[Gwiz]

I used to work with a guy called that.

[arugula]

There is or was a large reedbed treatment system near Winchester known to the locals as 'Stinky Hill', it works but i wouldn`t want to live with it.

And don't they use it to grow watercress?

[8doubles]

There is or was a large reedbed treatment system near Winchester known to the locals as 'Stinky Hill', it works but i wouldn`t want to live with it.

And don't they use it to grow watercress?

I don`t think it meets the criteria of  springwater.

[arugula]

There is or was a large reedbed treatment system near Winchester known to the locals as 'Stinky Hill', it works but i wouldn`t want to live with it.

And don't they use it to grow watercress?

I don`t think it meets the criteria of  springwater.

I did here of some such sort of setup ....... 

[waddecar]

When we moved in 14 years ago our building society insisted on septic tank survey using a camera - never saw the pix but it must have passed.

Its an old brick built one which sits under the front lawn - so when we needed to empty it i had to lift some turf and move some soil! Less than ideal but fortunately we have only had to empty it once - 2 years ago. Dont know when it was emptied befor that.

We had to have it emptied because the soak away pipes were sludged up. And then locate and clean out the pipes - lawn has just about recovered.

Both Tesco and Morrisons sell septic tank friendly disinfectant

[Junie]

Hi , we have two sorts of tank.  We have the now illegal concrete box in the ground, which is large but needs emptying every 4 months ( just for toilet) out dirty water goes through a pipe into the field!
Last year we had a new type put in , but as we do not intend to keep any of the current water outlets only the outhouse water goes into it! It will eventually take all water
By law in France, the fosse must be emptied every three years and all the paperwork kept to prove it, an inspector is apparently sent out every so often to check all is well.

[John]

By law in France, the fosse must be emptied every three years and all the paperwork kept to prove it, an inspector is apparently sent out every so often to check all is well.

And in France they have a philosophy of "Why use one form when 3 will do it?"

[tode]

"How do you know when they need emptying? "

First you need to find your septic tank, John.  (You'll need to know, sooner or later)   

On the outflow side, there sould be an inspection trap, about 1 or 2 feet from the tank.

If, as excavator said, the outflow is fairly clear (like medium dirty wahing-up water) then it's OK. If any sign of blackish mateial, or white crusty stuff, then probably time to act.

We had a 3000 liter tank for 2 adults + 2 children, and it was only emptied twice in 20 years.

In the countryside, it's usually a local (pig) farmer who empties them: much cheaper than the high-tech wizz-kids.

[Val H]

We have actually managed to locate it now!

[tode]

Great 

You'd be surprised how many people have no idea where their tank is.

Make sure you don't lose it now: take measurements from two fixed points, or (as I do) place a large marker stone over it.

Have you any idea when it was installed?

[Val H]

Not a clue! But we believe it was last emptied in 2004. Next door neighbour said they'd had a blockage - he's about an acre away but came to introduce himself.

[tode]

If John's got nothing to do this week-end (  ) you could open it up to see what's
going on . . . .

On the other hand,  if it ain't broke, don't fix it.        It should be OK for a few more years.

PS you should avoid sending bleach &/or organic solvants to a septic tank: they don't like it.

[John]

Thanks for the advice - yajotl - no not a word in Welsh
Yet Another Job On The List

[tode]

Well, you've got to keep a few for a rainy day, when you're bored