What is a Cesspit?
A cesspit is a type of storage tank designed to temporarily hold sewage without any treatment. They are typically located underground and accessed via manholes. Cesspits are often used when there is no connection to main sewage systems, usually in rural or off-grid properties.
What is The Difference Between a Septic Tank and a Cesspit?
Septic tanks and cesspits are both systems utilised for wastewater management in areas lacking a connection to a central sewage system, but they function in distinct ways. While a cesspit simply stores the waste without any treatment, a septic tank actively processes the wastewater.
How Does a Septic Tank Work?
A septic tank collects wastewater from various household sources such as toilets, sinks, showers, and other household drain flows. In a septic tank, solid waste settles at the bottom (forming sludge), while the liquid waste, known as effluent, is released into a drainage system for additional treatment through natural soil filtration. In the drainage field, bacteria are further broken down and the fully treated purified effluent permeates the property’s soil and groundwater, naturally running its course into nearby streams, rivers, and lakes.
How Often Should You Empty a Cesspit/Septic Tank?
It is important that cesspits are emptied regularly to prevent overflow which poses serious risks to public health and the environment, as well as it being an offence under the 1936 Public Health Act. As cesspits do not treat or remove the water, they need emptying a lot more frequently than a septic tank. Cesspits come in various sizes and the number of people in a household can greatly affect how often it is emptied, this could be anywhere from monthly, quarterly, or yearly. In contrast, a septic tank is generally recommended to be emptied out every three to five years. However, this is once again dependent on the size of the tank and household size.
Cesspit and Septic Tank Emptying Cost
The average cost of emptying a septic tank can vary between roughly £100 - £300 which will be affected by the size of the tank, the location of the tank, same-day service fees and waste disposal fees.
It is recommended to have a professional assess the system regularly to determine when emptying is necessary, and maintenance needs to avoid emergency callouts.
Hydro Cleansing offer a variety of cesspit emptying and septic tank services to keep your home or business running smoothly. Our team of experienced technicians are trained for cesspit and septic tank emptying, cleaning, servicing, maintenance, repairs, and installation. Our cesspit and septic tank emptying services are available in London and the entire Southeast
Should You Get a Septic Tank or Cesspit?
Choosing between waste tanks depends on several factors, with the key consideration being your property’s location and available land. Septic tanks are generally a better option due to their lower maintenance requirements and reduced health hazards compared to cesspits. In the long run, septic tanks are more cost-effective, potentially saving thousands, and are more environmentally friendly since they process and treat wastewater.
However, septic tanks require more space, as they need room for both the tank and a drainage field. In contrast, cesspits are often used in areas with limited land or unsuitable soil for drainage. They may also be a more suitable choice for properties that are only used seasonally, such as holiday homes, where waste generation is minimal. In these cases, a cesspit could be a more cost-effective option for occasional use.
Your Waste Management Requirements
Hydro Cleansing’s professional cesspit and septic tank services can help you identify and address potential problems early on. Our team of experienced cesspit tank engineers use state-of-the-art technology to conduct cesspit and septic tank inspections, maintenance and emptying, ensuring that your system is functioning optimally. Our septic tank engineer assessments are accurate and efficient, providing you with the insights you need to keep your tank running smoothly.
Get in contact with us today to discuss your maintenance needs and how we can help. Give us a call on 0800 740 8888 or email us at enquiries@hydro-cleansing.com.
