Cesspits
It’s why we’re considered the best at what we do and why we’ve received so many glowing reviews through Yell. Whether you need a new cesspit, need yours emptying, or require that someone fix it; you can always call on us – we’re even available 24/7 for emergency callouts.
What is a Cesspit?
Cesspits or cesspools are purely a holding tank without an outlet and will require emptying on a frequent basis depending on usage. The idea behind a cesspit is that it serves as a solution for locations without mains drainage. In such instances, the discharge of treated effluent is not permissible as ground conditions are not suitable. Other instances include holiday homes which make the two other options – sewage treatment plants and septic tanks – impractical.
When sizing a cesspit, it’s important to use the British Water Sizing criteria when calculating capacity. The assumption is 200 litres per person, per day for any residential application. A cesspit typically has a capacity to hold around 45 days’ worth of effluent before it needs to be emptied. A minimum allowable capacity of 18,000 litres (4,000 gallons) is permitted for a single dwelling with an occupancy of two residents.
What is a Silage Tank?
In addition to cesspits, our drainage services in Dorset cover silage tanks too. In instances where more toxic natural or chemical waste is to be stored, a silage tank should be installed instead. They are manufactured in the same sizes as cesspits and are engineered with special resins to ensure greater resistance to aggressive silage effluent. Silage tanks are built to comply with all statutory regulations.
Silage effluent has the potential to cause severe environmental damage if allowed to enter a watercourse as it has a very high BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand). The BOD is up to 200 times greater than that of domestic sewage. Therefore, if it enters a watercourse, it can very quickly remove all the oxygen and kill off all aquatic life within the ecosystem.
As silage effluent has caused numerous severe pollution incidents in the countryside, there are now a number of very strict statutory controls to regulate its collection and storage. A typical application for a silage tank would be for a touring caravan site where a collection vessel is required to hold Elsan waste from chemical toilet cassettes.
Our Drainage Service in Dorset
Given the importance of both cesspits and silage tanks, it’s imperative that if you have experienced problems, you call us right away. Common issues include:
- Overflowing
- Foul Odours
- Cracked Walls
- Punctures
- External Leaks (usually caused by cracks and punctures)
Never attempt to open the cesspit/silage tank yourself – lots of toxic gases are contained within which could be harmful to you. An alarm system is usually fitted, which will sound if there’s a problem. At which point, The Drain Team can be called to come remedy whatever problem might be present.
We can also assist by emptying your cesspit/silage tank, or if you require a new one installed, we can oversee this too. Whatever you need our help with, rest assured, we’re more than happy to provide it, and all for a very competitive price.