Septic tanks?! When might they be a problem?

Lurkingtoposting17

Hi guys!

Got my contracts through today to review and am a little confused. There is no mention of my property having off mains drainage and this hasn't been mentioned to me by the vendor.

The contract pack states that the property is connected to the mains. It has no answer to the questions do you have a septic tank, cesspit or sewage treatment plant. However it then stipulates in handwriting that 2000 gallons is taken every 6 weeks, will be emptied again at end of this month. It doesn't specify what this is taken from and there's no further mention of it in the contract pack.

I'm confused, if the property is on the mains can this be a septic tank? Also I have a fundamental lack of knowledge in this area but all my googling tells me that 6 weeks emptying is probably an indication of a problem as they should only be emptied around once a year?

I am obviously going to ask my solicitor to clarify this tomorrow but can anyone tell me if my approach is correct and anything else I should be aware of.

I know the area I am buying in really well, had no idea of any off mains arrangements nor do any other properties in the vicinity of the one I am purchasing mention it, so I am utterly baffled as the area isn't especially remote or rural!

1.) ask for clarity over what the "tank" is? If cess pit I will pull out completely as my understanding of maintenance means they are expensive and onerously so

2.) if a septic tank ask to see maintenance records, clarification of the location, where it drains to, and if it shared with others

3.) if no satisfactory maintenance records provided (or merely because of the aforementioned 6weekly emptying) propose a full survey of the system to "flush out" any issues

Any advice or experience gratefully received!

Tiners

Don't know if this is relevant to your particular situation...

''If you have a septic tank that discharges directly to a surface water pipe, ditch, stream or river, you will need to replace or upgrade your treatment system by 1 January 2020, or when you sell your property, if before this date, under these new rules''.

https://www.wte-ltd.co.uk/discharging_sewage_effluent.html

Lurkingtoposting17

Thanks tiners

I found this in my research too, as we aren't near water I don't think it's an issue, but not taking it for granted!

Browntoa

Shared tank is a nightmare if one or two people refuse to pay

My brother put his own in for that reason .

Davesnave

Septic tanks don't need emptying every 6 weeks; only a cess pit would meet that description.

Something in the back of my mind makes me think there are a few places where the local water board arrange the emptying of a tank, paid for as part of sewerage charges, but normally septic tanks and cess pits are privately owned and maintained.

Alternatives to whatever system exists may be possible, if the topographic and legal situations allow. Our solicitor successfully challenged a clause in our title, tying us to the property next door for sewerage arrangements, so we are now free to 'go' our own way, should we wish to do so!

Lurkingtoposting17

Thanks Davesnaves!

Yes my concern is the 6 week emptying time frame, this seems to not fit with it being a septic tank, but I can't imagine the property would need a cesspit due to its location. Also baffles me as it says it's connected to the mains, so why would either be needed? I'm also really confused as to why none of the 3 houses my own included for sale or recently sold in the vicinity have no mention of it.

Let's hope the conveyancers get answers quickly! They also wrote they would fully empty the tank prior to occupation, which apparently shouldn't be done, and according to one website may be a way for them to try and hide issues with it

Fun and games this house buying malarkey isn't it!!

Davesnave

Lurkingtoposting17 wrote: »

They also wrote they would fully empty the tank prior to occupation, which apparently shouldn't be done, and according to one website may be a way for them to try and hide issues with it.

If they are arranging the emptying like that, then it's a private situation, not some kind of holding tank dealt with by the local authority.

One shouldn't totally empty a septic tank as some liquid is used to keep the bacteria in the next 'brew' going. Full emptying probably doesn't matter if it's a cess pit.

If it is a septic tank, 6 week emptying indicates a problem with the exit to the leach field. You'd also want to know where exactly the latter is, and if it's entirely within the property's borders.

We have neighbours whose leach field is entirely on our land. They'll have nowhere to go in order to meet the newer regulations when their old percolation system no longer percolates. They don't know it yet, but their only option will be to install a brand new treatment plant when that happens.

Lurkingtoposting17

Thanks Davesnave that's really useful. I will go and ask some very open ended questions about this today and see what they come back with.

If you don't mind me asking is there anything else you think I should ask? Excuse my ignorance, I've done all my research and I'm reasonably confident in what I need to find out but googling only gets you so far!

agrinnall

Just to give an alternative perspective on the frequency of emptying septic tanks, I lived for 10 years in a property served by a septic tank that was shared with 5 other properties, and it was not emptied at all in that time and we never had a single problem with it.

Davesnave

I would ask how much each emptying costs.

For my septic tank, which is large, it was about £130, I think.

Don't forget that if you have your own system, you won't pay the sewerage part of the water authority bill.

phoebe1989seb

agrinnall wrote: »

Just to give an alternative perspective on the frequency of emptying septic tanks, I lived for 10 years in a property served by a septic tank that was shared with 5 other properties, and it was not emptied at all in that time and we never had a single problem with it.

Our last house had its own septic tank - and leach field - and in the 3.5 years we owned the property we never had it emptied. Nor were there any issues during that time. The previous owners had it emptied immediately prior to completion, iirc.

Emptying every six weeks definitely sounds peculiar, OP.......