Gutters and drainage remove excess water either to a special storage tank or simply outside the site. Storage capacity for sewerage in a country house or in a private house is necessary element drainage and drainage system.
Species
A storage tank is a well designed to settle and accumulate waste liquids from the sewer system. The main purpose of this reservoir is not just the accumulation of wastewater, but the protection environment from contamination by them.
The classification is made according to the materials from which the well is made and the container. Storage tanks for organizing sewage systems are made of plastic, concrete and metal. Plastic ones are the most convenient to use and easiest to install. They are light, durable, and are not damaged by water, but they do have some disadvantages.
In particular, plastic can be deformed under the influence of earth pressure. To avoid this, they are installed either in a pre-prepared pit with fixed walls, or placed in a metal casing (mesh of reinforcement).
There are such reservoirs:
- Made from PVC. The most common and accessible. On average, they have a wall thickness of up to 4 centimeters, are light, durable, and flexible;
- Fiberglass. Reinforced with fiberglass, they withstand exposure to water and temperature changes, but are destroyed by direct sunlight.
The concrete well is a standard drainage pit. It is very rarely drained for further use. Mostly such storage devices are located underground. They are:
- Open. No bottom. In this case, some of the liquid simply goes into the soil;
- Closed. They have a bottom and require periodic pumping of wastewater.
Ideal for organizing the work of a storm or drainage system, they are very easy to equip with your own hands. There are two installation options: buy a ready-made concrete container or dig a pit, make formwork in it and fill the container over it. Can be made from reinforced concrete rings, square shapes. One of the main disadvantages of concrete storage tanks is limited period service - they begin to deteriorate after 10 years of use (for comparison, plastic lasts up to 50).
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Metal tanks must be additionally protected from corrosion with special paints or enamels. They are considered more convenient than concrete ones, but less practical than plastic ones. In particular, they cannot be installed without additional help.
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Also containers can be different types location. They can be installed vertically or horizontally. A vertical container for wastewater is used in areas narrow shape, where it is not possible to prepare a large pit for storage. Horizontal ones are standard and are used on any possible types of plots.
Calculation
Before you buy a storage tank for sewerage, you need to calculate its required volume. Many factors are taken into account to obtain the most accurate results. The most important of them is the number of people living in the house. On average, one adult uses 200 liters of water per day; in certain cases, this figure can reach 500 or more.
One more important indicator is the deadline for cleaning the autonomous system. On average, wells need to be cleared of water once every 30 days, but depending on the volume of the storage tank, this period can be increased to 3 months. Let's give an example of a calculation for a family of two people consuming 300 liters of water per day for each person:
300 * 2 = 600 liters, that’s how much is poured into the tank every day.
Let's assume that you plan to clean the tank no more than once every 60 days. Means:
600 * 60 = 36,000 liters is the approximate capacity of the storage well. 1 cubic meter is 1000 liters, which means you need to look for a storage unit of at least 36 cubic meters. Such models are often provided by plastic tank manufacturers.
Please note that if there is a child in the family, then it is better to calculate the volume consumed by him, as for an adult - then the tank will have a reserve. Also, when choosing a storage device, experts draw the attention of buyers to the fact that the maximum water level in the container should be no higher than 1 meter from the lid.
Installation
The price for installing storage tanks for sewerage depends on the type and size of the device, place of residence and work characteristics. On average, they charge up to $20 to install a small well.
To make your stay in the house comfortable and cozy, sewage drainage equipment is mandatory. The most convenient way is to connect to central system city sewer system, then you will avoid various problems and worries. But this is not always possible to implement. Therefore, owners of private houses or summer cottages are forced to install special cesspools on their plots. This may solve the problem, however, there are some nuances. If it is done technologically correctly, such a pit will cost you a lot, and the labor costs will be high. Moreover, it is almost impossible to ensure perfect tightness in cement-brick structures. On the territory of Russia, in the middle zone, groundwater are located quite high, so all the contents will constantly be on the surface of the area, polluting it and spreading unpleasant odors. That is why ordinary cesspools have been replaced by special containers that are designed for collecting and storing waste. These containers are large tanks or cisterns in which waste is kept sealed until the tank is cleaned. From this article you can learn how to install a sewage tank on your site yourself.
Types of waste storage containers
If we talk about the types of such tanks, then there are two of them:
A septic tank is not just a tank in which waste is collected and stored. sewage, they are partially filtered there. When wastewater enters the septic tank, it passes through a pipe into the first treatment chamber, where it breaks down into various individual fractions. Large solid particles settle at the bottom, and small elements with water move to another chamber, where they are “attacked” by bacteria. Fermentation processes occur in these chambers, resulting in the release of methane. In the third compartment, this water is partially filtered and enters the ground. That is why in some areas it is prohibited to install septic tanks.
Storage containers are simply completely sealed and resemble a large tank or barrel for storing something, and in this case, waste seepage from the sewer into the ground is excluded. It turns out that such containers can be used in any area. TO distinctive features Such tanks can be determined by their shape and size. They are made in both vertical and horizontal shapes, and also have a rectangular or cylindrical design. If we talk about their capacity, then finished goods can contain a fairly large volume - from 1 to 150 m 3 of liquid. These structures are equipped with two holes:
- the first hole is the entrance to which the sewer pipeline is connected;
- the second hole is an inspection hole for cleaning the tank when it is full.
Most often, such a product is installed below ground level, having previously dug a special pit where the unit is placed. Thanks to this you can save general view plot and precious space that can be used for other purposes.
