Cesspool and septic tank for a summer residence with your own hands

It is possible to call living in a country house or in a country house convenient and comfortable only if there is a properly equipped sewerage system on the site. The modern building materials market makes it possible to install a sewage tank of any design, providing a choice of several options for solving the problem. Of course, factory sewer storage tanks and kits for their manufacture will require additional financial investments, however, an inexpensive, workable system can be made with your own hands. For this, various materials are suitable, including those left after the construction of the house. The decision to deal with the issue on your own will bring another bonus - by choosing the design of a septic tank or a cesspool without pumping out wastewater, you can also save money during the operation of the facility. Let us consider in more detail the process of building two simple, but reliable and workable structures.

Device, advantages and disadvantages of cesspools

The cost of factory treatment facilities is still quite high. A good alternative to such structures are homemade septic tanks and cesspools.

A cesspool is the easiest way to equip a local sewage system, due to which this type of sewage storage is most common in suburban areas. Making a waste tank of this type is quite simple. To do this, at a depth below the freezing level of the soil, a tank is installed or built, to which a sewer line is drawn from all drain points located in the house. After filling the pit with sewage, they are pumped out and removed from the site using sewage trucks. For this, the design of the storage tank provides a hatch, which is also used to monitor the level of wastewater.

Depending on the design, all cesspools are divided into two types:

• storage facilities without a bottom;
• sealed waste containers.

The first is a filtration type design. Once in the cesspool, wastewater is absorbed into the soil and, with the help of microorganisms, is processed into water and the simplest organic compounds. The coarse fraction is deposited at the bottom of the reservoir, where it is also exposed to bacteria, turning into sludge and liquid. In order for the decomposition process to take place more actively, special agents with biologically active components are added to the drains. Due to the absorption capacity of the soil and the processing of sewage by bacteria, the volume of wastewater in the reservoir is many times reduced. The remaining sediments are rarely pumped out, so structures of this type are also called cesspools without pumping.

Construction of a cesspool without pumping

Very high requirements are imposed on the choice of a place for installing filtration-type sewer systems, for non-compliance with which administrative and even criminal liability is provided. In addition, with a high occurrence of groundwater and a daily volume of effluents of more than 1 cubic meter, the installation of leaky sewage facilities is prohibited.

Sewer tanks of the second type are sealed systems, therefore, they require regular use of the services of sewage trucks. Nevertheless, such cesspools are the safest in terms of environmental impact and in some cases represent the only possible option for arranging the sewerage of a country house or cottage.

When constructing a sealed cesspool, one must be prepared for the regular use of sewage trucks

Advantages of cesspools without pumping:

• a simple design allows you to build a storage tank with your own hands;
• the possibility of using various materials for construction;
• increased interval between pumping wastewater;
• low cost and low operating costs.

It would seem that the design of filtration cesspools should not have alternatives, right? In fact, this option has significant drawbacks, which can sometimes cancel all the advantages:

• high requirements for the choice of installation site;
• decrease in absorption capacity over time;
• the possibility of unpleasant odors in the area;
• environmental hazard;
• the use of special bacterial compounds makes it impossible to use chemical detergents.

Skeptics who claim that cesspools such as a village toilet have been used for a very long time and have not brought any harm to the environment during this time, I would like to recall the multiple increase in water consumption in everyday life. This factor is complemented by a high content of household chemicals in wastewater, so such arguments can be considered insignificant.

The device and features of septic tanks without pumping

Having spent a little money, you can build a more advanced drainage system - a septic tank. Its difference from a simple sewage pit is the presence of several tanks designed for processing sewage by anaerobic bacteria. During the decomposition of organic waste, they are transformed into a homogeneous mass and the fetid odor is neutralized. In modern systems, the possibilities of biological processing and gravity settling are supplemented by forced post-treatment methods. The use of bioloads and biofilters allows filtering up to 95% of wastewater. Unlike a cesspool, an anaerobic process takes place in septic tanks, due to which all bottom sediment is processed into sludge and liquid.

The presence of several chambers allows the use of an anaerobic method of wastewater treatment with their subsequent withdrawal to the filtration well

Dividing the sewer tank into several tanks allows you to install an overflow system. Thanks to her, the drains go through several stages of purification, which make it possible to obtain water at the outlet of the device suitable for watering the garden and other household needs. If there is no need for this, then the excess liquid is simply diverted into the ground, equipping the filter bottom in the last chamber.

