Looks like that time of the year! (to empty septic tank...)

sujsuj

I moved to this rural property last year, but never arranged anyone to do this job. So whats teh best way to find someone to empty septic tank..? Is there a comparison site of sort.? Is thsi cost depends on how much litres of sewage need to be removed..? I have seen cost estimation £150 ..is that standard charge..? how to find best quote on this..?

Hudsonbutler

Had ours emptied last month £130. 
This is the Midlands,  always use the same company as they know where everything is. 
I usually have it emptied every 18 months to two years.
Look for a local company and yes there is a limit on emptying capacity which you will be charged if you go over, that has never happened to me.

stuart45

That's a decent price. Farmers used to do cheap and spread it on the land, but it's illegal now.

sujsuj

I have  been asked to provide estimate in gallons that needs removal...No clue what to answer.

3 of us (2 adults + teen) staying here and last emptied in Aug 2020..

will this be 1000 gallons or  3000 gallons ..?? Any idea on this estimation..? Thanks

FreeBear

Do you know the diameter of the tank ?

The depth can be gauged by poking a long stick down to the bottom and then measuring the length of "wet". A simple bit of math will then tel you the volume.

sujsuj

totally blank on size of tank how many gallons.
I thought of getting quote for 1000 gallons
tank is 25 m away from road that may be critical as well

J_B

stuart45 said:

That's a decent price. Farmers used to do cheap and spread it on the land, but it's illegal now.

As an ex farmer, I wonder if some farmers would still do such a job?

It's amusing that they are allowed to spread animal waste on their fields ... but not human. 🤷‍♂️

sujsuj said:

I have  been asked to provide estimate in gallons that needs removal...No clue what to answer.

  ... and do you think that the guy coming to empty the tank will have a clue?

Another thought should be ... does it need emptying? If it's working correctly, it should be fine. We do ours about every five years.

in_my_wellies

J_B said:

As an ex farmer, I wonder if some farmers would still do such a job?

It's amusing that they are allowed to spread animal waste on their fields ... but not human. 🤷‍♂️

Sorry, off topic but this reminded me that a vet can treat a human but a doctor can't treat an animal. At least in USA, my husband had a fall and his uncle took him to the local vet - saved claiming on insurance 

Ganga

I believe farmers could spread human manure on fields that did not produce crops for humans to eat ,when i was working in the 90s/20s the local water company used to bring their trucks to local fields and discharge but the farmer was only growing grass for cattle to graze on.

stuart45

I think it depends whether or not it's been treated.

sujsuj

After clearing all the weed around the lids I have following findings..

1. There are 4 lids/chambers for this septic tank system (not 3!)
2. First lid seems to be an inspection chamber sort as shown in first Image below. Water just flows via this.I can't see any difficulty in water flow, I suppose thats a good sign..?
3. Between chamber 2 above and actual septic tank there is small round hole may be 15cm diameter. see 2nd Image below. This is made of red brick (clay) material. I measured depth using stick into this only. I can say no smell I could get when I opened this chamber and can see some water down.
4. 3 & 4 lids covers side by side equal sized chambers paved with bricks. chamber 3 got solid waste and still didn't smell anything!! I didn't had courage to put a stick in this
5. Chamber 4 is same size as 3 but this got cloudy water in it, no solid waste
6. Both above chambers are 60% filled I think
7. when emptying waste is that done on solid chamber waste only..? or liquid chamber as well?
8. Solid chamber volume seems to be as shown in last image, but its not in 1000's of gallon as the companies were asking me..? Is this volume calculation wrong?