It is worth noting that before purchasing a tank, you need to decide what material to buy the product from. After all, a lot depends on this. To help you with this, let's look at what these materials are and what the advantages of each of them are.
What are sewer containers made of?
Depending on the material used, all sewer containers can be divided into the following types:
- Plastic tanks.
- Metal tanks.
- Concrete tanks.
Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, which we will now discuss.
Plastic products
The most common containers can be called. They have large number advantages, which we will talk about later, and thanks to them they are so popular. Apart from the volume, they do not have any restrictions for collecting wastewater. All that is required of you is to complete the installation, after which the unit is ready to perform its tasks. The good news is that the installation is very easy, it does not require special heavy artillery, it is enough to use strong male hands. What are the advantages of such models:
- Light weight, which makes installation easier, allowing you to do everything yourself without any problems.
- The highest tightness, which is achieved during manufacturing, because the product does not have any welds. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about less-than-pleasant content leaking out.
- Durability. As everyone knows, plastic does not corrode and is resistant to various negative effects of aggressive substances contained in sewage waste. The service life of such a product is 30 and even 50 years, which is quite good.
- Good strength. Despite the fact that it is plastic, it is not inferior to metal products and can withstand various mechanical impacts and loads.
- Relatively low cost. If we talk about the other two types, they will cost you more, and transportation will also be expensive.
Metal products
Such containers occupy an honorable second place in use for the collection and storage of sewage waste. Although previously such structures were used more often, since many industrial enterprises were collapsing, and it was very easy to get such barrels. The peculiarity of their installation is due to the fact that the tanks are very heavy, so you will need to hire someone to install them. crane. If you want to do everything yourself, you won’t succeed. Please take this into account when calculating, as you will need to pay for the rental of heavy equipment. Moreover, some costs should be allocated for sealing agents, since immediately before installation all welds must be treated with them. Thanks to this, good sealing can be achieved, and wastewater should not enter the ground.
The main advantage of metal tanks is that they are durable and reliable. They are hard to damage: they tolerate well mechanical impact and loads. But there are still many more disadvantages:
- The metal is subject to corrosion. This is why the tank needs additional anti-corrosion coating both inside and outside before installation. This can significantly extend the life of the product, however, it does not completely solve the problem. Over time, it will simply rot.
- A significant part of the tanks are made from thin sheets of metal, which, when exposed to aggressive substances, will not last long.
- High cost of the product.
- Large weight, which complicates the installation process itself and makes it more expensive. Not only is the product itself more expensive, but you also have to pay extra for transport services, hiring a crane, purchasing sealant and other installation services.
- Limited volume. Typically, 200–250 liter barrels are used for storing and collecting wastewater. This means that you will have to extract content very often, especially if you have big family. Everything would be fine, you can do the work yourself (although it is inconvenient and you need to use special equipment), but where does the waste go then? Therefore, we have to resort to the services of vacuum cleaners, which is not entirely advisable for 200–250 liters.
Concrete products
Very rarely, concrete containers are used for collecting and storing waste. If earlier this would have been advisable, today, when we have other materials that have excellent properties and are better suited for this purpose, concrete is significantly inferior. And this is mainly associated with the properties of the material itself. Concrete is simply helpless against moisture and water, which simply destroys it. This is why such a tank will not serve you for long. At the same time, you will spend a significant amount of money and effort on its equipment. Just as with metal products, installing concrete structures will require special equipment. It’s not worth talking separately about any pros and cons, since everything is clear with this. Today concrete structures are practically not used.
What material to choose for storing waste is a purely personal matter. You can compare the pros and cons of one type or another and choose the best one. But to be honest, plastic structures the most profitable. All you need to do is calculate the required volume, buy the unit and install it, that’s all! Easy, simple and reliable! Such tanks will serve you faithfully for many years and do not require constant maintenance. Let's look at how to choose the right plastic tank so that it is convenient and lasts a long time.
Rules for choosing plastic barrels
So, having decided to use a plastic tank for storing waste, the first thing you need to do is go to a specialized store and purchase such a unit. But how to choose the right one best option? What are the selection criteria? Let's find out.
![](https://i1.wp.com/kanalizaciyavdome.ru/uploads/7-8-2016/nado-opredelit-obem.jpg)
Taking into account all the recommendations, you can buy a container that fully satisfies your needs and that would serve for a long time and reliably. Now that everything is ready, you can begin installation work, which you can do yourself.
Preparatory work for installing a sewer tank
The whole point of the job is that you need to dig a large hole under the tank and bury it. It all comes down to earthworks, for which you need to stock up on the following tools:
- shovel, depending on the number of assistants;
- shovel;
- buckets;
- crowbar for working with soil containing a lot of stones;
- a plumb line to adjust the verticality of the pit;
- level;
- hammer;
- roulette;
- pegs and rope to make markings.
Having everything necessary tools, you can go to preparatory stages. They are often divided into 3 categories:
- Preparing tools.
- Calculation of the required tank volume.
- Choosing the optimal location.
We've already figured out the tools. Regarding the volume of the tank, as mentioned above, there is a special formula thanks to which you can decide how much volume you need. This formula looks like this:
V=n×x×V days,
- V – required volume;
- n is the daily period after which you want to carry out cleaning work;
- x – the number of residents who live in the house;
- V day – the volume of wastewater expected per person per day.
