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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:01 pm
by henpecked
Just a few questions guys. Bought a holiday home in BG, the sewage is to a septic tank that's a 'soak away' type. Its in the vin-yard,about 100m away. This is the usual way in BG if you're outside of a city.
I know I should replace it, but a part of me says 'when in Rome' and the idea of doing it myself doesn't appeal 
The thought of getting rumped by BG builders doesn't either.
So, if I'm keeping it what's the best method of maintaining it? I know they're 'kind' of doomed to fail due to their nature, but we will be there probably half a dozen times a year at the most, so going OTT for this doesn't pan (did you get that one?) out financially.
Any advice would be great and its not the UK, so the rules are different . :;):
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 4:04 pm
by GB_Groundworks
why should you replace it?
my parents are still on a brick septic tank and leech field in our padock, and has been running unemptied for 25 years.....
in the good old days with a new one, you threw in a dead cat/dog/sheep/neighbour in to start the biological process going
just keep detergents and washing powder out of it if you can, dont overload it with baby wipes, sanitary stuff, kitchen towel, no dishwasher ie the fat from them.
i did some work for some townies that have moved on our hill and had to unblock there new sewage treatment works because they'd put a big wad of kitchen towel down the loo and it had blocked it, that bloody charmin stuff thats like cloth
Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1344006566
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 4:07 pm
by Ted
In my experience the best thing is to plant some bushes (ideally without thick roots) near it so they suck up the wastewater from it meaning you don't have to empty it.
Why do you need to replace it?
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:24 pm
by henpecked
Ta fellas. Great advice Giles and Ted, I was just going to replace it as a matter of course, then got thinking about the implications (30 years old poop ):laugh:
Its situated in a planted area anyway, so that would do the trick .
Glad you told me that ,Giles, I didn't think they had any any-more. Glad to know its not a 'real' problem, just maintaining it so it doesn't block 
Suppose its coming from 'proper' sewerage system and thinking a move away from that would cause the fabric of the universe to disintegrate. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:15 pm
by sussex
hi henpecked, dont think you have to much to worry about,were on septic tank it all works fine .once every two years the lorry comes round and sucks up the good stuff the water filters out through the soak away into the garden,jobs a good'en. ps every thing and its uncle goes down the pan,although not good if you aint having it emptied every so often .
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 6:08 am
by lutonlagerlout
we have a compost toilet on our allotments that i installed 3 years ago ,similar system to a septic tank and it works really well
we use biodegradable toilet paper,and have to throw a handful of hardwood saw dust after every job and it turns into compost
as said above "if it aint broke dont fix it"
LLL 
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 7:23 am
by Dave_L
Remind me not to handle any compost I buy from you Tone.................
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 7:53 am
by haggistini
Bulgarian vineyard ...... Your living the dream!
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 8:17 am
by lutonlagerlout
Dave_L wrote:Remind me not to handle any compost I buy from you Tone.................
some crowd take it away and sterilise it before turning it into pellets and returning it
natsol i think they are called
AFAIK no one wants it so it is used on flower beds
LLL
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 12:55 pm
by enigmaenigma
There’s nowt wrong with a bit of night soil hehe
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 3:20 pm
by henpecked