank and drainage fields. If your soil is too shallow above either bedrock or groundwater, the filtration distance in the drainage field is insufficient to provide proper treatment, and pollution may occur.
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 Note that if you already have a septic tank and are thinking of repairing or upgrading your system, consider the following pros and cons as well: Note that if you already have a septic tank and are thinking of repairing or upgrading your system, consider the following pros and cons as well:
  
-### Pros+==== Pros ====
  
 - Generally less costly than replacement. - Generally less costly than replacement.
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 - Usually reduces or avoids the disruption of heavy machinery coming into the garden. - Usually reduces or avoids the disruption of heavy machinery coming into the garden.
  
-### Cons+==== Cons ====
  
 - Can be difficult, unpleasant and potentially hazardous to repair septic tanks. - Can be difficult, unpleasant and potentially hazardous to repair septic tanks.
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
-### Legal considerations+==== Legal considerations ====
  
 Planning permission is a legal requirement for any new sewage treatment system, including a septic tank and drainage field system. If you want to install a septic tank and drainage field there are many specialist contractors offering this service. Alternatively if you are adept at construction, you may wish to build the system yourself. In the latter case particularly, it is very important to ensure that you follow the standard guidelines. PPG4 was the UK standard until recently, and has been replaced in England with the General Binding Rules and a similar guidance applies in Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland still refer to PPG4. Planning permission is a legal requirement for any new sewage treatment system, including a septic tank and drainage field system. If you want to install a septic tank and drainage field there are many specialist contractors offering this service. Alternatively if you are adept at construction, you may wish to build the system yourself. In the latter case particularly, it is very important to ensure that you follow the standard guidelines. PPG4 was the UK standard until recently, and has been replaced in England with the General Binding Rules and a similar guidance applies in Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland still refer to PPG4.
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-### DIY septic tank+==== DIY septic tank ====
  
 A septic tank may be built _in situ_ using concrete blocks as long as it is well plastered and a plasticizer is used to waterproof the render and prevent leakage. Careful attention to detail is needed to ensure that no leakage occurs around inlet or outlet piping. The most notable features in any septic tank are: A septic tank may be built _in situ_ using concrete blocks as long as it is well plastered and a plasticizer is used to waterproof the render and prevent leakage. Careful attention to detail is needed to ensure that no leakage occurs around inlet or outlet piping. The most notable features in any septic tank are:
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-### Improving on the standard system+==== Improving on the standard system ====
  
 If you want to upgrade your septic tank and drainage field system there are a number of options available to you. To improve the effluent quality you may wish to use a [reed bed](/reed/reed_beds) system prior to the drainage field. To recoup biomass and nutrients you may wish to use a [compost toilet](/cptt/compost_toilets) and then have a separate drainage field or reed bed for grey water from the sinks and washing machines. To follow the example of [Donald Cameron's system](http://www.utilityfreeliving.co.uk/domestic-anaerobic-digester) in Exeter you may wish to recoup methane as a fuel for cooking or heating. To do this you'll need a modified tank design to allow for insulation and reduced liquid inputs. If you want to upgrade your septic tank and drainage field system there are a number of options available to you. To improve the effluent quality you may wish to use a [reed bed](/reed/reed_beds) system prior to the drainage field. To recoup biomass and nutrients you may wish to use a [compost toilet](/cptt/compost_toilets) and then have a separate drainage field or reed bed for grey water from the sinks and washing machines. To follow the example of [Donald Cameron's system](http://www.utilityfreeliving.co.uk/domestic-anaerobic-digester) in Exeter you may wish to recoup methane as a fuel for cooking or heating. To do this you'll need a modified tank design to allow for insulation and reduced liquid inputs.
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-## Further resources+===== Forum =====
  
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:water|Water & sewage]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/water).
  
 +===== Further resources =====
  
-## Specialist curators of this topic+- [EPA (US)](https://www.epa.ie/environment-and-you/waste-water/septic-tanks/) - info on septic tanks 
 +- [Environment Agency](https://sswm.info/sites/default/files/reference_attachments/ENVIRONMENT%20AGENCY%202011%20Greywater%20for%20Domestic%20Users.pdf) - greywater for domestic users: an information guide 
 +- [Brief history of septic tanks](http://djwl.co.uk/blog/brief-history-septic-tanks/) 
 +- [Sustainable Sanitation and Water Management Toolbox](https://sswm.info/) - catalogue of open-source tools 
 +- [Muck Munchers](https://www.muck-munchers.co.uk/how-to-maintain-your-septic-tank/?gad_campaignid=21797350555) - septic system maintenance 
 +- [Pollution prevention guidelines](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/485181/pmho0706bjgl-e-e.pdf) - Treatment and disposal of sewage where no foul sewer is available 
 +- [Gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/permits-you-need-for-septic-tanks) - Septic tanks and sewage treatment plants: what you need to do 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [[wlur:Waterless urinals]] 
 +- [[reed:Reed beds]] 
 +- [[wsew:Willow sewage treatment]] 
 +- [[biog:biogas|Biogas]] 
 +- [[cptt:Compost toilets]] 
 +- [[sewg:sewage|Low-impact sewage treatment]] 
 +- [[plum:Plumbing]] 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
  
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