Septic System Installation

What is a Septic Tank?

A septic tank has two chambers and is buried underground in the same way as a cesspit. As wastewater enters the first tank, solids settle at the bottom and begin to decompose, while liquid flows through to the second chamber. This allows any smaller suspended solids to settle and the water to exit the tank through the soak-away.

What is a Cesspit?

A cesspit is a sealed underground tank that simply collects wastewater and sewage. There is no processing or treatment involved. A cesspit is usually located underground with a manhole cover giving access for waste collection.

What is a Pumping Station?

They are for Properties that have a waste water system which cannot have ‘gravity fed’ connection. This means the waste water cannot naturally flow from the property to a mains sewer or sewage treatment system.

What is a Grease Trap?

A grease trap is a plumbing device designed to intercept most greases and solids before they enter a wastewater disposal system. Common wastewater contains small amounts of oils which enter into septic tanks and treatment facilities to form a floating scum layer.

What is a Soak-away?

A soak-away is a system comprise’s of a hole dug into the ground and filled with rubble and coarse stones. This allows surface water that would otherwise begin to pool to soak back down into the earth. Often the soak-away is placed away from the flooding area and a pipe connects the area to the soak-away in the form of a gutter or drain.