septic tank upgrade

deemy

Hi there. Sorry if this is in wrong forum but Im just looking for some info if anyone can help please. We own a small 2 bed cottage built circa 1950 on a plot of land approx 1/3 acre. We are about to go for planning for an extension of 2 extra bedrooms. We know we are going to come up against it with our septic tank as we know it wont comply to regs. We dont have the area on the site for a perculation area which will be far enough away from the house. Other than asking our neighbour (who has offered) for some land to use is there anything else we can do to upgrade and comply. At present the septic tank is about 10ft or less from our back door with a perculation area of god knows where. We bought 10 yrs ago and as 1st time buyers we didnt really look into this problem when buying as it nvr came up in eng. report. Foolish I know but sur such was the panic to buy :rolleyes: Has anyone ever been in this situation or anyone any suggestions? TIA

deemy

Anyone ?

cabledude

Are you employing an architect for the project. They should be able to give you all the info needed. A site survey will have to be carried out to assess the percolation system, if one even exists.

OBrother

The relevant EPA code of practice does allow Local Authorities to make variations to the requirements where existing systems do not meet the standard.
While it might take a bit of pushing by You or your Architect / Consultant it can be done
A new state of the art system will be far more preferable than a septic tank and a soak pit,

Dante79

Like the previous posters mentioned, where site conditions cannot meet EPA guidelines the planning authorities do allow some variations to the guidelines, for example you could propose to install tertiary treatment after the treatment system. This is basically a raised mound usually about 1m high and 20m2 with imported soil/sand. You could have even two of these and alternate the discharge between them and also discharge smaller amounts at regular intervals. Your Engineer can submit a proposal like this to the local authority and hopefully they will accept it.

Selfbuilder14

Dante79 wrote: »

Like the previous posters mentioned, where site conditions cannot meet EPA guidelines the planning authorities do allow some variations to the guidelines, for example you could propose to install tertiary treatment after the treatment system. This is basically a raised mound usually about 1m high and 20m2 with imported soil/sand. You could have even two of these and alternate the discharge between them and also discharge smaller amounts at regular intervals. Your Engineer can submit a proposal like this to the local authority and hopefully they will accept it.

This is what we did we had a plan drawn up by an engineer and submitted it with our planning application. We have to go for a raised percolation bed as the,water table is too high. We have been quoted about. 6,000for the work. Planning accepted it no problems. If I remember right cost over 500 for the design

Gairdin nua

I need advice on a septic tank. We bought a house a few years ago that we have now moved into and we knew the septic pit was not great. Have now got it evacuated and it is really a concrete bunker six feet deep by three feet wide by five feet long which over time has become detached from the soakaway if there ever was one as cannot find evidence of it. It probably works in that the effluent is seeping through the walls of the pit but it is not causing any problems with leakage or smells. I need to do something with it pretty soon as cannot now allow the status quo to prevail given that I know for certain it is not properly functioning.
Two options as far as I can tell are to try to rescue it by digging a soakaway and connecting to the pit or alternatively getting a site survey for 650 Euros to direct me as to what needs to be done next. Are there any alternative options? I have had it registered before the deadline so not a problem there.
BW

Dante79

I think your right, your options are to leave the pit and install a percolation area which will cost at least €2k depending on what grades of gravel you use and if you can oversee the work yourself. Or you could upgrade the septic pit to a new certified septic tank which would cost approx €1k or upgrade to a new wastewater treatment plant which would set you back at least €3k, both of these also need a percolation area to function properly.

buky

Deemy, I am in the very same situation as you. Very small site, bad septic tank etc. Can I ask did what you did in the end? And was it expensive. Thanks

buky

buky wrote: »

Deemy, I am in the very same situation as you. Very small site, bad septic tank etc. Can I ask did what you did in the end? And was it expensive. Thanks

Op hasn't posted in 5 years. Can't imagine you getting an answer