Do-it-yourself septic tank without pumping and odor: simple solutions for your dacha

A cesspool is the simplest, but not very successful option for an autonomous sewer system in a private house.Modern technologies offer more convenient solutions, for example, local industrial cleaning stations.

A skilled builder is quite capable of making a septic tank with his own hands without pumping. What options for odorless septic tanks are popular among owners of private houses and what is required for their construction - we will consider all this in our article.

We will also give an example of assembling a septic tank from concrete rings and compare ready-made solutions offered by the market with homemade ones.

Operating principle of the treatment plant

Septic tanks are sewer facilities that almost completely recycle wastewater, breaking it down into safe components.

All work on the transformation of human waste is assigned to microorganisms. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria gradually convert unappetizing sewage masses into water and activated sludge.

Aerobic bacteria can work only in the presence of oxygen, but anaerobic microorganisms successfully perform work in sealed containers.

Such a vessel reliably cuts off unpleasant odors from wastewater, but in order to include aerobic microorganisms in the work, you will need to organize forced air injection into the septic tank.

In practice, such a wastewater treatment system consists of several containers or compartments.

The entire processing process can be divided into several main stages:

1. Primary accumulation of wastewater, separation of contaminants that are not biodegradable.
2. Recycling of remaining wastewater using bacteria, as a result of which the contents of the septic tank decompose into water and neutral sludge.
3. Additional treatment and sedimentation of wastewater, during which silt accumulates at the bottom in the form of sediment.
4. Disposal and disposal of treated wastewater.

All this takes time. Wastewater gradually moves from one section of the septic tank to another through overflow holes or special tubes.

Sludge obtained as a result of biological processing of sewage contents is called neutral or active.

Both names can be considered correct. This mass is neutral because it does not pose a danger to the environment.

Settled wastewater processed by bacteria is disposed of in the ground through a post-treatment system. In the diagram this is an absorption well, instead of which there may be an infiltrator or a filtration field

Moreover, sludge can be used on the site as a useful fertilizer for plants. This sludge is called active because some of the bacteria are contained directly in this mass.

Microorganisms that process wastewater reproduce themselves during the purification process. For this reason, there is no need to constantly introduce them into the septic tank.

If such a device is used incorrectly, the number of bacteria inside can decrease catastrophically. This happens if aggressive substances that destroy microorganisms enter the sewer uncontrollably.

This applies, for example, to chlorine-containing preparations, some antibiotics, technical oils, cleaners, etc.

In order to maintain the functionality of expensive equipment and protect the colony of bacteria from death, a septic tank used seasonally must be properly preserved

Another common reason for the death of microorganisms in a septic tank is improper preservation of the device for the winter. Some owners confuse the septic tank with the heating system and completely empty it in the winter.

This is incorrect; the device must remain partially filled even when not in use to maintain an environment suitable for bacteria to live.

More detailed information about the types and principles of operation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria is available In this article.

If the device is insulated and properly preserved, it is not afraid of either winter frosts or spring floods. It will not float or crack, even if some of its contents freeze.

It is important, of course, to install the device correctly. During wastewater treatment, bacteria effectively eliminate the characteristic sewage odor.

Purified and clarified wastewater that has been processed in a septic tank can be used for watering green spaces and for maintaining the territory

The resulting water, of course, is not suitable for drinking, cooking, washing or other household needs. With a high degree of purification, it can be used to water plants on the site.

Often water is removed through a filtration well or filtration field. Water gradually enters the soil, passing through a purification system, a layer of sand and crushed stone.

The sludge that settles at the bottom of a sealed container, of course, does not go anywhere.It accumulates, as a result of which the total volume of the septic tank decreases slightly. When the amount of deposits becomes critical, the device should be cleaned using a special pump.

Cleaning a septic tank is performed much less frequently than pumping out a cesspool, and this process is usually not accompanied by a stench, since the sludge has a completely neutral odor.

We advise you to read more about rules for cleaning a septic tank and the features of its preparation for the winter period of operation.

Comparison of VOCs and a homemade septic tank

Getting a septic tank is relatively easy; you can simply buy it.Modern VOCs - local treatment stations - are high-performance devices, reliable and easy to maintain.

This can be a relatively compact unit, internally divided into compartments with overflows. Processing of wastewater in such units is carried out by settling without the participation of technical devices.

If the units belong to high biological treatment systems, they are equipped with pumps and aeration systems to supply oxygen. This option depends on the energy supply.

Local biological wastewater treatment plants are high-tech complexes that are quite expensive and usually require access to electricity

As a rule, biorefinery stations are already insulated and equipped with a reliable sealed lid. VOCs that produce a high degree of purification are equipped with compressors that pump air into the device and actively aerate the wastewater.

This allows the use of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the wastewater treatment process, decomposing more than 95% of all wastewater.

But all such devices have significant drawbacks - high price and dependence on the availability of electricity necessary for the operation of technical equipment.

