How to make a septic tank without pumping out with your own hands - a step-by-step guide and photos of budget options. Which septic tank to choose: rating of the best sewage treatment plants Drainage and filtration fields

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

A skilled builder is quite capable of making a septic tank with his own hands without pumping out. What options for odorless septic tanks are popular among owners of private houses and what will be 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 the ready-made solutions offered by the market with homemade products.

Sewerage facilities are called septic tanks, which practically completely process wastewater, decomposing them into safe components.

All work on the transformation of human waste is assigned to microorganisms. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, which have little appetizing sewage masses, are gradually converted into water and activated sludge.

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If the device is insulated and properly mothballed, 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, of course, important to correctly install the device. In the process of wastewater treatment, bacteria effectively eliminate the odor characteristic of the sewage system.

The resulting water is, of course, not suitable for drinking, cooking, doing laundry 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 ground, passing through a treatment system, a layer of sand and gravel.

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

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Outside, the septic tank is covered with a layer of waterproofing. Some masters recommend to coat not only the joints, but the entire capacity of the device.

The trench for the sewer pipe leading from the house to the septic tank without pumping out and smelling 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, which connect the individual parts of the septic tank. All joints of the septic tank with pipes must be sealed and covered with a layer of waterproofing.

At the bottom of the last section of the septic tank, instead of cement mortar, a gravel-sand filter is laid. First, sand is poured and leveled, and then a layer of gravel.

It is also allowed 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 upper ceiling of a septic tank made of concrete rings, a special round plate of a 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 precast concrete manufacturers, complete with concrete rings.

These covers have holes with sealed concrete covers. It remains to backfill the pits, and the septic tank can be considered ready for operation.

Other options for homemade septic tanks

In addition to concrete rings, you can use other materials to create a septic tank. Consider the most popular materials and options for making septic tanks.

Option # 1 - septic tank from eurocube

The eurocube has already been mentioned - a sealed plastic container.

It is relatively easy to install such a septic tank, 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 with a metal cable. Sometimes such a septic tank is weighted with the help of some heavy object, which is fixed at the top of the device.

Option # 2 - monolithic concrete structure

A concrete septic tank can be made by pouring. In this case, it is not necessary to make several pits, you can get by with one large-sized 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 capacity into several sections, concrete walls are made inside.

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

A septic tank can be made with your own hands from concrete blocks or bricks, but the masonry should be as tight as possible.

Another option is to make. However, such a material cannot provide sufficient airtightness to protect the soil from untreated effluent.

With the help of tires, you can only make a version of a permeable cesspool. The life of such a device is significantly limited, in contrast to a capital septic tank, which, with proper maintenance, can serve for decades.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

This video shows 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. Nevertheless, these structures function very successfully with relatively low costs for their installation and maintenance.

When building a septic tank, it is important to adhere to technical standards in order to prevent contamination of groundwater.

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

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

A sealed storage septic tank or cesspool is one of the simplest and most affordable types of local sewerage. However, this type of treatment facilities, along with the indisputable advantages, has one, and very significant, disadvantage.

The need to regularly pump out the accumulated wastewater is quite expensive for the owner. Using the sewerage system of a country house once a week for several summer months will not make a big gap in the family budget.

Another thing is a full-fledged country house, designed for a family of 3-5 people, washing and taking a bathroom every day requires a radically different approach to organizing local sewerage.

The topic of today's article is septic tanks without pumping out, which do not require regular maintenance. The basic principle of work, the most common models of well-known manufacturers and types of septic tanks "from scrap materials" - this is the summary of our conversation.

The composition of domestic wastewater is surprisingly diverse. Grease, detergents, solid organic inclusions, dust, earth and sand - all this gets into the receiving chamber of any septic tank, regardless of design.

It also undergoes the process of primary treatment and clarification of effluents by the method of gravitational sedimentation. Large and heavy organic inclusions, sand and earth settle to the bottom, fatty film and small debris float to the surface, forming the so-called "biological crust".

The layer of precipitated organic matter is exposed to colonies of anaerobic microorganisms that convert complex organic matter into simple soluble compounds and harmless sludge.

The water thus purified is poured into a bioreactor, where aerobic bacteria are taken to work, or into a chamber without a bottom, which discharges wastewater into natural filtration fields. But these are already particulars, depending mainly on the design and principle of operation of the treatment plant.

Photo: septic tanks without pumping

We are interested in the sludge remaining at the bottom of the first chamber - the sump, because it is this that must be periodically removed from the volume of the septic tank. Excessive silting leads to the ingress of semi-decomposed organic matter into the subsequent sections and chambers of the septic tank, which leads to a deterioration in efficiency, and, as a systematic end, breakdown.

The conclusion is unambiguous - any septic tank needs cleaning. Another thing is that the interval between commissioning and the first arrival of a sewage truck can be 10-15 years.

Factory septic tanks without pumping

Topas, Poplar and Tver are the most common models of this type of engineering structures. All of them are local treatment plants operating on the principle of biological decomposition of organic matter.

Photo: septic tanks Topas septic tank Poplar

Schematically, such septic tanks consist of a receiving chamber, or a primary purification chamber, a preliminary biological decomposition of organic matter, aeration chambers and a bioreactor, where the main purification stage takes place.

