The Brew Cabin

First I must say that this is an excellent web site.
I have planning approval for a 100m2 self build house project. I am looking for any advice about soakaways. Most of what I need has already been said in this site but there may be some extra titbits.
Without effective soakaways I suppose that my plot is not viable; I have been informed that I cannot discharge into the public sewer but I wonder if this is negotiable?
Initially I wish to dig a trial pit and wonder if it would be possible to use an engine driven post auger rather than break my back digging a 1.2 metre deep hole.
The location for my soakaways lies about 150mm above the ground level of the new house. Am I right to assume that this means I shall have to dig my soakaways deeper or will it present other problem?

Hi Bob,

taking your Q's one at a time....

Negotiable storm sewers - depends on your local authority. Have you spoken to them face-to-face?

There is a definite move away from allowing storm/surface water to be discharged into sewers, especially into combined or foul sewers nowadays. All part of what is known as SUDS - Sustainable Urban Drainage Sytems - which is intended to reduce loads in the sewers and the ETWs, as well as the rivers that eventually carry everything. That's why soakaways are becoming almost mandatory, in suitable areas.

But there's no harm in asking! :)

2 - You can dig your trial pit with owt you fancy. My personal favourite is a Liebherr 912 360degree tracked excavator, or, failing that, a JCB Sitemaster, but you can use an auger if you wish. They're great fun, until they snap your wrists! ;)

Finally, how can a soakaway be higher than your floor level? The depth of the soakaway is determined by the formula shown on the Soakaways page, and so you need to calculate roof and paved area, add around 20-40%% for safety, determine depth of water table (if applicable ) and then determnine how deep and how wide your soakaway needs to be.

Have you seen the D-rain Tanks? They're a cracking idea for you self-builders!

Thanks for your reply Tony

Just one question this time. What is a D-rain tank and where do I find info?

They're distributed by Hoofmark - see link on Drainage Links page.

I keep meaning to add a pic of them to the Soakaways page. As soon as I get the correct tuits, I will! ;)