Cesspits: A Beginner’s Guide

What is a Septic Tank?

Septic tanks are of similar construction, with one big difference. The old brick tanks are not sealed. This allows the effluent to seep through the gaps in the brickwork into the surrounding soil. As it passes through the soil, it is converted from ammonia to nitrite, and then anaerobic bacteria converts nitrite to nitrate.

In modern GRP tanks, pipework is included to allow the discharge of the effluent. The solids are then broken down by bacteria until the tank requires emptying.

Cesspit costs

Chosen a property with a cesspit? Buying a house with an old septic tank? Unfortunately the news is not good. Maintaining a cesspit can be an expensive business, and its maintenance can be legally enforced by the local council, and charged to you.

On the plus side, with a cesspit you are not required to pay waste disposal costs to the local water authority. You are however, required to keep the tank in good order and pay for cesspit emptying costs and more, and these bills will far exceed those saved from the water company.

Leaks

In the UK, cesspits are generally fitted as a last resort for when the surrounding ground is unsuitable for liquids to drain through, as untreated effluent would just seep through to local waterways and pollute the environment.

Because of this, leaks have to be sealed as soon as they are noticed; i.e. dropping fluid levels. The tank would require draining, cleaning and resealing.

If brick, this could mean re-rendering, sealing with a waterproof paint, or re-lining with GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic). If the tank is already GRP, it may be patched. If it has split, then a new tank may be the only solution. 

Cesspit Surveys

If you are considering purchasing a property with a cesspit, it is well worth paying the extra to have the cesspit surveyed along with the property. It could save you a far greater sum in the long run.