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External web link - http://mwwaste.co.uk/media/1281/eba_one2clean_betriebsbuch-3.pdf

Case Studies

Septic Tanks vs Cesspits: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse septic tanks with cesspits, but they function in very different ways.

Septic Tanks

A septic tank is an underground wastewater treatment system that uses natural biological processes to separate and partially treat household waste. These tanks are typically made from concrete, fiberglass, or plastic and are designed with two chambers, each fitted with T-shaped pipes to prevent floating scum from escaping.

How It Works:

Wastewater from your property (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, toilets) flows into the septic tank through a main drainage pipe.
Inside the tank, the wastewater is held long enough for the solids to settle at the bottom (forming sludge) and oils/grease to float to the top (forming scum).
The partially treated liquid wastewater (effluent) then exits the tank into a drainage field (soakaway).
The effluent is slowly released into porous soil, which naturally filters the water.
As the water percolates through the soil, harmful bacteria, viruses, and nutrients are removed, protecting groundwater quality.

Septic tanks are effective and eco-friendly systems—when properly maintained—but they rely heavily on a functioning soakaway. During periods of heavy rainfall, soakaways can become saturated, leading to backups and overflows.

Cesspits (Cesspools)

A cesspit (also called a cesspool) is a sealed, watertight underground tank used for waste storage only—no treatment or processing occurs.

Key Features:

Cesspits simply collect all household wastewater and sewage in a holding tank.
There is no outlet or soakaway system—when the tank fills up, it must be emptied by a licensed waste carrier.
Cesspits are usually installed in areas where septic tanks or drainage fields are not suitable (e.g. poor soil percolation, environmental restrictions).
Access is via a single manhole cover, used by tankers during routine emptying.

Cesspits require frequent emptying, making them more costly to maintain than septic tanks.

FAQs

Why is my Tank overflowing

Septic Tank Overflow:

A frequent issue with septic tanks—especially during periods of heavy rainfall—is overflow caused by excess water entering the system. Like any underground water body, septic tanks can become overwhelmed when groundwater or surface water infiltrates the system.

This increase in inflow can:

Cause the wastewater level inside the tank to rise rapidly
Push untreated water into the soakaway (drainage field), which can become saturated or blocked
Lead to tank overflow or even cause waste to back up into toilets and drains inside the property

Once the soakaway becomes clogged, the system can no longer function effectively, leading to unpleasant odours, hygiene concerns, and potential environmental risks.

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ISO 9001 Quality

ISO 9001 is defined as the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS). Organizations use the standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. It is the most popular standard in the ISO 9000 series and the only standard in the series to which organizations can certify. Download Certificate

ISO:14001 Environmental

ISO 14001 has become the international standard for designing and implementing an environmental management system. The standard is published by ISO (the International Organization for Standardization), an international body that creates and distributes standards that are accepted worldwide. The most recent version of the environmental management system requirements was published in 2015, and is referred to as “ISO 14001:2015.” The standard was agreed upon by a majority of member countries before being released and updated, and as such it has become an internationally recognized standard accepted by a majority of countries around the world. Download Certificate

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