Where to install a septic tank in a private house. Sewerage outside the city - homemade septic tanks as an alternative to ready-made VOCs

Dachas and country houses have long ceased to be housing with amenities “in the yard.” New technologies and materials make it possible to quickly build a full-fledged sewage system that will ensure the removal of wastewater from the kitchen, toilet, bathroom or bathhouse. Most often, connect the drain line to centralized network there is no possibility, so the problem of removing sewage from the site has to be solved independently, using the services of a sewage truck or discharging wastewater into the ground. Of course, in the latter case, you can build a simple drain hole from scrap materials and thereby avoid financial costs, if not for one nuance: direct discharge of sewage into the ground can lead to contamination of groundwater in your and neighboring areas.

In order for “both the wolves to be fed and the sheep to be safe,” it is worth spending a small amount and building a septic tank that will clean the wastewater and make it safe. And so that the costs of its production and operation do not lead to depletion of the family budget, we recommend that you start building it yourself.

Septic tank - device, how it works

A carefully made septic tank will absolutely not interfere with the site, even if installed in a visible place

The issue of disposal of domestic wastewater suburban areas can be solved in two ways. The first consists of the accumulation and subsequent removal of sewage using sewage disposal machines, and the second covers a whole range of processes for their filtration, absorption and disinfection.

A storage type septic tank requires regular pumping

Using an airtight container for collection Wastewater is good option in the case when in country house or at the dacha appear on weekends and the amount of water used is small. If you plan to regularly use the bathroom, toilet and household appliances, then the volume of water increases so much that the drainage pit will have to be pumped out weekly. To avoid this inconvenience, filtration-type cesspools are constructed in which liquid from the sewer is absorbed into the soil. There, with the help of bacteria, it is processed into water and safe organic substances. In fact, a septic tank is just such a structure, however, its improved design allows wastewater to be disinfected before it is discharged into the ground.

Depending on the design, septic tanks can be divided into several types:

Single-chamber septic tank of small volume. It is a container with an overflow pipe and is used in small households with water consumption of no more than 1 cubic meter. m per day. Despite the simple design, the efficiency of sewage treatment leaves much to be desired.
Small two-chamber septic tank. Consists of two containers connected by an overflow system. Simplicity and efficiency similar design makes it the most popular for making it yourself.
Multi-chamber structures. Thanks to the presence of several chambers, wastewater treatment occurs within long period time. This allows you to obtain output water that can be safely discharged into natural reservoirs or used for household needs. Despite the high degree of purification, multi-chamber systems are rare in private households due to their complexity and high cost.

In order to understand how a septic tank works, let's consider the most popular two-chamber design.

Design and principle of operation of a two-chamber septic tank

After sewage enters the first chamber from the sewer treatment plant, their gravitational separation into liquid and solid occurs. At the same time, processing begins organic waste aerobic and an aerobic bacteria, which develop in the absence or excess of oxygen. At the same time, not only liquid waste, but also fecal matter is processed into water and harmless organic matter. By the way, the work of microorganisms makes it possible to significantly reduce the volume of the solid fraction, leaving only a small sediment in the form of sludge.

At the top of the first chamber there is an overflow channel, through which the purified liquid enters the second chamber, where it is further purified. Below the level of the inlet channel in the second tank there is an outlet pipe, from which purified liquid is taken for watering the garden or discharged into the ground. In the latter case, filtration fields or wells are installed to increase the area of contact of purified water with the ground.

Advantages and disadvantages of septic tanks

The question of which is better, a cesspool or a septic tank, is best considered from the point of view of efficiency, as well as the cost of manufacture and maintenance. It is important to remember the safety of the structure.

Note that in most respects it is the septic tank that wins, which stands out for the following advantages:

high degree of purification of domestic wastewater - the water leaving the device can be used for household purposes;
absence of unpleasant odor in the area;
hermetic design reduces the risk of sewage entering groundwater and makes the structure safe for the environment;
there is no need for regular pumping - removal of sludge residue can be carried out once every few years.

The disadvantages of septic tanks include:

more complex design;
increase in construction costs;
strict requirements for the use of household detergents. Conventional chemistry is destructive to microorganisms, so you will have to use special compounds;
decrease in bacterial activity when the temperature decreases - at 4°C and below, the waste processing process stops.

Despite some nuances, the use of a septic tank allows you to preserve nature and the health of others, and this is a plus that cannot be erased by any difficulties or financial expenses.

Design and preparatory activities

The apparent simplicity of the septic tank design is very deceptive - in order for the constructed structure to be safe and productive, it is necessary to make small calculations and carefully select a location.

Choosing a location on the site. Sanitary standards

Diagram indicating the requirements for the location of the septic tank on the site

When choosing a place to install a septic tank, they are guided by the norms of sanitary and epidemiological legislation and SNiP acts:

local sewerage structures are allowed to be installed at a distance of at least 5 m from the foundation of a residential building and 1 m from utility and domestic buildings located on the site;
distance from wells and boreholes is determined depending on the composition of the soil and can range from 20 m for clay soils to 50 m for sandy soil;
Installing a septic tank directly near roads and site boundaries is prohibited. It is required to maintain a distance of at least 1 m from the fence and 5 m from the road;

In addition, we must not forget that from time to time you will still have to use a suction pump, so it is necessary to think about how the sewage disposal truck will approach the sewage facilities.

A household fecal pump with a grinder will allow you to do without the services of a vacuum cleaner

You can do without the services of a sewer truck if you pump out the sludge using a fecal pump purchased for this purpose, and use the sludge from the septic tank as fertilizer for the garden.