For example, to understand, let's imagine a family that consists of 3 members. Approximately 150 liters of wastewater is consumed per person per day. You want your tank to be cleaned every two months, so every 60 days. Now it turns out:
Using the calculator, you can immediately determine that your desired volume is 27,000 liters. It turns out that a tank of no less than 27 m3 is suitable for your needs, which you will have to clean once every two months. All you have to do is plug in your numbers and draw certain conclusions.
Pay attention! Calculating the volume of a tank is quite simple. Although if you neglect this point, it can lead to negative consequences.
Now you need to choose a suitable location on your site. Simply pointing your finger at any area you like is the wrong tactic. There are specific tank placement requirements that must be followed:
- In order for sewage to flow freely and by gravity into the tank, it must be installed at the lowest point of your site. Then the pipes will be located at an angle, and blockages will not form in them.
- To make it convenient to clean the container, it is important to provide access to the site so that the sewer truck can easily get there. Moreover, this must be done despite the fact that you plan to clean the tank yourself.
- It is recommended that the sewer pipes through which waste flows into the tank are straight. Thanks to this, you do not have to install additional equipment, such as rotary wells.
- In order not to “enjoy” unpleasant odors from the container, you should not place it too close to the house. But even if the tank is located far away, this will lead to additional waste, since the length of the pipeline will be greater. The most optimal distance from the tank to the house is considered to be 6 m.
All that remains for you immediately before work is to choose a location and begin installation. This is what we will do now!
Installation of a plastic tank
One of the important advantages of plastic products is ease of installation. Even if you do not have adequate experience in construction work And plumbing, you can do everything yourself. All you need is suitable tools, following the instructions, some help from a friend or relative and, in fact, desire! Let's divide all the work into several stages to make it more convenient and understandable for you:
![](https://i1.wp.com/kanalizaciyavdome.ru/uploads/7-8-2016/betonnoe-osnovanie-dlya-emkosti.jpg)
At this point, all work is completed, and your tank is ready for use. If you choose everything correctly and install the container properly, it will serve you for many years, making your stay in your home comfortable and enjoyable.
And so that you can know when it’s time to clean the container, you can use a signal float. Some products include such an element, but if you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter. You can do it yourself. To bring your idea to life, take a steel rod, a bright foam ball, an aquarium suction cup and liquid nails glue. So, first apply the marking scale to the rod. It would be better if it was luminescent paint. Place a suction cup on the end of the steel rod, which needs to be glued to the bottom. This way the rod will be securely fixed and will not damage the bottom. Well, in the end you need to place a bright ball on the rod, which will move freely along your made scale. Place the float so that when you open the lid, you can immediately see where your ball is located. It will indicate the amount of content.
As you can see, equipping a container for collecting sewage waste is not so difficult. All work can be easily done on your own without the help of professionals, who, by the way, would charge you decent money for this service. Using such a plastic tank is advisable, the material has a large number of advantages, and this design will last you quite a long time. This is, one might say, an intermediate solution between cesspool and a septic tank, and it is justified from an environmental point of view.
Video
The following video demonstrates the installation of a plastic sewer container:
Today, many country villages do not have common system sewerage system, so we have to think about creating individual system cleaning. Not everyone can create their own system; it is not cheap, which is why, using the old method, they dig cesspools, lining them with bricks or making walls from reinforced concrete rings. But instead of these structures, you can purchase a plastic container to use for sewerage.
At first, enterprising owners used instead brick structures iron barrels or tanks, however, service life they were short-lived. Now this problem has been resolved with the advent of market relations, and manufacturers have appeared producing plastic containers for sewage with high strength parameters, They are not very expensive and are easy to install.
What is a sewer container?
If there is no full-fledged sewage system, you can use an autonomous one, it can be presented in the form:
- Cesspool.
- Storage capacity.
- Mechanical septic tank
- Septic tank with biological filters.
A cesspool, the walls of which are lined with brick or concrete rings, and the bottom is left open. In this case, the liquid goes into the ground and the pit should be cleaned no more than once every few years. Advantages: it won't cost much, used as a temporary option. Disadvantages: permanent unpleasant smell, inadequate disposal of fecal water.
Storage tank for sewerage - sealed tank, waste accumulating life activity, which is released as it fills with the help of utility services. The material can be metal, plastic, fiberglass. The shape and volume can be any from 3 to 100 cubic meters m and more; The containers can be connected to each other to increase the total volume for sewage.
The advantage, of course, is:
- the cheapness and simplicity of this method sewer system, the container itself is buried in the ground, connecting it to a pipe through which all sewage from the house is drained;
- This method of sewerage provides biochemical protection of the site at a high level.
The disadvantage is regular cleaning containers using special equipment.
Mechanical septic tank, which is closed system, providing a level of purification at which water can be absorbed by the earth without the risk of site contamination. It can be made of concrete, metal, plastic.
The advantage of septic tanks is:
- high level of cleaning;
- low price;
- Possibility of underground installation.
However, the disadvantage is:
- limited volume of processed waste liquids;
- annual maintenance requirement;
A septic tank with biological filters that purifies the outlet water to 98%. These septic tanks are expensive, but most effective, they can be located near buildings do not require maintenance and operate for a long period.
Types of containers for sewerage
Sewage containers vary:
- sizes;
- volume;
- manufacturing material (metal, glass, plastic).
Requirements for containers:
- weather resistance;
- waterproofing;
- chemical inertness;
- capacity;
- resistance to mechanical stress.
