Septic Tanks and Cesspools
Parts of Dover Distrct are very rural and the main sewers do not
serve all areas. Instead septic tanks or cesspools are used. In
older properties these are built using brick and mortar but newly
installed systems are generally moulded forms of plastic or
fibreglass.
- Septic Tank - a chamber in the ground
divided into smaller chambers. The compartments sort solid waste
from liquid. The liquid is then allowed to enter the ground via a
soakaway. (A soakaway is a pit dug into permeable ground filled
with hardcore and usually covered with earth. Surface water or
purified effluent from a sewage treatment plant is drained into
this and percolates into the surrounding ground). These need to
emptied occasionally to remove sludge but not as often as
cesspools.
- Cesspool - a single chamber in the
ground storing sewage and wastewater until full. Once full, a
contractor is employed to empty it.
There are also relatively new systems known as Treatment
Plants. These are tanks containing bacteria to breakdown
the sewage. Electric pumps run the waste through filters and
the treated water is deposited into a soakaway. The tank
should not need emptying often but requires maintenance.
The pipework leading to all these systems will generally be the
responsibility of the properties it serves.
Problems arising with pipework basically fall to all the
properties affected by the fault sharing responsibility. If the
tanks become full or defective then all properties are affected and
share the responsibility for putting it right.
If a problem arises at Council properties served by septic tanks
or cesspools then contact the Council’s Housing Repairs
section.
- Telephone: 01304 872299 (9.00 to 5.00)
- Using the free phone in one of the Council's area offices
- Telling your Area Maintenance Surveyor or Housing Officer
- Email: maintenance@dover.gov.uk
To have your septic tank or cesspool emptied a contractor should
be employed. Dover District Council does not operate a Cesspools
service. Customer should make their own arrangements through local
or national companies.
Contact
Email: envhealth@dover.gov.uk
Telephone: 01304 872428