Optionally, it is possible to equip sewage treatment plants with lime filling, the main role of which is to bind fluoride compounds. The degree of wastewater treatment that has passed through such facilities reaches 98-99%.

Guided by the norms of SNiP, these waters do not require additional additional treatment in the filtration fields and can be discharged into the folds of the terrain or nearby natural reservoirs.

However, local treatment plants of this type require regular maintenance, which consists in replacing waste biological and lime filling, cleaning filters, and removing accumulated sludge. The frequency of maintenance is from six months to a year.

Photo: factory septic tanks without pumping

Do-it-yourself local treatment facilities

Without pumping out, from eminent domestic manufacturers, most owners of suburban areas are not satisfied with the relatively high price and dependence on the availability of electricity.

Photo: local treatment facilities

After spending a week of time, any "handy" master can build a local treatment plant using the instructions below.

Two-chamber is the most common engineering structure among the owners of summer cottages. It is a storage chamber, the working volume of which must be at least three times the daily discharge of water, and for the calculation, the day with the maximum water consumption should be taken.

Photo: two-chamber septic tank without pumping

The chamber is a sealed container, in which, at a height of 2/3 of the bottom, an overflow is organized into a second, unsealed chamber, the role of the bottom in which is played by a filtering layer consisting of sand and fine gravel.

It can be the natural soil of the site, or be bulk. An important note - the volume of the unpressurized chamber is not included in the working volume of the septic tank in the calculations.

Partially purified by the method of gravity settling in the first chamber, the wastewater flows through the overflow into the unpressurized chamber. From it, passing through the filtering layer, which plays the role of the bottom, the plums are cleaned up in the surrounding soil.

Where to position correctly

When arranging a local wastewater treatment plant, it is necessary to accurately determine its location.

One of the main conditions is the direction of the flow of groundwater in the area. The septic tank should be located downstream of a well, well or any other source of drinking water.

Important! The distance to the source must be at least 25 meters. Otherwise, there is a high probability of contamination of drinking water with toxic organic compounds contained in wastewater.

The septic tank should be located no closer than 20 meters from the foundation of a house, garage or other outbuildings. This requirement is due to the constant seepage of water into the ground surrounding the second, leaky chamber.

Photo: location

Excessive moisture and groundwater movement can lead to erosion of the foundations of buildings.

A local treatment plant should be located at least 50 meters from open natural reservoirs. Such a measure prevents the ingress of wastewater with a low degree of purification into natural water bodies.

What materials is it made of

Almost all materials at hand are suitable for the construction of a do-it-yourself cleaning station. A septic tank made of concrete rings, as the name implies, uses reinforced concrete structures as walls of wells, as there are options from car tires, old iron or plastic barrels.

Photo: septic tank without pumping out of concrete rings

One of the most popular designs is the concrete pit. So, the list of required materials:

• concrete solution for walls or a concrete cushion-base (for septic tanks made of concrete rings and car tires);
• reinforced concrete rings, tires, barrels or other material for the walls of the well;
• asbestos pipes, PVC or metal, for the organization of overflow, ventilation and pumping. She will come in handy sometime;
• PVC pipes with a diameter of 100 mm for a water conduit from home to a septic tank;
• construction sealing mixtures (used to seal seams and joints between reinforced concrete rings);
• fine gravel and clean river sand for the filtration layer of the second, leaky, chamber

Service

Like any engineering structure, local treatment plants require regular technical inspection.

Factory models, such as the Tver septic tank, and the like, need regular replacement of lime fill, gravel or other base for the habitation of colonies of aerobic or anaerobic microorganisms, removal of decomposition products of organic compounds, sand, dust and dirt.

Photo: service

Also, during maintenance, an inspection of the compressors is carried out, which are responsible for forced aeration of effluents and the operation of airlifts.

DIY septic tanks are much less demanding. They are non-volatile, the inflow, overflow and removal of treated effluents occurs by gravity.

The only parameter that requires periodic monitoring is the level of sludge and inorganic debris in the first settling chamber. When the critical level is reached - flush with the lower edge of the overflow pipe, you need to think about pumping.

Sludge trapped in the second, leaky chamber, will mix with the material of the filter layer and significantly reduce the efficiency of the structure. Measurement is made with a stick, pipe or meter rod.

Pumping out

The settling chamber can be cleaned both through a separately mounted pumping pipe and through the technological ventilation openings.

In the first case, the lower section of the pipe is located at a distance of 20-30 centimeters from the bottom and is equipped with an additional hole for vacuum relief.

Photo: pumping out a septic tank

When pumping out sludge through the ventilation holes, an additional nozzle is used, which fits tightly into the main pipe. Typically, attachments are made of PVC or plastic.

For the convenience of work, the pipe through which the pumping is carried out can be equipped with a standard European adapter for connecting the pump hose.

Hose length

As a rule, the capacity of pumping units installed on sewage trucks is very limited. It is enough for lifting solid waste from a depth of no more than 2.5 meters.

Consequently, the depth of the chamber of the septic tank and the length of the hose are limited by this parameter.

Photo: two-chamber septic tank

Evacuation pump

Since the pumped waste contains solids that are sometimes quite large in size, a standard drain pump will not work for cleaning the settling chamber. It is necessary to use special equipment - fecal pumps.