It should be noted that plastic containers most fully meet these requirements; they are strong, durable, airtight, and easy to use. Germes-Plast-OC containers are made of plastic with a volume from 3 to 100 cubic meters. m and the cost for a 2-meter dive from the surface of the earth is 60,300 − 1,553,500 rubles. respectively.
Glass storage tanks have a number of advantages:
- no corrosion;
- service life - 50 years;
- low specific gravity;
- performance at low temperatures;
- chemical resistance;
- a float can be built into them to notify the filling level of the tank;
- Possibility of manufacturing according to customer's size;
- products have a quality certificate.
Storage tanks can be combined to increase total volume waste liquids.
Cost of fiberglass storage tanks from the company Ecostroy for sewerage lies in the range from 66,400 to 181,000 rubles. for products with a volume of 5−15 cubic meters. m.respectively. However, according to individual order the company produces tanks up to 100 cubic meters. m.
Company ZhilKomSnab produces ribbed septic tanks, due to which the walls prevent compression by the soil.
Their cost depends on the volume and ranges from 18,900−44,000 rubles. for 1100−5000 liters, respectively.
How to choose a container for sewage
The choice of storage tanks is huge, so as not to make a mistake, you need to remember that the consumption per 1 resident is 200 liters of water. Based on the number of people and the frequency of emptying the container, select the volume of the product you need.
You can purchase a container equipped with a float to notify that the barrel is full.
The choice of material is also of no small importance for further use; it affects service life.
Of no small importance is type of soil on the site and the level of groundwater relative to the surface, if it is equal to or higher than one meter , then you will need to purchase an additional well.
Advantages of storage tanks:
- easy to install, you can do the work yourself;
- environmentally friendly, they are sealed and there is no risk of soil contamination;
- cheap, storage tanks cost less than septic tanks.
The disadvantage is the need regular cleaning using special equipment.
How to install a container under the sewer
Sewage containers are used immediately after installation, for which no special devices and tools are needed, except for a pair of male working hands, and a shovel to dig a hole for a container.
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When choosing a particular container for sewerage, decide for yourself an important question: what is more important to you- save money or ensure complete disinfection of the site. It is also possible that there is an optimal option for small area waste can be purified more fully, but for large ones it becomes less important. It is important to decide what is better - to buy a system inexpensively or service in the future. If you use the dacha only in summer time, the best option for you would be to purchase a storage container made of plastic of the appropriate volume.
Do-it-yourself sewerage in the country- this is the plan for the summer for many summer residents. And if you are one of them and do not have a clear idea about the capabilities of the device autonomous sewerage, then this article is for you. It will not discuss the rare possibility of connecting to central networks, since it is rare even in elite villages.
Sewerage in the country - making a traditional cesspool
The principle of a cesspool: a pit with straight walls is dug on the site. The pit must be of sufficient size, the walls must be strengthened (forming concrete walls using formwork or plastering over a mesh). Crushed stone is often laid at the bottom of the pit, so the cesspool can be called a single-chamber septic tank.
Device standards. The use of a cesspool for sewage in a private house is regulated by several basic rules, including:
- the need to construct a bottom if the daily volume of wastewater exceeds 1m3. If the water flow does not exceed these values, then the bacteria living in the soil will have time to purify the wastewater. Otherwise, this will not happen, which will lead to groundwater contamination - wells within a radius of 30 meters may become unsuitable for drinking;
- within the city, concreting the bottom is mandatory;
- the bottom of the pit should be lined with crushed stone; to improve wastewater treatment, a layer of sand can be placed on top of the crushed stone layer;
- The calculation of the volume of a sealed cesspool is calculated depending on the volume of water consumed by one person on average per day - 150 liters. If 5 people permanently live in the house, then this is 750 liters per day or 0.75 m3. If you install a 10m3 storage tank, the pumping period will be 13 days;
- We calculate the storage capacity. If the house has a bathtub and water heating devices operating on solid fuel or electricity, then 1 person per day consumes, on average, 150 liters of water, but if water heaters operate on gas, then 1 person consumes about 180 liters of water. If there are 4 people in a family, then 150 * 4 = 600 l or 180 * 4 = 720 l. The rate of water consumption per day is 0.6 – 0.72 m3. With a storage volume of 8 m3, waste must be pumped out every 10-13 days
Advantages and disadvantages of using a cesspool
Storage tank - an option for a sewage system for a summer residence
This device option similar to the previous one, except that the stacks and the bottom of the container are completely sealed. Wastewater is stored in a container until the sewage disposal truck is called.
Principle of operation: a storage sealed container is installed on the site, into which household waste flows, similar to a cesspool.
Device standards
- the container should be of sufficient volume so that you do not have to frequently call a sewer truck. Purchasing a septic tank that is too large is not economically beneficial. For 5 people, a volume of 8 m3 is quite suitable, the pumping frequency will be about 3 times a month;
- There are no restrictions on the use of this sewerage option in the country.
Advantages and disadvantages of using a sealed storage tank
Advantages over a cesspool in the country:
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Conclusion: the use of storage capacity is more modern solution than building a cesspool. However, its design is not advisable in all cases and given the fact that you agree to pump it out more often than a cesspool.
Dry toilets for summer cottages
If the previous options are not suitable for you for some reason, then perhaps a dry toilet will be the solution to organizing a toilet in your country house with your own hands. Note that in this case there is no full-fledged sewerage system as such. There is only a solution for the toilet.
