Cesspit Emptying & Pumping

If you live or operate a business in a rural location, chances are that you may not have access to the mains sewer. If that’s the case then there’s a good chance you are relying on a septic tank or cesspit to collect your wastewater and sewage. Whilst septic tanks are the more common of the two, if you are located close to a water source, a septic tank wouldn’t be suitable.

Whilst cesspits perform a similar function to septic tanks, unlike septic tanks, cesspits do not have an outlet or treat the waste in anyway. Essentially, a cesspit is a sealed underground tank, therefore a cesspit will require emptying on a more frequent basis.

Due to the additional frequency in which a cesspit needs to be emptied the annual costs of operating and maintaining a cesspit is far higher than a septic tank system typically making them unsuitable for domestic use.

Also, due the nature of a cesspit being a sealed system, they can be more smelly than a septic tank as the cesspit will require venting to allow trapped sewer gases to escape.

How Often Does a Cesspit Need to be Emptied?

You must ensure that your cesspool is emptied regularly by a registered waste carrier to ensure your tank doesn’t leak or overflow. The time between empties can vary depending on the size of the tank, and the amount of use. On average, cesspits will require emptying every 30-60 days.

How Much Does it Cost to Empty a Cesspit?

Again, costs can vary depending on the size of the tank. As a general rule of thumb, the cost to empty a cesspit is typically in the £200-£400 range.

How Do I maintain a Cesspit?

Routine inspections carried out by a professional waste management company is essential to keep your cesspit in good working order. Not only will regular maintenance help ensure costly repairs are kept to a minimum, a poorly maintained and improperly managed cesspit can lead to legal complications and hefty fines. If your cesspit is to be found to be in violation of the law you can receive a fine of up to £20,000. Your local authority or the environment agency can also make you repair or replace the cesspit if it’s to be found in poor condition.