They are equipped with cutting blades that grind particles up to 80 mm in size. True, this parameter strongly depends on the pump model. The ideal option for pumping out a septic tank is a portable surface fecal pump.

The low price and mobility of the device will allow it to be used for servicing several local cleaning stations.

Photo: pump installation diagram

Pumping machine

The simplest option is a flusher on the chassis of GAZ trucks. Equipped with waste container and faecal or vacuum pump. Widespread in rural areas.

A modern sewer station is a much more serious unit. In addition to simple pumping, such a car flushes and disinfects all internal surfaces of the septic tank.

The water for flushing is in the waste storage tank, the outlet pressure is generated by an internal movable baffle. It is assembled, as a rule, on the chassis of foreign-made trucks.

Photo: cesspool machine

Price

It should be understood that there is no unambiguous and fixed price. The cost of services is influenced by such factors as the remoteness of the facility from the location of the equipment, the complexity of the entrance and the volume of waste pumped out. On average, the price is from 2000 to 3000 rubles.

Video: construction

A well-organized system of autonomous sewerage has become a guarantee of comfortable living outside the city. Here, a septic tank replaced the centralized connection to utilities. The flaw in its design was the regular maintenance by the sewers. Today, most summer residents know how to make a septic tank without pumping out with their own hands. There is nothing complicated in its structure and principle of operation, it is enough to study the installation scheme, the nuances of placement and the main characteristics of the models.

Three-chamber septic tank scheme

Wastewater treatment plant design

The complexity of building a septic tank without pumping out depends on its performance, device and selected material. All models of the treatment plant work according to the same principle: the wastewater is mechanically separated into fractions, processed by anaerobic bacteria and sent for filtration and discharge.

High efficiency in wastewater treatment can be achieved using a compressor and aerator design. At the outlet of such a system, industrial water is obtained, suitable for household needs. The biological treatment station has a high productivity, it does not need pumping out and is environmentally friendly. The main disadvantage of the device is the need to connect to the power supply, therefore, for the uninterrupted operation of the sewer system, it is better to choose a non-volatile option.

The septic tank provides accumulation and filtration of effluents. Their cleansing occurs under the action of microorganisms. In order for the bacteria to have time to properly disinfect the waste before seeping into the soil, it is not enough to install a single-chamber structure. The best option for an autonomous septic tank for a country house would be the construction of a two or three-chamber treatment plant.

Attention. It will not be possible to completely avoid pumping out, but with the correct size of the septic tank, it is done every 10 years.

The principle of operation of the "eternal" septic tank

The best option, ensuring the long-term operation of the structure without maintenance, is the installation of three tanks. Two of them have a sealed structure, and a layer of gravel and crushed stone is poured on the bottom of the third. Each tank is equipped with a service hatch and a vent pipe for evacuating gases. The process of processing organic matter is slow, so an unpleasant odor does not spread from the septic tank.

The drain from the house is connected to the first chamber; all parts are connected to each other by overflows located in the upper part of the structure. The container into which the drains fall has the largest size, it occupies 50% of the total volume. In the receiving chamber, settling takes place, in which heavy fractions sink to the bottom under the influence of gravity. A greasy film and fine suspended matter remain in the partially clarified water, which, after reaching the overflow level, is sent to the next chamber.

Advice. Bottom sediments are treated with anaerobic bacteria, microorganisms can be added from the outside by letting them down the drain.

In the second chamber, the decomposition of organic matter into sludge and gas continues. When the level rises, water enters the last chamber, which is a filter well. Thanks to the layer of crushed stone, the remains of solid fractions are removed from the liquid.

The need to pump out the septic tank may arise when bottom sediments fill the first chamber, but due to its size and the vital activity of bacteria, this process lasts for years.

Productivity and location of the treatment plant

The first thing they face when choosing a sump model is its size. For self-calculation, a simple formula is used: the standard of 200 liters is multiplied by the number of residents and tripled. For a family of four you will need: 200x4x3 = 2400 liters or 2.4 cubic meters. m. According to this scheme, it is easy to find out the optimal volume of the septic tank. When calculating, it is worth adding 20% ​​for the reserve, because over time, bottom sediments will increase and take away useful area.

Attention. An incorrect calculation of productivity with an extra volume turns into the death of bacteria, with an insufficient size - flooding of the site.

When choosing a site for a treatment plant, take into account:

• sanitary standards;
• ground water level;
• the depth of freezing in the region.

According to sanitary rules and documents, the safe distance from the septic tank to water bodies and buildings is:

• residential building - 5m;
• well - 20-50 m;
• reservoir - 30 m;
• water pipes - 10 m;
• neighboring plot - 2m.

A septic tank without pumping and odor, when installed with your own hands, is buried to a depth below freezing. It should be separated from the aquifer at least 1 meter.

What materials is a reliable septic tank built of?

In the manufacture of a sewage treatment plant, they try to use improvised building materials on their own, but not all of them are able to ensure tightness and durability of operation. The most common design options are:

• construction of plastic containers (euro cubes);
• concrete rings with a bottom and a filter layer;
• septic tank from car tires;
• monolithic concrete structure.

To understand the strengths and weaknesses of the listed materials, we will consider each structure in detail.