The principle of operation of a dry toilet: it has a tank for receiving wastewater, in which deodorization and purification of wastewater occurs. As a rule, a dry closet also has a second tank into which it is filled. clean water(manually or from water supply). Water is used to flush liquid waste into the lower tank. Since there are different types of dry closets, it is worth separately describing the operating principle of each:
- electric - the waste tank has two parts that allow you to separate waste into solid and liquid. The latter are discharged into the sewer or drainage, and the solids are dried with a compressor. For the installation to operate, ventilation and connection to the electrical network are required;
- peat toilets are based on processing waste with peat. Their lower container is designed for 100 kg of waste, which will eliminate the need for frequent cleaning of the toilet, and the upper container does not store water - instead, peat pours out of the tank when you press the handle, which turns waste into compost. However, their power is limited. If more than 2 people use the toilet, then the peat will not be able to quickly absorb all the liquid waste. A hose must be installed to remove purified water. Installation of ventilation is required;
- The portable dry toilet has a receiving tank with a volume of less than 25 kg. Cleaning or even dissolving waste occurs with liquids, which can be formaldehyde, ammonium, or preparations from living bacteria. The former are very toxic; their use can be justified if there is no possibility of discharging disinfected wastewater into the sewer system. Ammonium liquids completely decompose after 7 days. Preparations made from bacteria are considered environmentally friendly, and some people use recycled waste as fertilizer.
Standards for installing dry toilets in the country
- need for ventilation
- the cost of portable dry toilets is $65; peat $70; electric $940;
- The cleaning frequency of a dry closet with a lower tank volume of 24 kg is up to 2.5 months for a family of 3-5 people. You should not wait until the bottom tank of a stationary dry closet is completely filled if its volume is large. Since cleaning 100 kg of waste is quite labor-intensive;
Advantages and disadvantages of dry toilets
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DIY septic tank in the country
This type of sewage system in the country is the most modern and environmentally friendly.
Note: a septic tank can also be called a simple one plastic tank, and the container in which wastewater accumulates. The septic tank can be manufactured at a factory or sold using traditional building materials– reinforced concrete rings, brickwork, monolithic casting of reinforced concrete walls, etc.
Operating principle: a septic tank is a container divided into sections (1-3) in which wastewater accumulates, settles and is purified by special bacteria. The result of this process is sludge and clarified wastewater, purified by 50%, which requires further purification, which can be carried out artificially or naturally.
Septic tanks with natural cleaning |
Septic tanks with artificial cleaning |
Septic tanks with natural cleaning are underground settling tanks, which consist of two chambers - two wells connected at the top or a ready-made plastic container with two compartments. In the first compartment, the sewage settles and the residue falls out. The liquid part of the sewer moves to the second compartment. There, organic compounds are decomposed with the help of bacteria. Clarified wastewater is discharged into filter wells or onto filtration fields - it goes into the ground, where it is subsequently purified. For a family of 5 people, a field of 30 m2 will be enough. If the site has unsuitable soil, for example, sandy loam or loam, then the filtration field must be constructed with an artificial layer of soil from sand and crushed stone. In this case, the filtration field cannot be used when groundwater occurs at a depth of 2.5 meters from the surface. In this case, a filtration field can be built at the dacha with your own hands in an embankment, the height of which is calculated from the occurrence of groundwater. Having passed through the thickness of the filtration field, the purified wastewater is collected in receiving pipes and follows them into distribution wells and then into a ditch. Instead of a filtration field, a filtration well can be used |
If the use of a septic tank with natural wastewater treatment is impractical due to the occurrence of unsuitable soil types or high groundwater levels, then a septic tank with artificial treatment can help. Installing such a sewer system at your dacha with your own hands is also quite simple. And the wastewater is purified after passing through the settling tank using a biofilter and an aeration tank. A biofilter is a container in which aerobic bacteria purify wastewater. An aeration tank is the same biofilter, but it uses a pump to pass oxygen through the liquid and enhance the reaction. Keep in mind that the use of microorganisms requires regular use. If in use standalone installation there will be a break of two weeks, then your microflora private sewer may die and wastewater treatment will become impossible without the introduction of special bacteria. |
Standards for using a septic tank for a summer residence
- the septic tank requires cleaning - up to twice a year, for which they call a sewer truck;
- Every 5-10 years, the filtration well or field must be recycled - the contaminated drainage layer is replaced with new sand and crushed stone. Today there are special powders on sale that, when used regularly, prevent silting of drainage;
- The groundwater level should be less than 2.5 m, there should be no boreholes or wells within a radius of 25 meters, the soil should have sufficient filtering capacity.
Advantages and disadvantages of septic tanks for summer cottages
Conclusion: the options described above will help in 60% of cases and will become an excellent autonomous sewage system in the country.
Now I will give the most thoughtful and economical option, which will cover 40%. This is a well for a septic tank, similar in design to a cesspool and a septic tank with natural purification (if the well is built on sandy soil, then throughput per 1m2 is 100l; If sandy loam soils under the well, then the throughput is 50 l). The filter well can be made of reinforced concrete well or brick; there must be holes in the walls total area 10%, and the bottom is made of gravel, sand and crushed stone. The sinuses of the well pit are filled with the same materials for drainage.
To make life at the dacha comfortable, it is necessary to carry out basic communications - water supply and sewerage. On suburban areas There is often no centralized sewerage network, so each house owner solves the problem independently. Occasional use home does not require the installation of expensive and complex equipment; it is enough to install a septic tank.