Just like a cesspool, a septic tank can be built with your own hands. Of course, it has a more complex design, but no expensive materials are required for its manufacture.

Having decided to install a septic tank on your site, you get a lot of advantages:

• no unpleasant odor due to hermetic design;
• you can completely do without the services of a sewer, using the sludge residue as a fertilizer for the garden;
• the risk of pollution of groundwater by sewage is greatly reduced;
• the multi-stage cleaning system works effectively for a long time, providing a constant sewer throughput;
• A septic tank is a structure that practically does not change the ecological balance of the area.

The disadvantages of this type of treatment facilities include:

• complicated design, involving the installation of several chambers, overflow and filtration systems;
• the need for complete tightness of the structure;
• higher construction cost compared to a cesspool.

As you can see, the disadvantages of the septic tank are few and are associated with the complexity of the design, which ultimately leads to an increase in the cost of construction. As for operating costs, they are considered insignificant.

Pros and cons of pumping

The existence of two parallel designs of cesspools and septic tanks, one of which is a storage type system, and the second is a filtration type, gives rise to many disputes about the cost of operation and efficiency of use. To eliminate any speculation and rumors, we will try to give a comparative analysis of the positive and negative aspects associated with the regular removal of wastewater from the site.

Advantages of sewer tanks with wastewater pumping:

• softer requirements for the choice of location for the installation of sewage facilities;
• high environmental friendliness of structures allows to comply with all environmental and sanitary legislation;
• long service life without the need to transfer the sewer storage tank to a new location;
• absence of unpleasant odors associated with the disposal of processed wastewater into the ground;
• there is no need to use special preparations necessary for biological processing and filtration;
• the possibility of using household chemicals of any type.

One of the disadvantages of pits without pumping out is that not all improvised materials can be used in their manufacture.

Disadvantages of systems with pumping:

• complication of the design of sewage tanks associated with the removal of liquid into the ground;
• it is necessary to ensure the tightness of the structure during operation;
• the impossibility of using chemical detergents in everyday life;
• the need for bioload;
• increase in the cost of construction;
• higher requirements for building materials.

When deciding on the installation of a particular sewer facility, first of all, it is necessary to proceed from the requirements of environmental and sanitary legislation. The opportunity to save is not always justified, especially when it comes to the health of others.

Cesspool from a barrel that does not require pumping out wastewater

For the manufacture of a cesspool without pumping, an ordinary plastic barrel is suitable

With a small amount of wastewater or occasional use of sewage, a plastic or metal barrel is an excellent option for a storage tank. When choosing a tank to connect to the toilet, you should give preference to a product of the largest possible size, since sooner or later you will have to remove the accumulation of non-degradable residues. Of course, in a humid, aggressive environment, a plastic tank that does not rot or corrode will be more resistant. Nevertheless, you can get by with a simple 200-liter metal barrel, for example, from under fuels and lubricants.

Preparatory activities

At the initial stage, it is necessary to determine the daily amount of wastewater. It should be understood that for a large volume of liquid household waste, you will need a tank that can hold several cubic meters of waste, equipped with an opening for removing sludge. If you want to make drainage from the kitchen sink, washbasin or washing machine installed in the country, then a small capacity will be enough.

Next, they choose a place for installing a sewer storage tank that will meet all the requirements of regulatory organizations and ensure the safe operation of the sewer system. In addition, it is necessary to make a small drawing indicating the depth of the pit, the points of entry into the tank of the sewage pipelines, and the design features of the filtration layer.

Tools and materials

For the manufacture of a sewage tank without pumping out, it is necessary to prepare the following materials and tools:

• metal or plastic barrel;
• angle grinder (grinder);
• electric drill and a set of drills;
• shovel;
• coupling and branch pipe for inserting a sewer pipe into a container;
• sanitary sealant;
• rolled geotextile (non-woven fabric);
• small crushed stone and gravel.

Remember that a small sewer tank is more prone to freezing in winter than sewage facilities designed for several cubic meters of wastewater. This, as well as the fact that disposal occurs due to the absorption of liquid into the ground, forces us to strictly comply with the installation conditions in terms of deepening the structure below the level to which the ground freezes.