Construction from eurocubes

For a septic tank device, you will need two or three containers. One of them is cut out the bottom to create a filtration layer. Plastic tanks must be placed in a metal frame welded from a profile, this will protect the structure from the effects of soil. Before installation, the inlet and outlet pipes are inserted into the tanks and the holes for the ventilation pipe are cut out. All joints are treated with silicone.

The pit for the tanks is dug with a slope, the second container should be located 20 cm lower than the first. To fix lightweight Euro cubes, a concrete slab is poured at the bottom of the pit, to which the tanks are attached. This will prevent the septic tank from rising by groundwater.

Septic tank from eurocubes with ventilation pipes

Advantages:

• tightness of containers;
• easy installation;
• durability.

Disadvantages:

• the need to secure.

Construction of tires

Car tires are sometimes used when they are installed without electricity. The design is designed for a small volume of drains. Two holes are dug under the tires, according to the estimated performance. The tires are connected with clamps, and the joints are treated with a sealant. The bottom of the first chamber is lined with polyethylene or roofing felt, with better installation - concreted. For a large family, tires of an increased diameter are used.

Tire connection for sewage treatment plant

Advantages:

• material availability;
• simple installation.

Disadvantages:

• freezing in winter;
• rapid loss of shape and tightness;
• short service life.

Reinforced concrete rings

You can quickly assemble a septic tank without pumping out and electricity from factory concrete rings. They are offered as a complete set, with bottom and overlap. A robust construction, bonded at the joints with cement mortar and treated with waterproofing, ensures high tightness and safety against flooding. Tanks from rings are obtained of the same size, they are connected with plastic pipes with a diameter of 110 mm.

Under such a septic tank, laborious earthwork will be required, including digging two or three pits and a trench for a sewer pipe. The depth of the wells made of rings is 3-4 meters. Tees are installed at the ends of the inlet and outlet pipes to avoid clogging. For access to the elements and cleaning, use hatches or ventilation holes made directly above the tee. All chambers are covered with slabs with hatches and sealed. When filling the wells, a clay castle is made.

Advice. For the equipment of a drainage well, you can buy a special ring with perforation over the entire surface.

Advantages:

• strength and durability;
• the material is not afraid of soil pressure;
• the structure does not freeze in winter.

Disadvantages:

• labor intensity of installation;
• the need for thorough waterproofing;
• use of a crane.

Monolithic concrete treatment plant

One of the most successful designs of a non-volatile septic tank for a summer residence without pumping is made of concrete. For a non-permanent residence, you can make a structure in two sections, and for a country house it is better to increase its size to three. This option is not inferior in strength to a septic tank made of concrete rings, but it is carried out independently, without the involvement of special equipment.

When digging a pit, it should be borne in mind that the inner size of the sections will be smaller due to the thickness of the walls. It will take longer to build such a structure than other options. The pouring of concrete walls occurs in stages, with interruptions for solidification. The septic tank is a rectangular sealed tank, divided into sections. The walls and bottom of the chambers must be reinforced before the concrete is poured. Edged boards are used as formwork and spacers. Overflow plastic pipes are inserted into the partitions at an angle, the drain from the house is supplied to the first chamber. Here the effluent will be separated and fed to the second section, where decomposition by microorganisms will continue. The last section is performed without a bottom, sand is poured instead of it, and then a layer of rubble. Through a natural filter, the effluent will go into the soil.

Two-chamber septic tank made of monolithic concrete

Advice. In the manufacture of concrete, Portland cement of the M400 brand is used.

After the construction of the septic tank, the floor slab is poured. A hatch and space for a ventilation pipe are left in it.

Advantages:

• tightness and reliability;
• durability;
• high performance;
• autonomy.

Disadvantages:

• laborious and lengthy construction process.

Bath septic tank

The bathhouse is one of the attributes of suburban life, its use presupposes household wastewater that needs to be disposed of. Depending on the device or the absence of a toilet in the room, a sump with one or two chambers can be made.

Single chamber construction

A tank without a bottom can be built to clean up "gray waste" consisting of soapy water and small amounts of organic matter. In it, water is purified by passing through a filtration layer of crushed stone and gravel. The depth of the well must be at least 1 meter. The material for its construction is:

• plastic container with holes;
• a barrel without a bottom;
• concrete rings;
• brick.

Two-chamber cleaning

If there is faecal matter in the effluent, more thorough cleaning is necessary. In this case, a septic tank for a bath without pumping out requires the equipment of two chambers. In the first, settling of effluents and separation into fractions will take place. The clarified water will overflow into the drainage well, which is the second chamber, and seep into the soil.

A septic tank without pumping, made by hand, is not inferior in efficiency to factory models, but will cost much less.

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Today septic tanks are especially popular, as they relieve the owner of the site from the need to connect to a centralized wastewater discharge system - these devices allow you to purify wastewater right on the site. But they are quite expensive. Fortunately, there are budget septic tanks for summer cottages without pumping out, which almost any gardener can build.

Principle of operation

Septic tanks are structures designed for the collection and treatment of domestic wastewater. Installed directly in the garden. There are several types of these structures, differing from each other in functionality and cleaning method. For example, there are septic tanks that simply accumulate wastewater from the sewage system - roughly speaking, this is an analogue. Such septic tanks need regular cleaning as they fill, and only suction trucks can perform this procedure, and this is a rather expensive procedure. The water in such devices is not cleared of feces and other unpleasant substances and compounds.

