The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On Tue, 22 Nov 2005 21:48:08 +0000 (UTC), SR wrote:


Hi Everybody,
Any thoughts on this one? I've an old septic tank - single chamber I
think - which discharges via equally old land drains. Drainage is not
good, which normally means 2-3 pump-outs during the winter months, and
some water coming to the surface. The soil is a heavy clay/sand mix so
drainage is poor anyway - I did a percolation test earlier this year and
in one test pit it took more than 24 hours for the water to drain away
completely. We recently discovered a previous owner has attempted to
alleviate the problem by extending the drain to link into a covered
ditch inside our boundary which takes the highways drainage. Not good,
and the this drain is often blocked anyway. Rainwater drainage off the
house is via a disused well.
So, what's the best upgrate plan? I guess the 'no expense spared'
solution would be new land drains plus a Klargester biodisc or similar.
I.E. roughly £9k based on recent quotes.


Should be nearer 5.5k Especially if you self install (digger, lots of
gravel, etc.)

That was more or less what I was expecting. Rough breakdown was 6.5k for
the tank installed, + 2.5k for a new set of land rains.

However, any suggestions for a

cheaper solution - e.g. I have heard of aeration kits to improve the
performance of existing septic tanks. Or is there any way of treating
the grey water so it can safely be discharged via a separate system - or
even down the well?


If building control get to hear of it, they will insist.

Quite, but what are options? IE, are there simple grey water treatment
methods - filtering for example? (I'm mainly curious here - as you say,
a proper sewage treatment plant for all the drainage is probably the
best way to go.)

SR