Instructions for making a cesspool from a barrel with your own hands

Scheme of installation of a cesspool from a barrel. The drainage layer ensures the absorption of wastewater into the ground

A drain system without the need for pumping, made from an ordinary barrel, is a special case of a drainage well. To install the tank, you will need a small pit, which can be dug out in a few hours. Its width is chosen based on the need for a 20-cm gap between the walls of the pit and the barrel, and the depth should ensure that the tank is installed below the freezing point of the soil, taking into account the thickness of the lower drainage layer (this parameter is taken equal to 50 cm or more). For example, if the frost reaches a depth of 1.5 m, and the height of the barrel is 1.2 m, then the depth of the pit must be at least 3.2 m (1.5 m + 1.2 m + 0.5 m).

When choosing a place for future construction, they comply with the rules and regulations for the installation of filtration wastewater facilities, trying to maintain a minimum distance from the drain point. The phased implementation of the work will make it possible not to miss a single detail and avoid installation errors.

1. Drainage holes are made in the barrel. If you use a plastic container, then they should be staggered at a distance of 15–20 cm from each other.

   How to make proper drainage holes Too dense a network of drainage holes can reduce the strength of the tank, so this is not recommended.

   
   As a rule, drilling with a diameter of 12 - 15 mm is sufficient for the normal operation of the structure. At the same time, not only the walls, but also the bottom of the tank should be covered with a drainage network. In a metal barrel, the bottom can be removed, and instead of a drill, use a grinder, cutting grooves up to 10 cm long in the same way.

   

   Common Mistake - Too Big Holes

2. A pipe is mounted on the lid of the barrel for connecting the sewer. Its diameter must correspond to the size of the pipes that are used for the drain line. The junctions are treated with silicone sealant, which is applied both from the inside and outside of the structure.

   

   Installation of a branch pipe for connecting a sewer pipe

3. To protect the drainage holes from soil particles, the barrel is wrapped with non-woven geotextile. This material perfectly passes water and is able to perform protective, filtering and drainage functions for a long time.
4. Secure the geotextile using synthetic cord or adhesive tape. In this case, the inlet pipe is left open.
5. A 50-cm layer of crushed stone is poured at the bottom of the pit, and for a thin-walled plastic container, 5-10 cm of gravel or screenings are added over the drainage.

   

   Installing a tank in a hole. It should be noted that drainage holes not protected by geotextiles quickly become clogged.

6. Install the tank, orienting its outlet pipe towards the sewer line.
7. Using a coupling, connect the drain pipe to the barrel.

   

   The sewer connection can be made not only through the top, but also from the side. In this case, the cover can be used as a hatch for pumping out the bottom sediment.

8. The space between the tank and the walls of the pit is filled with crushed stone and the structure is covered with soil.

In a similar way, you can build a drain pit connected to a toilet installed in the country. The only thing that is needed in this case is to cut a vertical pipe into the lid of the barrel that goes to the surface. This is necessary for the periodic pumping of non-degradable waste.

Video: cesspool from a barrel at their summer cottage

How to build a septic tank in the country

No matter how big the cesspool is, over time its filtration and absorption capacity is reduced due to particles of grease and dirt that clog the drainage pores. You can avoid these shortcomings and practically avoid pumping by installing a septic tank in the country. A simple, and most importantly, durable and efficient design can be built from concrete rings, which have a very affordable price.

Design and calculation

Schematic representation of a three-chamber septic tank

Starting construction, determine the volume of sedimentation tanks of the structure. To determine this parameter, you need to know the amount of wastewater that is generated in the country per day. It is not necessary to accurately measure this value, it is enough to take a consumption of 150 liters per family member and add the water consumption of each piece of household appliances connected to the sewerage system.

The volume of the receiving tank must contain three times the volume of the daily sewage discharge. For a family of four, a primary chamber of about 2.5 cubic meters will be required. meters, that is, almost three standard concrete rings with a height of 890 mm and a diameter of 1 m. When building a septic tank, you can use ready-made drawings and diagrams. If they do not suit you with something, when compiling your project, do not forget about the correct ratio of the dimensions of the structure and the need to ensure the complete tightness of the receiving chamber.

