Today, we will be discussing septic holding tanks for cottages, cabins, and apartments.
With city life becoming increasingly expensive, chaotic, and stressful, a gradual shift towards rural living tends to be on the rise. With this comes an opportunity of getting close to nature.
Unlike cities that are normally connected to central sewer treatment systems, rural areas don’t have such convenience.
Sewage Holding Tanks For Homes
In other words, you’ll need to be more involved with sewage management. This is what septic systems offer. Here, we’ll be taking a look at a key component of this system; the septic holding tank.
What is a holding tank? What functions does it play? Is it the same as a septic tank? How often does it need to be pumped? These and more are areas we’ll be discussing.
As you read through this article, your pressing questions about septic holding tanks should be fully answered.
Septic Tank Vs Holding Tank
Due to the similarities in the name, these two terms are often used interchangeably. So, are they (septic holding tanks and septic tanks) really the same, or are there any differences?
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Holding tank vs septic tank
To answer the question, you’ll need to consider their working principles.
Both of these tanks receive wastewater from the house through an inlet pipe for treatment. However, what happens next gives a clear idea of the differences involved.
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Holding Tank Septic System
A holding tank only serves to hold wastewater temporarily until the effluent is emptied to a treatment facility.
In the case of a septic tank, effluent is also emptied but this is much less frequent compared to the holding tank. A septic tank takes longer to empty because treated wastewater is released into the ground through the outlet pipe to the drainfield.
Here, filtration takes place which enables the effluent to be gradually filtered by the soil in the drainfield before it meets with groundwater.
This is a safe method of wastewater treatment that prevents groundwater pollution.
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With Holding Tanks, There’s No Releasing of Wastewater to the Soil
There are no provisions for the release of wastewater into the soil. Instead, everything stays in the tank temporarily. It is only removed and transported to a treatment facility when it fills up.
In most cases, alarms are installed on holding tanks. These are triggered to alert you about the need to empty your full holding tank.
How Often Do Holding Tanks Need to be Emptied?
From our discussion so far, it’s easy to see that holding tanks get filled up with wastewater easily. This is because soil or drainfield treatments for wastewater are non-existent under this type of system.
Because the holding tank gets filled up quickly, it must be emptied more frequently.
How frequent should such be emptied? It depends on the size of your septic holding tank.
Typically, this should be emptied every few weeks to about a month or more. Again, how frequently the holding tank is emptied depends on its size.
Smaller tanks will need more frequent emptying.
Household size also plays a role in how quickly a septic holding tank gets filled up. A large family having an improperly sized or small tank may require weekly pumping.
The advice of a septic system professional should be sought on the best septic holding tank size to get.
Consider Maintaining a Pumping Schedule
Due to the possibility of septic holding tanks getting filled up and causing leaks, it’s best to consider maintaining a strict pumping schedule. You’ll need to contact a reliable wastewater treatment company for such to be successful.
This takes away any fears of leaks that could cause contamination.
Why Use Septic Holding Tanks?
Ordinarily, most off-grid wastewater treatment systems like septic systems use septic tanks. However, there are times when holding tanks become more desirable. There are reasons for that.
For example, the soil type within an area may not be suitable enough to absorb wastewater.
Such conditions make it impossible to install a drainfield. Here, the easy way out is to use a septic holding tank from where accumulated wastewater is emptied and transferred to an off-site treatment facility.
You won’t find a septic holding tank having an outlet pipe to a drainfield.
Holding Tanks Need to be Pressure Tested
Oftentimes, you’ll find septic holding tanks built from durable materials such as polyethylene. Due to the nature of its use, the holding tank walls need to be thick.
Such tanks are mostly installed on the surface and serve as temporary wastewater reservoirs.
To ensure there are no breaches or leakages in the tank, they’re pressure-tested by manufacturers. This eliminates any fears of wastewater getting out.
Compared to septic tanks, holding tanks need to be maintained more frequently. Plus, both installation and maintenance of such tanks are best left to the pros.
Holding Tanks tend to be Cost-Effective
Compared to septic tanks, you tend to have value for money when installing septic holding tanks. This is seen in the less complex engineering process required for this installation job.
Here, you won’t have to worry about installing a drainfield, effluent filter, and baffles among other things.
These components of a septic tank are known to fail with continued use, thus attracting additional maintenance costs. All that added cost is avoided when you have a septic holding tank.
When installing a septic holding tank, you only need to cover expenses for labor, permit and site assessment.
More importantly, in a situation where septic tank installation isn’t feasible due to unsuitable soil conditions, a septic holding tank will be a much cheaper option.
The Involvement of Professionals is Vital
When it comes to installing and maintaining septic holding tanks, there’s little you can do as a novice. You’ll need to have a septic technician handle all your installations and maintenance.
However, you have to be wary about who does the job. Not everyone qualifies as a professional.
Reading verified reviews from professionals will go a long way to help you choose a competent and reputable septic management service.
Again, you have to avoid all forms of DIY installations for septic holding tanks unless of course, you’re a professional in this area yourself.
If you’ve read to this point, you should have a better understanding of what septic holding tanks are about.
Does this type of tank fit your needs? If you have no idea, you’ll want to consult a professional.