Biological soakaway

[Royle]

I wonder if somebody can enlighten me, i am looking to buy a property the owner said he has the above system and it looks after itself and he has had it over 10yrs , i aked when it was last inspected and emptied he said it never has been and dosnt need any maintenance or emptying! Is this correct!!! Thanks in advance

[PeteandSylvi]

That sounds like a normal septic tank system used out here. The waste products bio-decompose and the liquid leaches into the surrounding soil through holes in the concrete pipes making up the tanks. They may need pumping out if the bio action is faulty or if the input exceeds the system's capacity. We have been in our home over 7 years and no maintenance has been required.

The alternative system is a cess pit which is a tank that receives the waste and is emptied as required.

Pete

[Jim B]

It depends on the ground how efficient they are.. I recently had to have a second one drilled as the first stopped soaking away and began overflowing. Cost over €2000.00 to have done.

Jim

[Devil]

I've been in this house for nearly 20 years. We have had no maintenance done either to the septic tank or the soakaway in that time. We are very careful what we put down the system; in fact, only body wastes, proper toilet paper and minimal detergents in the kitchen. No coffee grounds, tea leaves, potato peelings, cotton buds, nappies or other sanitary items. Minimise oils/greases and try to emulsify them on plates with minimal detergent. Machine washing of dishes and clothes is better than hand washing. No strong chemicals used.

[PW in Polemi]

They do, Happy in Cyprus. Not only all Devil said, but face/wet wipes too - have a look on the packet if you have any at home. You should see a "don't dispose of this in the toilet" sign. Every so often there's a "news" story about the huge fat berg removed from the sewers somewhere in the UK - and a write up of what, apart from fats and oils, went into its makeup. The list normally includes things like dentures, children's toys, biros, bones (presumably not from a large T bone steak!), various sanitary/personal hygiene items, cotton buds, spectacles, condoms, etc etc. Basically, if it's small enough to drop down the loo, it can be found in the sewers.

We always ask our guests to minimise their use of toilet paper and not to put anything down the loo that has not been previously digested! We are very careful with cleaning chemicals and have had no problem with our 9 year old septic tank. The big problem with having to empty the septic tank (apart from the smell at the time) is that along with all the sludge that gets sucked out, all the good digesting bacteria also get sucked out, so you have to start your culture off again - and put up with any intervening smell until the good bacteria can get their numbers up enough to cope.

[Royle]

Thanks everyone Seems i have no need to worry unduly.

[PW in Polemi]

The old chestnut used to be that you dropped a dead/decaying chicken into the pit to get the bacteria culture going again

I prefer to tip a pot of live yoghurt down the pit - especially if it's a BOGOFF!

[PaphosAL]

Very witty (and apt), Kay- BOGOFF!

PMSL! AL

[Expresspete]

Just about to buy a property in Peyia (I'm as green as grass) how will I know if I have a cess pit or a biological soak away please?

[surreyboy]

Chances are you have a septic tank, but ask your surveyor. Cess pits and biological soakaways are less common in Cyprus.