Septic tank soakaway help in central scotland - Availability of  local professionals

[wapdtm]

I've got problems with my sceptic tank and have had for several years, basically water backs up into the access manholes and the solids start settling in them. I pop them open every couple of weeks and completely rod the system to keep pushing the solids into the tank. However, as the water is constantly present in the manholes the solids start settling again and I have to repeat the whole process.

4 years ago a 'friend of a friend' was recomended to me as someone who was 'in the know' and offered to help me. To cut a long story short he installed a new soakaway for me. It seemed to work for about 6 months but then reverted back to what i have now..standing water in the manholes. He stated it was all due to the high water table and I'd have to live with it.

Having spent the past 3 and half years rodding the drains twice a month I finally decided to investigate in more detail. I should say the soakaway that was built for me amounted to no more than a pit being dug at the corner of my garden, the outlet from the tank being diverted into this pit and the whole lot back filled with pea gravel and coverd with top soil. I now know from my investigations that I probably need a professionally laid herring bone type soakaway that sits above the water table. I may also need an additional effluent tank to pump the fluid up above the water table, not sure though (the water in the manhole is about 3.5 feet down). I also realise I need proper porisity tests etc etc.

Basically I need professional help.....but thats where I've stalled guys ! I cannot find local specialist drainage contractor in Central Scotland, they are all either based in England or the far North of Scotland. Being situated in the Central belt between Glasgow and Edinburgh I guess the vast majority of properties are connected to mains sewage and hence there wont be much call for this expertise. However, surely there must be one company who could assist? If anyone knows of a good company based in Central Scotland that could perhaps help then please pm me with the details, dont reply to this post with any name or number as I dont want to breach the rules. However, please feel free to reply and share your experiences if you have already undertaken something like this, you can ommit the company name form the reply and pm me with that part.


Thanks in advance

Stevie

[Tony McC]

I've checked all my databases and I've no info on any land drainage specialists in the midland valley area. A few contractors I know do undertake drainage work, but when I asked them about this job, they were either too busy or not interested in a residential project.

Have you tried your local BM or civils supplier? They often know who, locally, undertakes just this type of work. If you wander in on Monday and ask to speak to the manager rather than the spotty herbert behind the counter, you might get pointed in the right direction.

[flowjoe]

As you have stated you need a sealed tank system that pumps the waste water above the exisitng water level, personally i would look at a small treatment plant with a built in pump and then you are putting clean water into an existing water table,

However you must speak to the relevent parties such as the environment agency, bco etc before you do anything as there are strict guidelines with regard to discharging waste water from a tank (though in theory you are improving the situation)

Treatment plants don`t come cheap and there is a certain amount of maintenance involved, i suspect you will need the ground dewatering for the installation which in itself could be as much as 1,500 squid.

Speak to the technical bods at Balmoral Tanks or Klargester, they may know of a contractor in your area, unfortunately my flask aint big enough for me to make the trip

[wapdtm]

Cheers Guys

I'll take your advice and that should get me started.


Thanks

Atevie