Often in dachas, the function of collecting wastewater is performed by a cesspool. If the house is not equipped plumbing system this option is fully justified, but when installing plumbing fixtures and large volume drained water is not enough. In this article we will talk about how to make a sewer system in your country house with your own hands. in various ways(from concrete rings, barrels, without pumping), and we will also demonstrate diagrams, drawings, photos and video instructions.
The sewerage system must be built in accordance with the developed project, which includes external and internal piping diagrams.
Two-chamber septic tank
The most convenient option is to install a collector consisting of two chambers connected by an overflow pipe. Let's find out how to arrange it yourself.
- Work begins with digging a pit in a place chosen taking into account all sanitary requirements. The volume of the structure depends on the number of people living in the country house. You can dig a pit manually or using an excavator.
- A sand cushion up to 15 cm high is formed at the bottom of the pit. The depth of the pit is 3 meters.
- It is necessary to install formwork made of boards or chipboard. The design must be reliable. Next, a reinforcing belt is formed from metal rods tied with steel wire.
- It is necessary to make two holes in the formwork and insert pipe cuttings. These will be places for the entrance of the sewer main and the overflow pipe between the sections.
- The formwork is filled with concrete, which is distributed throughout the entire volume using a vibrating tool. The design of the septic tank must be monolithic, so it is advisable to fill the entire formwork at one time.
- In the first compartment, the bottom is filled with concrete, a sealed section is formed, which will serve as a sump. Here the wastewater will be separated into large solid fractions that sink to the bottom, and clarified water that flows into the adjacent section. For better decomposition of solid residues, aerobic bacteria can be purchased.
- The second compartment is made without a bottom; it can be made not only from monolithic walls, but also using concrete rings with a diameter of 1–1.5 meters, stacked on top of each other. The bottom of the well is covered with a thick layer of sedimentary rock (crushed stone, pebbles, gravel) to filter the wastewater.
- An overflow pipe is laid between the two sections. It is installed at an angle of 30 mm on linear meter. The height of the pipe is located in the upper third of the wells. The number of sections is not necessarily limited to two; a four-section septic tank can be made, which provides better cleaning.
- The ceiling of the septic tank is made independently, using formwork and concrete, or ready-made ones are used reinforced concrete slabs. Be sure to install a hatch that allows you to control the filling of sections and the hood. The pit is filled with sand and selected soil. The sump tank of such a system will be cleaned every 2–3 years.
Due to the ease of installation, many summer residents prefer to make a septic tank from concrete rings.
If the soil on the site is clayey or the groundwater is located very close to the surface, it will not be possible to install a septic tank of this design. You can settle on a sealed container of sufficient volume, securely installed and secured to a concrete slab in the pit.
Another option is a biological treatment station. Local stations are convenient and efficient, they are indispensable for suburban buildings large area. The installation and commissioning of the device is carried out by specialists; the cost of such a station is acceptable for narrow circle summer residents
Laying the external main
From exit point sewer pipe It is necessary to lay a pipeline from the house to the septic tank. The main must lie at a slope that ensures the drainage of contaminated water. How larger diameter pipes you use, the smaller the angle of inclination required for their operation, on average it is 2 degrees. The depth of the trench for laying pipes must be greater than the amount of winter freezing of the soil. If the depth of the trench is small, provide thermal insulation of the line.
The average depth for laying a sewer system is 1 meter; in warm regions it is enough to go down to 70 cm, and in cold regions you will need to dig a pit up to 1.5 meters. The bottom of the dug hole is covered with a dense cushion of compacted sand. This procedure will protect the pipes from soil displacement.
The best option would be to lay a direct pipeline to the collector. If it is necessary to make a turn, this place will be equipped with an inspection well. For the highway you can use plastic and cast iron pipes with a diameter of 110 mm, their connection must be airtight. After installation, the pipeline is covered with sand and then with soil.
The design, which does not require regular pumping of wastewater, consists of several tanks operating simultaneously. These can be two/three-chamber septic tanks. The first tank is used as a sump. It is the largest in volume. In two-chamber septic tanks, the septic tank occupies ¾ of the structure, and in three-chamber septic tanks ½. Here, preliminary wastewater treatment takes place: heavy fractions settle, and light fractions are poured into the next compartment as the first one is filled. In the last part of the septic tank, the final wastewater treatment takes place. The water is then directed to the filtration fields/drainage well.
The first 2 compartments must be sealed. The last chamber has holes in the walls/bottom. In this way, purified water seeps into the ground, which helps avoid systematic pumping of waste without causing irreparable damage to the soil.
It is worth considering that in addition to organic matter, wastewater also contains insoluble impurities. In view of this, such a structure will also have to be pumped out periodically to get rid of the sediment accumulating in the sump. This can be done with a fecal/drainage pump. The frequency of septic tank maintenance depends entirely on the size/volume/composition of wastewater.
To independently construct such a septic tank, you need to correctly calculate its volume. It depends on the water consumption of your household. The water consumption rate per person is 200 liters per day. So, multiplying this amount by the number of household members, you will get the daily water consumption in the house. Add another 20% to the resulting figure.
18 m3. In this case, you need a septic tank that has a depth and length of 3 m, and a width of 2 m. By multiplying all sides, you get 18 m 3. The minimum distance from the bottom of the septic tank to the drain pipe is 0.8 m.
The advantage of the treatment system is that the sludge is processed by anaerobic bacteria, as a result of which it settles to the bottom in a much smaller volume. Gradually this sediment becomes denser and rises. When the sludge reaches the overflow level, the septic tank must be cleaned immediately. You should resort to cleaning a septic tank quite rarely. This is due to the fact that the volume of sludge in 6 months will be from 60 to 90 liters.