There are septic tanks in which cleaning takes place with the help of microorganisms or naturally. In the first case, it is possible to achieve an almost 100% degree of purification: organic substances that pollute wastewater are ideal food for a number of bacteria that process them. This is usually not built with your own hands, but purchased in a store. The wastewater treatment plant is quite expensive, just because of the bacteria involved in the processing of pollution.

In the second case - in septic tanks with a natural method of purification - the water becomes about 60% cleaner. There is no need to regularly pump out contaminated water from this device. But such an installation is easier to build on your own site without spending too much money.

Here, the purification process takes place as follows: a septic tank usually consists of 2-3 chambers, one of which receives drains. Here there is a mechanical separation of the liquid into fractions - the sedimentation of fecal masses to the bottom of the sump. Then the water flows through a special pipe into an adjacent smaller chamber, from where it later enters the environment. But, before the liquid enters the soil, it undergoes additional treatment in specially equipped filtration fields or in a filtering (drainage) well.

Design features

A septic tank without pumping - it does not matter whether it is two- or three-chamber - has sealed walls so that pollution does not penetrate into the environment (this is the main difference from a cesspool, from which all waste products freely penetrate into the soil and groundwater). Also, the first chamber of such a septic tank must have a sealed bottom. And only in the last chamber can there be a bottom capable of letting water through - this is where the drainage well is being built. Or, in the case of the presence of filtration fields, the last tank may also have an airtight bottom, but a drainage will be made, which will allow partially purified water to leave the septic tank for the next purification stage. By the way, the first chamber of the septic tank is always larger than the rest. Typically, in a tank with two chambers, it takes up ¾ of the total volume.

Attention! Septic tanks without pumping ... still require pumping! The sediment that collects at the bottom in the sump should be periodically removed with a pump (the frequency will depend on the size of the structure - on average, it is once every 4-5 years). Fortunately, this procedure is performed very rarely, and you can clean it yourself, without resorting to the help of sewers and using the resulting sludge as fertilizer in the country.

Another difference between a septic tank and a cesspool is the absence of an unpleasant odor both directly next to the structure and throughout the summer cottage. Also, the supervisory authorities will certainly not be able to find fault with a properly equipped septic tank, and you will not have to pay fines for environmental pollution.

However, when planning the arrangement of a septic tank without pumping, it is important to take into account the depth of the groundwater - they should not be closer than 2.5 m to the surface. Otherwise, it will not work to equip a local sewerage system with natural filtration purification - after leaving the installation, water simply will not have time to be additionally purified through natural filters before it enters these very ground waters.

Dimensions and parameters

To make your own septic tank that does not require pumping, you need to correctly calculate its location and volumes. No matter how well it purifies water, it should not be located closer than 5 m to living quarters. And the reason is not only in hygiene - in the event of an emergency, the contents of the septic tank can flood the house. And the constant seepage of moisture through the bottom of a drainage well is not the best conditions for the foundation of any structure. In this case, the septic tank should be located at a distance of about 50 m from the nearest water source.

But it is not worth building a septic tank too far. The fact is that the longer the communications (sewer pipes), the higher the risk of clogging. And this can disable the operation of the entire system and cause certain inconveniences. Also, if it is necessary to maintain a long distance from a residential building, additional control wells will have to be built throughout the system. It is important to move the septic tank away from the neighboring fence by at least 2 m.

Features of the location of the septic tank on the site

It is also important to calculate the required volume of the treatment plant. It depends on the number of people living in the house and using the sewage system. Usually calculations are made based on a certain rate of water consumption - according to averaged data, this is 200 liters per person per day. The formula for the calculation is shown below.

Now you can calculate its dimensions. For example, you need a septic tank with a volume of 18 m 3. Then you can build a tank having a length and depth of 3 m, and a width of 2 m. Multiplying all these numbers, you get the same 18 m 3.

Attention! When creating a drawing of a septic tank, keep in mind that the drain pipe must be at a height of at least 80 cm from the bottom.

Also, during the design of the structure, it is necessary to find out the number of cameras in it. A two-chamber septic tank is enough for a small family, and if a large number of people use the sewage system or there is an active use of water (frequent washing, etc.), then it is better to build a tank with three chambers.

Drainage and filtration fields

A water purification system or a filtration system in septic tanks without pumping can be represented by two designs - a drainage well or a filtration field.

Table. Types of waste water post-treatment systems.

System type	Description
	In fact, this is the third or second chamber in the structure of the septic tank. Roughly speaking, an ordinary well without a concreted bottom, which passes partially purified water through itself. Additional treatment occurs during the percolation of liquid through the soil layers. A drainage well is used only in the case of deep groundwater.
	This is a system of pipes that are located in the upper layers of the soil (the distance to the aquifer should not be less than 1 m). Water undergoes additional treatment, seeping through various layers of soil. The filtering area of ​​such fields is larger than that of a drainage well - sometimes they occupy tens of square meters. The sizes depend on the volumes of the treated water. Filtration fields are equipped if the groundwater at the site is close enough.