Photo gallery: drawings of the future design

Diagram of a septic tank made of concrete rings Drawing of a septic tank from concrete rings Drawing of a septic tank from concrete rings Drawing of a septic tank from concrete rings

Tools and materials

For the manufacture of a 3-chamber septic tank you will need:

• concrete rings - 9 pcs.;
• covers with hatches - 3 sets;
• segments of sewer pipes with a diameter of 110 mm;
• cement;
• crushed stone;
• sand;
• reinforcement or steel bar;
• waterproofing;
• shovels and buckets;
• a container for preparing a solution;
• perforator.

How to make a septic tank from concrete rings

1. Using the services of an excavator or asking friends or relatives for help, you need to dig a pit. Its size should ensure the possibility of applying waterproofing to the outer walls of the structure.

   

   Preparation of the pit for the installation of concrete rings

2. The bottom of the pit is leveled and compacted, after which a shock-absorbing cushion is constructed. To do this, a 30-cm layer of sand is poured and carefully compacted, after which it is additionally watered.
3. At a distance of at least 5–7 cm from the bottom of the pit, an armored belt is installed, after which a concrete base for two chambers is poured.
   If it is possible to purchase rings made with a bottom, use it. This will reduce construction time and ensure good sealing of the bottom.

   

   Installation of concrete tanks

4. After the concrete has set, the rings of the first two chambers are installed using a crane or winch. To increase the tightness of the structure, a layer of cement-sand mortar is applied to the upper cut of the lower ring, and the rings themselves, after installation, are additionally fixed with metal plates. This will avoid displacement or destruction of the elements of the septic tank during soil movements.
   

   Tanks are located at a distance of no more than 1 m from each other.

5. The third chamber is a filtration well, so perforated rings are used for it. In addition, a drainage cushion is arranged under the last tank, for which the bottom is covered with a layer of crushed stone with a thickness of at least 50 cm.

   

   Installation of perforated rings of the seepage well

6. After mounting all the chambers, an overflow system is mounted, for which holes are made in the side walls of the tanks with a perforator. The pipe that connects the first and second chamber is installed 20 cm below the entry point of the sewer line. The place where the overflow enters the third container should be another 20 cm lower.

   

   Overflow system installation

7. Tank covers are mounted on the upper rings.

   

   Installation of concrete floors of tanks

8. All joints of the rings and the passage of pipes are carefully sealed with cement mortar, and after it dries, additional bituminous mastic is applied. The junction points are processed both inside the septic tank and outside, ensuring complete tightness of the structure. There is no need to seal the joints in the last chamber, since its function is to divert treated effluents into the ground.

   

   The key to the proper operation of a septic tank is reliable waterproofing of tanks.

9. Manholes are installed on the covers of the tanks, after which the septic tank is covered with soil.

With a large number of drains, the septic tank is connected to the filtration fields. They are a system of perforated pipes installed under a slope in a sand and gravel layer. Moving by gravity from the last chamber of the septic tank, the water undergoes additional purification. The main thing is that the distance from the filtration fields to groundwater is at least 2 m, otherwise the requirements of environmental and sanitary legislation will be violated.

The use of biopreparations allows the use of biological products to repeatedly increase the efficiency of the septic tank and reduce the contamination of the cesspool with fatty deposits. The bacteria that they contain actively process effluents into water and a small amount of bottom sediment. Microorganisms exterminate sewage so effectively that they can even be used to restore the drainage properties of cesspools. The only drawback is that such products do not work well at temperatures below 4 ° C. In this case, you can use special chemicals.

Bioactivators and care products for septic tanks and cesspools

It should be remembered that when using biologically active substances, the ingress of ordinary household chemicals into drains is unacceptable. For washing dishes and other household needs, special preparations should be used with the indication "Bio" on the package.

If the septic tank or cesspool has not been used for a long time, then the drains can be pumped out with a conventional drainage pump, using the liquid processed by bacteria as fertilizer for the garden or vegetable garden.

It should be remembered that a specially equipped sewage facility is not a garbage container. Materials of inorganic origin, construction and household waste do not rot, so they will pollute the treatment plant, reducing its performance. Use the sewer for its intended purpose and it will repay you with cost savings and reliable, long-term operation.

By installing a cesspool or a septic tank in the country, they get comfort and convenience comparable to living conditions in a well-maintained city apartment. Due to the simple design, this type of treatment plant is available for do-it-yourself installation, which avoids large financial expenses during construction and during operation. Nevertheless, it is not worth saving if the installation of sewage tanks carries the risk of environmental pollution.