Options for overflow septic tanks of industrial production, in which no compressors are provided, are quite inexpensive and are quite suitable in price and durability for arranging a summer cottage.

But such models, in fact, are a modernized version of a cesspool.The degree of purification here reaches only about 60 - 70%, the water is suitable only for technical use after ground purification in an absorption well or filtration field.

More detailed information about existing types of septic tanks, the principle of their operation and recommendations for choosing the appropriate option for your needs is given here.

All this encourages owners of private houses to independently build a septic tank, which does not require constant removal of wastewater. This is not to say that this is a simple and easy job, but if the master has experience, for example, in building his own well, then he will be quite capable of creating a homemade septic tank.

In terms of money, it will definitely be cheaper than purchasing VOCs. And the result will be much better than using a conventional cesspool.

To make a septic tank, you need to choose a location, dig one or more pits, build sealed containers in them connected by overflows, make a filtration well, etc. No super complex equipment or special construction skills are needed.

Nuances of designing an autonomous sewer system

First, you should draw up a project for a new structure and find a suitable place for it on the site. The volume of a septic tank for a summer residence without pumping is not difficult to calculate. To do this, you need to multiply the number of people who permanently live in the house by 200 liters. This is the typical water consumption per person per day.

The resulting figure needs to be increased by another 20%. The result will be the required volume of the septic tank. This volume is distributed as follows: 25-30% of the volume is allocated to create a filtration well, and the rest is allocated to the main compartment or compartments of the septic tank. The parameters of a septic tank depend on its configuration.

To build a homemade septic tank from concrete rings, you will need to dig two or three pits separated by a distance of about 50 cm

The volume of a cubic tank is calculated as the product of length, width and height. If the container is cylindrical, then to calculate its volume you should multiply the height by the area of ​​the base. The formula for the area of ​​a circle is well known from a school geometry course: the product of the square of the radius and the number “pi”.

When determining the parameters of the tank, it should be remembered that the distance from the bottom of the septic tank to the entrance of the sewer pipe should be 80 cm or more. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the slope of the pipe.

When choosing a place for a septic tank, it is recommended to adhere to the following sanitary standards:

• a distance of at least 10 meters from residential buildings and water mains;
• a distance of at least 30-50 meters from sources of drinking water;
• more than 3 meters to fruit trees;
• more than 5 meters from the road, etc.

The larger the volume of the septic tank, the more stringent sanitary standards are imposed on it. Detailed information can be obtained in the relevant sections of SNiP number 2.04.03-85 and regulations SanPiN 2.1.5.980-00, which defines the rules for maintaining the purity of underground water.

In addition, the groundwater level should be taken into account, since the bottom between the conditional bottom of the groundwater treatment facilities and the ground water treatment system should be at least a distance of 1 m.

This diagram clearly shows the sanitary requirements that apply when choosing a location for a septic tank on the site of a private house

If the groundwater lies too high, even more serious requirements are imposed on the design of the septic tank: it must be absolutely airtight.

For a homemade design in such a situation, only a plastic container - a Eurocube - is suitable. Or you should give preference to an industrial storage tank. We advise you to read rules for choosing containers for a septic tank.

For each compartment of a homemade septic tank, you should make a lid through which it will be possible to carry out maintenance and routine repairs of the septic tank

Another important point when choosing a location for a septic tank is access for transport. Although cleaning a septic tank without pumping is not often done, the presence of special equipment can significantly facilitate this process.

How to make a septic tank from concrete rings?

One of the most popular options for a homemade septic tank is the construction of concrete rings. Ready-made concrete structures greatly facilitate the installation of the device compared, for example, with pouring concrete.

The process of creating a septic tank consists of the following steps:

1. Marking the area for the septic tank.
2. Digging a pit.
3. Installation of concrete rings.
4. Concreting the bottom of the pit.
5. Connection of sewerage and overflows.
6. Sealing and waterproofing of joints.
7. Backfilling the pit.
8. Installation of the upper ceiling with a cover.

But before purchasing the necessary components, it is advisable to make septic tank diagram and understand the installation features. The following photo selection will help you visualize the process of building a septic tank from concrete rings:

Under the concrete rings, of course, you need a cylindrical pit. You will need two or three such pits, depending on the number of septic tank chambers. If we are talking about servicing a small dacha, you can get by with just two cameras.

In the first, sedimentation and bacterial processing of wastewater will be carried out, and in the second, the disposal of clarified wastewater through a sand and gravel filter will be carried out.

The easiest way to make a pit for a septic tank is with an excavator, although if desired, this work can be done with a regular shovel

For a private house in which several people live, it makes sense to build a three-chamber structure. The first two cameras will be almost identical in design.

The first is where the sewer pipe leading from the house is inserted. The distance between the individual parts of the septic tank should be about 50 cm.

The depth of the pits is determined by the height of the rings and the thickness of the bottom, although in the last pit there is no need to concrete the bottom.

