Septic Tank - Simple Question

DOCARCH

Doing an extension to an existing house in Wexford that has an existing standard septic tank and percolation area. We have planning permission (and all that) and septic was considered fine and no need to change to treatment plant, etc.

Obviously wc is connected to septic tank and rainwater discharges to seperate soak aways.

Question is where should kitchen (sink) waste and utility (washing machine) waste be directed?

Just wanted to check as there seems to be some confusion between myself, the client and the builder.

Thanks in advance.

Paddysnapper

Golden rule if it aint broke don't fix it:D

sydthebeat

It can also be connected to the septic tank, but experience has shown me that this causes problems, especially the washing machine. The detergents in washing build up on the pipes like colestrol in a vein.

An alternative is to divert the washing machine through a grease trap like structure before going to a soakaway. I would have no problem with kitchen / utility sinks going to the ST

Supertech

Kitchen sink should definitely go to Septic Tank. Washing Machine will send large volumes of water into the tank and the more often you use it obviously the quicker the septic tank will fill up giving effluent less time to settle in the tank. This can lead to ponding and bad smells around the tank and worse if there are wells present in the vicinity.

However, depending on the soil type on the site, it's possible that you might flood the soakpit if you go that route aswell. A lot of Wexford has that marly subsoil particularly in the south and east of the county. If there's a percolation area on site already there might be percolation test results on file in the council which will tell you what the subsoil conditions are like and you could base your decision on that.

DOCARCH

Thanks for the replies - makes sense that the kitchen waste should go to septic tank and maybe washing machine waste to soak away?

What's being built now is a kitchen and utility room extension. House is very near the coast and soil is quite sandy so percolation is generally good (existing septic tank has not given problems in the 30 years it has been there).

DOCARCH

Looking at guidance since post above and it is generally recommended that all wastes - wcs, shower, bath, kitchen, washing machines, etc., go to septic tank and obvioulsy all rainwater to soakaway.

Read that discharging washing machine/utility wastes to soakaway (as builder was arguing should be done) can cause lots of other problems.

PaleRider

Hi, grey waters (washing machine, baths shower, etc must pass to the treatment system. (COP) Code of Practice 2009. However you should empty Septic Tank every year. It should be emptied by Registered Contractor. A tank that is emptied regular will work much better, and be much less threat to Environment. Try to limit use of Washing Machine, Use tank friendly Detergent. Check percolation pipes once a year. Keep a record of all maintenance work. A well maintained tank will cause little or no problems. Regards