Septic Tank - How to look after it??

Fellpony_2

Hi I am hoping that you lovely people can assist with my quest.

We have recently moved into an old farm house, it has been completely renovated and is lovely. It does however have a septic tank which is not something we are used to having.

I know some of the don'ts for it, like no bleach, no bio washing powders but what other bathroom / dishwasher / loo type things should we be doing / not doing??

Any advice would be gratefully recieved !!

Thank you


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lostinrates

I was told coffee grounds were lethal, as is hair. I know you are also meant to ai for no more than three washes a day...but in all honesty I often do more.

No paint (so no ashing paint brushes t the sink) because the pigment will pollute your soakaway/water runoff.

Eliza_2

I use bleach and bio washing powder and in 10 years of living here have never had a problem. It seems to be able to balance itself out. I don't use a lot of other cleaning materials so couldn't comment on those. Can't imagine what would be wrong with hair or coffee grounds as they are completely natural products - anyway they go down mine with no problem (but how much hair would you put down anyway?!)

Mine is emptied every couple of years as a precaution and it's never full even then.

By the way, make sure you check your water bill as mine had 'accidentally' acquired a charge for sewage!! And don't forget to put a chicken into it every couple of years!

Liz

Callie22

Eliza wrote: »

And don't forget to put a chicken into it every couple of years!

Sorry, I know nothing about septic tanks but I saw this and had to ask - what is the chicken for? I'm assuming it's dead and there's some kind of biological reason? Or do you have to make annual offerings to the god of septic tanks?

zcrat41

I grew up in a house with a septic tank and it had everything and anything in it and it never did it any harm. Bleach by the ton! Have a word with your local farmer for advice. My Dad is great for knowing about stuff like spetic tanks. Random but useful!

MandM90

Callie22 wrote: »

Sorry, I know nothing about septic tanks but I saw this and had to ask - what is the chicken for? I'm assuming it's dead and there's some kind of biological reason? Or do you have to make annual offerings to the god of septic tanks?

Some people think the bacteria from the chicken will get rid of the other sludgy bits and reduce the need for pumping; my stepdad, however, swears it's a load of rubbish.

Callie22

MandM90 wrote: »

Some people think the bacteria from the chicken will get rid of the other sludgy bits and reduce the need for pumping; my stepdad, however, swears it's a load of rubbish.

I've never been so glad that I just flush the loo and have done with it

Eliza_2

Yes it's old country lore that apparently the chicken would help the bacteria do their things. I hope however, that you remember to put a live chicken down the chimney!!!

Chickens have a hard life in the country!!!

Tbh, I think modern septic tanks are pretty forgiving and can cope with most things.

Itismehonest

I don't think you should worry too much about what you do or don't use unless you are pouring loads of chemicals down the drain on a daily basis.
Obviously much can depend upon the size & age of the tank.
A small tank without a proper soakaway may have problems which a larger one can cope with easily.
The frogs in ours don't seem to bother about anything that is thrown their way

MandM90

Callie22 wrote: »

I've never been so glad that I just flush the loo and have done with it

Ugh, I know; my parents have a holiday cottage in Normandy with a septic tank, though originally it had an outdoor loo so anything is an upgrade I suppose!

Smithills

Hi Fellpony
I used to deal with problems caused by poorly maintained septic tanks, so hopefully can give you some pointers. Firstly, is it a septic tank, or a modern sewage treatment plant? Septic tanks are usually made of brick, don't have any power requirements, and are very robust generally. Modern treatment plants come in a prefabricated form, often shaped like an onion that is dropped into a hole in the ground and then backfilled around it- they often need power to run them- so not a great option if you are in an area that suffers from power outages a lot. Either sort can discharge into a stream, or into a soakaway.

Sewage treatment is a biological process- just like yoghurt making- so you want to nurture the bacteria. A bit of bleach or washing powder won't make a massive difference, but don't go mad with it. Check out where your surface water goes- roof water, yard water etc- keep it out of the tank, as it will flush out all the good bacteria when it rains. Be cautious with fat- don't pour fat down the sink as it will solidify in the pipes somewhere and can block it all up (I never understand why anyone does this- septic tank or main sewer!). Make sure you dispose of tampons, cotton buds, towels etc in the bin- again these should not be put down ANY toilet really. And as someone else posted, get the sludge emptied when necessary- just leave a wee bit in there to seed the next lot. I told you it was like yoghurt making!

Have a look at PPG4 published by the Environment Agency for a bit more detail- good luck with your new house!