To carry out excavation work, you can use an excavator or carry it out manually, although this method is quite labor-intensive. On dense clay soils, you can first dig a pit and then install rings in it.

On sandy soils, they usually place rings in a selected location and select soil from inside the circle so that the ring gradually goes down.

Then install the next ring, etc. This method is very effective for constructing wells, but septic tanks are usually not that deep, so you can choose the method that is most convenient for you.

To lower concrete rings into a septic tank pit, it is most convenient to use special equipment, for example, a crane or winch

The pit has been dug, the rings have been lowered, and now you can start concreting the bottom. To do this, use a mixture of cement, sand and water in a ratio of 2:2:1. The composition is poured onto the bottom of the structure. Before you start using the septic tank, you need to wait for the screed to dry, this will increase its strength.

The joints between the rings are sealed from the inside and outside using cement mortar. It is recommended to use dry construction mixtures that are intended for use in areas with high humidity. After sealing the seams, they are treated with a coating waterproofing.

The outside of the septic tank is covered with a layer of waterproofing. Some craftsmen recommend lubricating not only the joints, but the entire container of the device

The trench for the sewer pipe leading from the house to the septic tank without pumping and odor is laid with a slight slope. At the junction of the septic tank and the pipe, a hole of suitable dimensions is made in the thickness of the concrete.

In the same way, overflow pipes are installed that connect the individual parts of the septic tank. All connections between the septic tank and pipes must be sealed and covered with a layer of waterproofing.

Instead of cement mortar, a gravel-sand filter is placed at the bottom of the last section of the septic tank.First, sand is poured and leveled, and then a layer of gravel.

It is also possible to use crushed stone of a suitable fraction for these purposes. The thickness of the filtration layer should be approximately 30-40 cm.

As the top cover of a septic tank made of concrete rings, a special round slab of suitable size with a sealed lid is used

After all the compartments of the septic tank are ready, you need to cover them with round concrete slabs, which can be purchased from reinforced concrete manufacturers complete with concrete rings.

These lids have holes with sealed concrete lids. All that remains is to backfill the pits, and the septic tank can be considered ready for use.

Other options for homemade septic tanks

In addition to concrete rings, other materials can be used to create a septic tank. Let's consider the most popular materials and options for manufacturing septic tanks.

Option #1 - septic tank from a Eurocube

We have already mentioned the Eurocube - a sealed plastic container.

Installing such a septic tank is relatively easy, but the low physical weight of the plastic should be taken into account. During a spring flood, groundwater can simply push a light container to the surface.

To make such a septic tank heavier, a concrete slab with metal hinges should be laid at the bottom of the pit. The container is fixed to these loops using a metal cable. Sometimes such a septic tank is made heavier with the help of some heavy object, which is fixed at the top of the device.

We recommend that you read the step-by-step assembly guide septic tank from eurocubes.

Option #2 - monolithic concrete structure

A concrete septic tank can be made using pouring.In this case, it is not necessary to make several pits; you can get by with one large structure and a rectangular configuration.

First, the bottom is concreted, then the formwork is installed and the walls of the septic tank are poured. To divide a large container into several sections, concrete walls are made inside.

To fill a concrete septic tank using a solution, you will need to build a wooden formwork, in which holes are immediately made for the overflow pipes

Holes are then made in them, which will act as overflows. The top of such a septic tank is covered with a concrete slab with a hole for the lid. Any septic tank should have a sealed but large enough lid. It is necessary to perform maintenance on the device.

Are you interested in this type of septic tank? We recommend taking a closer look at the manufacturing process monolithic concrete septic tank.

Option #3 - brick septic tank

A brick septic tank is made in the same way. The bottom is concreted, the walls are built using brickwork, and a concrete slab is placed on top. It would not hurt to treat the inside of such a septic tank with waterproofing. It should be understood that not any structure of this type can be considered a septic tank.

You can make a septic tank with your own hands from concrete blocks or bricks, but the masonry must be as airtight as possible.

Another option is to make septic tank made from old tires. However, such material cannot provide sufficient tightness to protect the soil from untreated wastewater.

Using tires, you can only make a permeable cesspool.The service life of such a device is significantly limited, in contrast to a capital septic tank, which, with proper maintenance, can last for decades.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

This video presents in detail the option of creating a two-chamber septic tank:

Of course, a homemade septic tank does not always provide the same high degree of purification as modern VOCs. But still, these structures function very successfully at relatively low costs for their installation and maintenance..

When constructing a septic tank, it is important to adhere to technical standards to prevent groundwater contamination.

Do you use a homemade septic tank without pumping? Tell us what type of structure you preferred and does your family have enough volume? How often do you clean and what steps do you take to prepare your septic tank for winter?

Leave your comments under our article - your experience in constructing and operating a homemade septic tank will be useful to many owners of private houses and summer cottages.