The drainage well at the bottom has a special filtering cushion made of coarse river sand and crushed stone. If there is soil under the layer of drainage material that does not absorb water well (for example, clay), several drainage holes will have to be made. It is easier to create such a well than a filtration field.

But you will have to tinker with the filtration field. Here it is also necessary to make a special filtering cushion of sand, gravel and other materials, on top of which pipes supplying water to them are laid.

Attention! Before you start creating the filter box, it is important to calculate its dimensions. They will depend on the volume of wastewater, soil quality, and average annual air temperature.

Building materials

Budget septic tanks without pumping, which can be built in summer cottages, are made of various materials:

• brick;
• concrete;
• reinforced concrete rings;
• plastic eurocubes;
• materials at hand - car tires.

The most popular version of a septic tank is created from reinforced concrete rings stacked on top of each other in a prepared pit and connected by pipes. To build a structure, you will most likely have to use special equipment, since the rings are very heavy and difficult to install on your own. Moreover, they are quite fragile - if you drop such a product, it can crack. It is very important during installation to hermetically seal all joints between the rings and the pipes inserted into them so that dirty water does not seep into the ground. The bottom in the resulting wells (except for filtration wells) is concreted.

You can make a septic tank from clinker bricks. It will take longer to tinker with the device of this design, but it is easier to work with bricks than with rings, due to the low weight. In this case, the wells of the septic tank can be made both round and rectangular. The bottom is usually just concreted, and not laid out with bricks.

A good septic tank can be built using concrete. For this, a formwork is created in the prepared foundation pit, and it takes place using reinforcement to strengthen the walls. Before using the structure, it is important to allow time for the mortar to harden. Immediately during pouring, overflows are formed between the chambers. For this, it is convenient to use special tees.

Another budget option is a homemade septic tank made from plastic Eurocubes. You can use those that were previously used for any other purpose, which will save money. Eurocubes are simply installed in the ground, connected with pipes and sprinkled with earth. Perhaps this is one of the simplest options for creating a budget septic tank.

Important! Each of the structures needs high-quality waterproofing in case of a leak. To do this, the structure can be treated with mastic and sprinkled around the edges with clay.

All of the above designs of septic tanks are relatively budget options - sometimes it is cheaper to build something with your own hands than to buy in a store.

User Choice 4 Best aerator 5

One of the most important issues when buying a land plot, summer cottage or a country house is the availability of communications. And if, as a rule, there are no problems with water or electricity, then the central sewerage system in the private sector, especially at a distance from the city, is a rarity. And the fastest and most practical solution to this problem is to buy a septic tank.

The two most common types of individual treatment facilities are a non-volatile (autonomous) septic tank and a volatile plant. Both types of devices for waste disposal use several stages of treatment: mechanical sedimentation of suspended matter, filtration and biological treatment. In autonomous septic tanks, anaerobic bacteria are used to process waste, which do not need oxygen, but act slowly. In volatile devices, biological filtration occurs with the help of more active aerobic microorganisms that require the use of aerators. But the level of purification in such septic tanks reaches 98%.

The choice of the optimal cleaning device model depends on several factors:

1. Required performance. For one person, the volume of wastewater is usually set equal to 150-200 liters per day.
2. The presence of electricity on the site.
3. Plot size. Autonomous septic tanks require a larger area, as they are equipped with fields for additional soil filtration.
4. Ground water level. A high GWL may require the use of additional engineering solutions.
5. Soil composition. For areas with hard rocks, it is better to use septic tanks of a horizontal layout, since they need a pit of shallower depth.

Our review contains models of septic tanks with the best technical and operational characteristics. When compiling the rating, the following were taken into account:

• recommendations of civil engineers;
• feedback from users who have installed specific models of treatment devices at their site;
• value for money septic tanks.

Useful video - how to choose the right septic tank

The best budget septic tanks for summer cottages

Septic tanks for installation in a summer cottage are small in size and relatively cheap. As a rule, these are simple stand-alone models that perform the function of a sump and are connected to an additional filtration system. They have an extremely simple one-piece design, low level of productivity, and are also unpretentious in maintenance.

4 TANK-1

Excellent price / performance ratio
Country Russia
Average price: 19,500 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Tank-1 is the youngest model in the Triton Plastic line of non-volatile septic tanks. Its design is simplified to the limit: there are only two chambers: coarse primary treatment and secondary biological treatment. But, nevertheless, this small septic tank, capable of purifying up to 600 liters of wastewater per day, has all the advantages inherent in the more expensive models of the company: it has a horizontal layout and a durable one-piece body with special stiffening ribs, which increases the service life and excludes the penetration of soil water into the internal volume of the structure.

This compact model is ideal for installation in the country and is designed for use by two or three people. The level of wastewater treatment at this septic tank is 75 - 80%, therefore, it is recommended to use a special infiltrator complete with it, in which additional treatment takes place. Buyers note the compact dimensions of the septic tank, easy installation and trouble-free operation. However, you still have to clean the chambers from sediment every few years.

3 Termite Profi 1.2

Strongest container
Country Russia
Average price: 23,500 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

This miniature vertical septic tank can serve up to two people. Its effluent purification rate reaches 85%. Due to its low weight - only 80 kg, Termit Profi 1.2 is easy to transport and install. This is a great option for a small country house or a free-standing bath. An additional advantage - the thickness of the walls of the Termit Profi 1.2 tank reaches 20 mm, and the shape of the body is specially designed for optimal operation under load.

