Confused about old cesspool

grey_lady

Seems there's a difference between a modern cesspit and an old leaching cesspool with the latter designed to leach out liquid into the sorrounding soil.

anotherbaldrick

GlynD wrote: »

That's not right mate. If the septic tank is the right size and functions correctly it should never need emptied. The solid material it retains is biodegradable. Most problems with septic tanks are when the tank is too small to deal effectively with the amount of waste from the dwelling (or otherwise) which it serves. That's when they need emptying.

Advice to OP. If you can afford it, install a septic tank and get rid of the worries you have with the old cesspit.

http://www.scottishwater.co.uk/you-and-your-home/septic-tank-emptying/your-questions-answered

teneighty

I just thought I'd add my bit as I think there has been some misinformation.

A Cesspit is a sealed chamber that needs to be emptied on a regular basis depending on size and useage but usually every 3 to 6 months.

A Septic Tank involves some very basic bacterial treatment (septic) of the effluent which allows the liquid to be discharged in an irrigation pipe network. The solid effluent should settle in the base of the tank and needs to be emptied once every 12 to 24 months or so again depending on size and usage.

A leaking cesspit or septic tank that never need emptying is leaking and both are contaminating the ground with raw effluent.