Cesspits and Cesspools

Cesspits and Cesspools

Do you need a cesspit  or are you unsure?

What is a cesspit or cesspool?

 A cesspit or cesspool is similar to a septic tank but has no soakaway attached and so needs emptying when full.

If you are looking at cesspits or cesspools because the Environment Agency doesn't allow you to discharge into the ground with a septic tank and you have a water course, river or a lake nearby, you should be able to use a treatment plant instead, a treatment plant could save you £££’s every year, please have a look at the treatment plants that we can offer you.

Did you also know that Cesspits and cesspools are illegal in Scotland?!

A cesspit is usually used as a temporary solution until you are connected to mains drainage but many campsites and caravan sites use cesspits to dispose of chemical waste.

Here are some of the problems you may encounter with cesspits or cesspools:

The cesspit can smell quite badly as it needs to be vented to prevent excess gas build up inside the cesspit.

Cesspits contain toxic gasses and should never be inspected - you could pass out and fall in the tank very easily.

Cesspits used in a domestic property have to be very large - starting at 18000 litres capacity.

How do you size a Cesspit for a domestic property?

Sizing criteria is based on a loading of 150 litres per person per day and a cesspit needs to have sufficient capacity to hold the waste for 45 days, 6750 litres per person using the property.  The minimum capacity for a cesspit should be 18000 litres.
Example: 4 bedroom house will need a 40500 litre capacity cesspit - please go to our 'How to Size a Septic Tank' page for more detailed information.

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