Volatile septic tanks have built-in pumping units. Their non-volatile analogues should be cleaned manually or using sewer equipment.
However, not so long ago, biological products with special enzymes appeared that convert sludge into acid, and then into methane and carbon dioxide. To remove these gases, you just need to install ventilation in the septic tank. Thus, your septic tank will become an absolutely waste-free, safe and energy-independent treatment facility.
Bacteria need to be “fed” with oxygen to make them work more efficiently. You can buy containers for a septic tank or make your own.
Before installing the finished septic tank structure, it is necessary to determine a suitable location for this. The minimum distance between the septic tank and the house is 5 m. The sewer pipes leaving the house must be directed directly to the septic tank. It is better to avoid turning the pipeline, because it is in such places that blockages form.
The septic tank should not be installed near trees, as their roots can damage the integrity of the body. The depth of the septic tank and sewer pipes directly depends on the level of soil freezing.
If groundwater is close to the surface, then reinforce the bottom of the pit with a concrete slab/screed. The dimensions of the pit will depend on the size of the septic tank. If you have to install a compact structure, then it is easier to dig a pit manually in order to save money.
The pit should be slightly wider than the septic tank body. The gaps between the walls and the ground should be at least 20 cm, and preferably more. If there is no need to strengthen the bottom, then you should still lay sand cushion 15 cm thick (meaning the thickness of compacted sand).
The top of the septic tank should rise above the ground. Otherwise, melt water will flood the device’s equipment in the spring.
After constructing the base of the pit, lower the septic tank into it. This can be done using cables placed in the ribs of the septic tank. In this matter you cannot do without an assistant. Next, connect the device to the communications, having previously dug trenches for the pipes, laid a sand cushion and installed the pipes. They should be laid at a slight slope - 1–2 cm per linear meter. The pipes are laid to a depth of approximately 70–80 cm.
The septic tank should be installed strictly according to the level. It will work better in a horizontal position.
To connect the sewer pipe to the septic tank, a hole of the appropriate diameter should be made in it. This is done according to the instructions for the cleaning system. After this, you need to weld the pipe to the hole. To solve this problem you will need a polypropylene cord and construction hair dryer. When the pipe has cooled down, you can insert a sewer pipe into it.
If you are connecting a volatile septic tank, then after these steps you need to connect the electrical cable. It is carried out from the panel to a separate machine. It needs to be placed in a special corrugated pipe and place in the same trench as the sewer pipe. There are special holes with marks on the septic tank. The cable is connected to them.
If the level of soil freezing in your region is high enough, then insulate the septic tank. Any type of insulation can be used thermal insulation material, which can be used for laying in the ground.
After connecting the electricity and pipes, the septic tank should be filled with soil. This is done in layers of 15–20 cm. To equalize the pressure during the process of filling the soil, you need to pour water into the septic tank. In this case, the water level should be slightly higher than the level of backfilling of the pit. So, gradually the entire septic tank will be underground.
If you are not satisfied with the finished plastic autonomous system to clean wastewater, due to its size or cost, then you can make a septic tank from several compartments yourself. Great inexpensive material to implement the plan - concrete rings. You can do all the work yourself.
Among the advantages of a septic tank made of reinforced concrete rings, we note the following:
- Affordable price.
- Unpretentiousness during operation.
- Possibility of performing work without the help of specialists.
The following disadvantages deserve attention:
- Presence unpleasant odor. It is impossible to make the structure completely airtight, and therefore the formation of an unpleasant odor near the septic tank cannot be avoided.
- The need to clean the chambers of solid waste using sewage disposal equipment.
You can reduce the frequency of the need to pump out the septic tank if you use bioactivators. They reduce the amount of solid fractions by accelerating the process of their decomposition.
If the installation of the rings is carried out incorrectly, the septic tank will not be airtight, which will increase the risk of untreated wastewater penetrating into the ground. But, with proper installation, the septic tank will be sealed, so this disadvantage of the system is rightly called conditional.
The design of a septic tank, as a rule, includes 1–2 chambers designed for settling and purifying wastewater and a filtration field/filter well.
If there are few people living in your house and a minimum of plumbing fixtures are connected to the sewer system, then you can easily get by with a septic tank consisting of one septic tank and a filter well. And vice versa, if you have many households and many devices are connected to the sewer system, then it is better to make a septic tank from two chambers and a filtration well.
How to calculate the required volume for a septic tank has already been described above. According to building regulations, the septic tank chamber must accommodate a three-day volume of wastewater. The volume of the reinforced concrete ring is 0.62 m3, which means that to build a septic tank for 5 people you will need a septic tank of five rings. Where did this amount come from? For 5 people you need a septic tank with a volume of 3 m3. This figure must be divided by the volume of the ring, equal to 0.62 m 3. You will get a value of 4.83. It needs to be rounded up, which means that to install a septic tank in this particular case you will need 5 rings.
The pit must be of such a size that it can accommodate septic tank chambers and a filter well. This work, of course, can be done manually, but it is time-consuming and very difficult, so it is more cost-effective to order pit digging from a company with excavation equipment.
The bottom of the pit at the site where the settling chambers are installed must be concreted in order to avoid the possibility of untreated wastewater penetrating into the ground. Before we start concrete works, part of the bottom of the pit should be drained to install settling tanks by laying a sand cushion on it in a layer of 30–50 cm.
If you do not want to concrete the bottom, then you can purchase reinforced concrete rings with a solid bottom. They will need to be installed first in a vertical row.