According to user reviews, this septic tank is easy to install and maintain. Experienced summer residents recommend that you be sure to sprinkle the container with sand cement to increase the service life of the structure. Among the disadvantages is the impossibility of using this septic tank with a high level of groundwater at the site.

2 MICROBE 450

Best price
Country Russia
Average price: 12 400 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

For a summer cottage, which is visited by 1-2 people, a guest house or a cabins for the period of building a house, the best option would be a budget septic tank Microbe 450. Its capacity is 150 liters per day, and its weight is only 35 kg. Of course, to install it, you will need to make a sand pillow, and apply a layer of insulation on top, since its wall thickness is small. But this septic tank can be installed in areas with any level of groundwater - of course, with the implementation of the constructive recommendations of the manufacturer.

Buyers especially like the device's reasonable price and easy installation. Of course, for a country house you will need a septic tank with a larger capacity, but for periodic trips to the country and with a limited budget, Microbe 450 is ideal.

As mentioned above, septic tanks are divided into autonomous and volatile. What is their feature, what are their strengths and weaknesses - we learn from the detailed comparison table:

Septic tank type	pros	Minuses
Autonomous	Low, in comparison with a volatile septic tank, cost Generally higher reliability Does not depend on power supply Does not create additional energy costs	- The need for ground filtration of wastewater - In some cases, does not isolate the surrounding space from a fetid odor - Gradual sludge build-up requires periodic pumping - The need to equip access roads for a sewer truck
Volatile	No sediment build-up The ability to move the septic tank to a third-party place, there is no need to equip a driveway Complete isolation from unpleasant odors Installation of filtration fields is not required (for soil drainage treatment)	- Higher price than standalone models - Dependence on electricity and, as a result, significant additional spending - The presence of more constituent elements reduces the theoretical reliability

1 Rostok Mini

Stable performance in all conditions
Country Russia
Average price: 24 120 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Inexpensive autonomous septic tank for a small country house. According to user reviews, due to the small volume (1000 liters) and lightness of the design (the total weight is 65 kilograms), the installation does not cause great difficulties. The filtration capacity is 200 liters per day - this is not much, but a septic tank is designed for one or two users. Rostok Mini copes well with the assigned functions, it requires pumping out once or twice a year (provided that all feeds and the system are in good order). A very good option for equipping a summer cottage or a house that will not hit the pockets of potential consumers hard.

Advantages:

• seamless, durable and lightweight (65 kg) plastic body;
• the presence of additional stiffening ribs to impart strength to the structure;
• completely blocks unpleasant odors;
• low, but stable performance;
• does not require frequent maintenance;
• attractive price.

Disadvantages:

• for its price category - does not.

The best volatile septic tanks

Treatment plants, biological filters of which are inhabited by aerobic microorganisms, are the most technically advanced version of septic tanks. They produce 98% purified water at the outlet - it can be used for irrigation, other technical needs, or dumped directly into the ground. Cleaning the tanks from silt is needed every couple of years, and the organic sludge itself is an excellent fertilizer for plants on the site. Since the drains do not need additional soil filtration, the structure takes up a minimum of space.

The main disadvantage of such systems is the need for a power supply. As part of the aerobic system, there is always an aerator-compressor, which saturates the liquid with oxygen necessary for the vital activity of bacteria. It is this fact that explains the higher cost of volatile power plants - both during purchase and installation, and during operation.

5 ERGOBOX 4

Optimal price-quality ratio
Country Russia
Average price: 60,900 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The body of this sewage treatment plant is manufactured using rotational molding technology, which guarantees the absence of seams and uniform thickness of the material. As part of the septic tank, Japanese compressors and German pumps are used in order to ensure the smooth operation of the entire system. In case of loss of power supply, the station can operate normally for two days, after which it switches to the mode of an autonomous septic tank with an anaerobic filter.

Users note, first of all, the excellent value for money of this model. With a capacity of 800 liters, it consumes only 1.5 kW per day and provides a drainage volume sufficient for a permanent residence of 4 people. It is possible to choose both the gravity installation of the installation and the option with forced discharge of wastewater for areas with a high groundwater level.

4 Tver-0.5P

Best aerator
Country Russia
Average price: 75,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The manufacturer's declared service life of this septic tank is 50 years. This becomes possible due to the fact that special structural plastic is used for casting the body, and the compressor equipment is made in Japan. The degree of water purification of this line of treatment facilities reaches 98%, which makes it possible to abandon the use of additional ground filters.

The maximum productivity of the equipment is 500 liters per day, so Tver-0.5P can be recommended for a summer residence or a country house with a permanent residence of 2 - 3 people. Customer reviews are almost the same: the device does an excellent job of its functions, there are no smells and noise, and periodic maintenance is required only once a year. The only drawback is the high price and relatively low performance.

