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Septic tank - washing machine?

  • 11-12-2016 06:37AM
    #1
    Tom Hagen
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 86 ✭✭


    Can I pipe my washing machine into my septic tank?
    I'm afraid a soak pit will not drain well enough and maybe back up/block over time (but i did have a good percolation test and a standard concrete ST was specified after environmental site assessment) .

    whereas a septic tank will be free flowing and emptied every year.

    any ideas? :confused:


Comments

  • #2
    T-Maxx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,477 ✭✭✭T-Maxx


    The washing machine must be drained to the septic tank system. [/thread]


  • #3
    Johnnyhpipe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 743 ✭✭✭Johnnyhpipe


    What?!!


  • #4
    exaisle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,673 ✭✭✭exaisle


    Johnnyhpipe wrote: »
    What?!!

    T-Maxx is absolutely correct. Only rainwater should go to soakholes. Grey water should go into the wastewater treatment system....


  • #5
    Angry bird
    Closed Accounts Posts: 808 ✭✭✭Angry bird


    Think this pretty much covers it http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/guidance/faq/


  • #6
    Johnnyhpipe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 743 ✭✭✭Johnnyhpipe


    exaisle wrote: »
    T-Maxx is absolutely correct. Only rainwater should go to soakholes. Grey water should go into the wastewater treatment system....

    Obviously! I design these things for a living. I was astonished at the original query, not T-Maxx's response.

    Are you a self builder OP?


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  • #7
    dzer2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,038 ✭✭✭dzer2


    All soiled water to septic tank. stay away from washing powder use a short cycle and as little as possible. Make sure you can get to the chamber for the percolation pipes to clean it also.


  • #8
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers, Paid Member Posts: 44,924 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    There is no harm having a grease trap before the washing machine pipe enters the septic tank. This can collect the vast majority of the washing power by waste, which clogs up the tank.


  • #9
    Fayre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 143 ✭✭Fayre


    dzer2 wrote: »
    All soiled water to septic tank. stay away from washing powder use a short cycle and as little as possible. Make sure you can get to the chamber for the percolation pipes to clean it also.

    Great tips.
    Any tips on household cleaning agents to use or avoid to help septic tank performance?


  • #10
    madmac187
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 694 ✭✭✭madmac187


    Can a separate soakaway not work in complying with waste water treatment for washing grey water?


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