The place for the filter well also requires preparation of the base. Under it you need to make a cushion of sand, crushed stone and gravel at least 50 cm thick.
To install the rings, you will have to order the services of lifting equipment. Performing these tasks manually is very difficult. You can, of course, install the rings by digging under the bottom ring. But this method is labor-intensive. And the bottom will have to be filled after installing the last ring, which will entail a number of inconveniences. In view of this, it is better not to save on ordering lifting equipment.
Usually the rings are fastened together with mortar, but for greater structural reliability they can be fastened with metal plates or staples. In this case, your septic tank will not be damaged due to soil movement.
Now it’s time to organize an overflow, and for this you need to connect pipes to the rings. It is better that they work on the principle of a water seal, that is, they must be installed with a bend.
To seal the joints you need to use a solution with an aqua barrier. The outside of the tanks must be treated with coating or weld-on waterproofing.
Another option is to purchase plastic cylinders that are installed inside the well. In this case, the likelihood of dirty water entering will be minimized.
Installation of slabs/backfill
Finished wells must be covered with special concrete slabs, which have holes for installing sewer hatches. Ideally backfill excavation should be carried out with soil with a large percentage it contains sand. But if this is not possible, the pit can be filled with soil previously removed from it.
Now the septic tank can be put into operation.
The system for treating wastewater from barrels, like a similar structure made of reinforced concrete, can be two- or three-chamber. Sewage will flow into it by gravity, so it must be installed below the sewer pipes. The operating principle of this device is similar to the design of reinforced concrete rings.
To set up an autonomous sewerage system based on the principle of a treatment system, you can use any containers. It could be old metal/ plastic barrels. The main thing is that they are airtight.
If you decide to make a septic tank from metal barrels, then they should be pre-treated with an anti-corrosion agent.
Plastic containers have a number of advantages over their metal counterparts:
- A wide range of plastic containers that can be used to equip a septic tank.
- The barrels are highly resistant to the aggressive effects of wastewater. Therefore, they last longer than their metal counterparts.
- The light weight of the containers simplifies their installation at a permanent location.
- Plastic does not require additional processing, unlike metal.
- The high tightness of the barrels eliminates the possibility of penetration dirty waters into the ground.
Plastic barrels must be securely fastened when installed in the ground, because due to spring floods or winter frosts they can be squeezed out of the ground. In view of this, plastic barrels are secured with cables to a concrete base (it must first be poured or a reinforced concrete slab must be installed). To avoid crushing plastic barrels, backfilling of soil should be done extremely carefully.
For seasonal use, sewerage from metal barrels is also suitable, but for stationary use– this is not an option.
The popularity of metal containers for sewerage installations is associated with their compactness and ease of installation. As a lid, you can use an appropriately sized piece of wood or one provided by the manufacturer. For installation metal septic tank you need to dig a corresponding pit, which also needs to be concreted - the walls and the bottom.
Metal containers do not have a long service life even after treatment anti-corrosion compounds. Therefore, installing them as a septic tank may be unprofitable. Buying stainless steel containers is not an option, as these products are very expensive.
Maybe you decide that in this case you can buy barrels with thin walls. However, this is also not best solution, since during operation such a septic tank can be pushed out. And such barrels have a limited capacity - up to 250 liters, which is not suitable for a large family.
For installation reliable system It is better to use factory-made polymer barrels for wastewater treatment.
To make a septic tank from 220 liter barrels, you will need the following materials:
- geotextiles – 80 m2;
- sewer pipe Ø110 m, length 5 m;
- crushed stone fraction 1.8–3.5 cm, approximately 9 m3;
- corner for sewerage at an angle of 45 and 90º – 4 pcs.;
- plastic barrel with a volume of 220 l – 2 pcs.;
- coupling, flange – 2 pcs.;
- wooden peg – 10 pcs.;
- Y-shaped sewer tee– 4 pcs.;
- building level;
- drainage perforated pipe in the filter 5 m – 2 pcs.;
- epoxy two-component sealant – 1 pc.;
- glue for PVC – 1 pc.;
- plumbing tape – 1 pc.
Tools you will need:
- Shovel.
- Electric jigsaw.
- Rake.
For a cottage/small country house If used sparingly, standard plastic barrels will do. Install this cleaning system not difficult. If you do not pour black waste into the sewer, the septic tank will be unpretentious in maintenance. If there is a toilet in the house, then the sewerage system will have to be cleaned regularly by calling a sewer service.
For private homes with permanent residence, barrels will not be enough. For sewerage, it is better to purchase plastic cubes/tanks/tanks. The process of installing them in the ground is no different from installing barrels.
The distance of the septic tank from the house should not exceed 15 m. Too much distance will complicate the process of connecting the sewerage system to the house:
- there is a need for a large depth of the pipeline;
- On the way to the septic tank you will need to install an inspection well.
A sewage system made from metal barrels does not require large financial investments and complex work on installation. To begin with, as in previous cases, you need to prepare a pit, and then install 2 barrels, each of which has a volume of at least 200 liters. Then pipes are installed to transfer liquid from one barrel to another and transfer to the filtration fields/drainage well.
Each subsequent container must be located below the previous one in level.
The joints must be sealed, and the barrels must be insulated using polystyrene foam. After this, the pit and septic tank are filled up. Since, as mentioned above, metal barrels do not last long, you need to be prepared for the fact that after 3-4 years they will need to be replaced.
Pipe laying