3 Unilos Astra 5

User Choice
Country Russia
Average price: 76,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

One of the most famous septic tank models in the domestic market, which does not have a single visible weak point. If you do not take into account the price level, then the fifth "Astra" fully meets the requirements of a "premium" class product (if it is acceptable in this case). The system is based on a very fine filtering effect on the incoming wastewater - thanks to aerobic and anaerobic filters, it is possible to achieve almost 100% of the purification rate. Thus, up to one cubic meter of wastewater is processed per day, which is a normal average value. The inlet of the drain pipe can be arranged at heights from 0.6 to 1.2 meters above ground level, which greatly simplifies the installation of the tank.

Advantages:

• high degree of aerobic and anaerobic purification (98%);
• reliable container body;
• good throughput (filtration up to one cubic meter of runoff water per day).

2 Eco-Grand 15 (Poplar)

Best processing ability
Country Russia
Average price: 148,230 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Dimensional volatile septic tank, ideal for equipping large country houses. Except that the container weighs 380 kilograms, there are no problems with installation. And in terms of operational performance, everything is very good: the entire volume of the septic tank is divided into four compartments, two of which are equipped with aerators. After the effluent enters the receiving chamber (a salvo discharge can reach 450 liters), thanks to aeration, the solid fractions begin to decompose.

In a separate compartment under the control elements there is a compressor for pumping waste water through the system. By the way, the latter consumes in general up to 2.8 kilowatts of energy per day - not much, but over a long time of operation, a decent amount accumulates.

Advantages:

• active filtration and aeration of incoming wastewater;
• good performance (1.8-2.0 cubic meters of runoff water per day);
• capacity equal to six cubic meters.

Disadvantages:

• high price;
• increased power consumption.

1 TOPAS 8

The most economical model
Country Russia
Average price: 99 875 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

One of the most economical volatile septic tanks available to a wide range of consumers. Putting such a tank in a dacha is not entirely justified - it will be much better suited to a small country house. Convenience of manual installation (as in stand-alone models) is no longer ensured here - the whole structure weighs almost 350 kilograms. Thanks to the installed filters, it does not require cleaning, it limits unpleasant odors well, and also filters up to 1.5 cubic meters of wastewater per day. According to users, the cost of power supply is significant, but much less than that of competitors and older models of this series - a septic tank consumes only 1.5 kilowatts per day.

Advantages:

• popularity with users;
• low power consumption;
• highly efficient filtration;
• reliable case;
• ease of use and low maintenance requirements.

Disadvantages:

• not detected.

The best self-contained septic tanks

Autonomous septic tanks that do not require an electrical connection are the best option for a summer cottage or a country house in a remote area where there are problems with electricity. Their design contains no moving mechanical parts, so they are simple, reliable and will perform in any case.

Of course, there are also disadvantages - lower productivity, worse level of effluent clarification. The best models provide no more than 85% purification, and, therefore, the water needs additional filtration. There are several ways - drainage fields, infiltrators, filtration wells - and they all mean additional cash costs and reduce the usable area of ​​the site. However, for houses with periodic residence, such structures may be more preferable, since they do not consume electricity and can be easily mothballed if necessary.

3 Uponor Sako

Good quality plastic
Country: Sweden / Finland (made in Russia)
Average price: 67 575 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The Scandinavian concern for the production of serious household equipment has quite successfully entered the Russian market. The domestic branch has launched the production of autonomous septic tanks Uponor Sako, suitable for installation both in a private house and in a summer cottage. In general, the system is not bad: it reliably retains unpleasant odors, filters effluents without problems (but not perfect), and also does not impose high requirements on maintenance. The problematic place, judging by the feedback from users, is the extreme intolerance to the diversion of rain and drainage water to the local treatment system. Why this is happening is a matter of acute discussion. But the fact that this is an obvious disadvantage is supported by all and unanimously.

Advantages:

• good standard filtration performance;
• high-quality body materials.

Disadvantages:

• ingress of rain or drainage water into the treatment system leads to a deterioration in the filtering capacity.

2 Termit Profi 3.0

The highest degree of cleaning in the class
Country Russia
Average price: 49 100 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The productivity of this model, which uses the principle of anaerobic effluent clarification, is 1200 liters per day. At the same time, the level of purification reaches 85%, which minimizes the area of ​​the final soil filtration. Such a septic tank with a sufficient supply provides the permanent residence of six people. The tank is flushed only once a year, while the facility is completely autonomous.

According to user reviews, the septic tank fully complies with the characteristics declared by the manufacturers, is reliable and practical. It is especially convenient to use it for seasonal living: preserving it for the winter and then putting it back into operation is not a problem. The disadvantages include a rather complicated installation procedure.

1 Triton-ED-3500 Horizontal

Profitable price
Country Russia
Average price: 43,500 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

This is a relatively inexpensive option for a purification system for a summer residence or a country house, where there are significant problems with the power supply. The productivity of the model is 700 liters per day, which meets the needs of 4-6 people. At the same time, the septic tank does not require an electricity connection, and the sludge can be pumped out once a year. Of course, in order for the water discharged into the ground to be sufficiently purified, it will be necessary to additionally use a drainage field or an infiltrator.

Buyers especially like the horizontal layout of the septic tank, which allows you to limit the depth of the pit, as well as its independence from the mains. Disadvantages of the device - it must be placed away from living quarters, since it is not possible to completely get rid of odors. This treatment plant is especially suitable for a country house where a family of 2-3 people lives, but guests occasionally come.