Selection and calculation of material. Required volume

To install septic tank chambers, you can use both ready-made tanks and containers built by yourself:

Quantity calculation required material depends on the volume of the septic tank, so the main calculated value is the daily amount of wastewater discharged. There is no need to accurately determine this parameter; it is enough to assume water consumption of 150–200 liters for each family member permanently residing in the house. This will be enough to use the bathroom, toilet, washing machine and dishwasher. To determine the volume of the septic tank's receiving chamber, the resulting value is multiplied by three. For example, if five people permanently live in a house equipped with all amenities, then you will need a tank designed for 3 cubic meters. m of liquid waste (5 people × 200 liters × 3 = 3000 liters).

The second chamber is calculated based on the size of the receiving tank. If its volume is taken to be equal to 2/3 of the total size of the septic tank, then the dimensions of the post-treatment chamber provide the remaining third of the structure’s volume. If we take the example discussed above, the working volume of the structure will be 4.5 cubic meters. m, of which 1.5 cubic meters. m are allocated for the second tank.

Photo gallery: drawings of future structures

When designing a septic tank, you can use drawings and diagrams of working structures.

Scheme of a two-chamber septic tank Drawing of a two-chamber septic tank Drawing of a two-chamber septic tank

Calculations of external dimensions are carried out using well-known geometric formulas to determine the volume of a cylindrical structure and a rectangular container.

It should be understood that in most regions the septic tank will not freeze in winter due to warm wastewater coming from the house, soil temperature and the work of microorganisms. However, the structure will still have to be deepened. The gap between the cover and top level wastewater is taken to be equal to the amount of soil freezing in winter. It is at this depth a drain pipe enters the septic tank. Therefore, we must rely on the fact that the calculated working volume will be below this point. In addition, with more high temperature bacteria will more actively process sewage, helping to increase the productivity of the septic tank.

Diagram explaining the need to deepen the septic tank chambers

Which form is better

The question of which septic tank is better - round or rectangular - can be considered incorrect, since the shape does not at all affect the performance and degree of purification. However, the configuration of the structure has great value when choosing materials. Everyone knows that round buildings are the most optimal in terms of consumption necessary funds. The septic tank was no exception. If it is made of brick, then choosing a cylindrical shape will reduce consumption by 10 - 15%. In addition, round walls perfectly resist mechanical loads from the ground. If you choose a monolithic two-chamber structure, then it is better to make it square or rectangular. Firstly, reinforced walls will resist bending forces, and secondly, this is necessary for purely practical reasons related to the manufacture of formwork for pouring concrete.

The cost of septic tanks from various materials. To eliminate the impact of devaluation, prices are given in yuan. e

By the way, we recommend making the concrete structure yourself. If we consider the cost of a septic tank, it will not be much higher than its inexpensive brick counterparts (see table). As for the durability and strength of the structure, there can be no question of any comparison, therefore even a more labor-intensive technology will justify itself many times over. How to build a rectangular two-chamber septic tank from reinforced concrete, we'll tell you in detail.

Required tools and materials

To build a concrete treatment plant you will need:

crushed stone, sand and cement for making concrete;
steel rods or fittings with a diameter of at least 10 mm;
metal corners, pipes or channels for the construction of floors;
boards, timber and slats for formwork;
film for waterproofing;
concrete mixer;
containers for bulk materials and concrete;
Bulgarian;
manual rammer;
wood saw;
welding machine or wire for making an armored belt;
hammer;
building level;
roulette.

If it is necessary to insulate the septic tank, this list should be supplemented with the heat insulator used, for example, expanded clay chips.

Construction and installation of a country septic tank from monolithic concrete with your own hands

It is better to dig a pit for a septic tank by asking for help from relatives and friends

After determining the size of the structure and choosing a location, they begin to dig a pit. The size of the pit is chosen depending on what formwork will be used. If board panels are planned to be installed on both sides, then the pit is made 40–50 cm wider than the size of the tank, taking into account the thickness of its walls. In the case when concrete will be poured between the formwork and the ground, the pit is dug along external dimensions septic tank If hired people will be used for this, calculate the cost of their work. Be sure to take into account that the soil will have to be removed from the site, and this will entail additional costs for its loading. Perhaps the total cost of all earthworks will approach the cost of operating an excavator. At the same time, he will cope with the work tens of times faster.
You should not remove all the soil from the site. Be sure to leave some of it for backfilling the septic tank.
Compact the bottom of the hole and fill it with a layer of sand 10–15 cm thick. After this, the sand is spilled with water to compact it.
Install formwork around the perimeter of the structure. If a one-sided board fencing is used, then the walls of the pit are covered plastic film. This will prevent them from falling off while pouring the walls and base of the septic tank.
Waterproofing pit walls
Place the pieces on the bottom wooden slats at least 5 cm thick. They will be needed as spacers for the reinforcement belt, which will be located inside the concrete base.
Build an armored belt from a metal rod or reinforcement. To do this, longitudinal elements are laid on the slats, and transverse elements are attached to them by welding or tying with wire. The size of the cells of the resulting lattice should be no more than 20–25 cm.
A volumetric reinforcing frame is not required in the manufacture of a septic tank: simple planar reinforcement is sufficient.
Fill the base of the septic tank with concrete and compact it with a bayonet or tamper. The thickness of the bottom must be at least 15 cm. To prepare a mortar from grade 400 cement, you can use the following proportion: 1 part cement is mixed with 2 parts sand and 3 parts crushed stone. When using M-500 cement, the amount of bulk materials is increased by 15 - 20%.
Pouring the base of a septic tank with concrete
After the concrete base has finally set, they begin to construct the formwork for the walls and partitions of the septic tank. Reinforcement is also installed inside the formwork to strengthen the structure of the structure.
If there are not enough boards to construct the formwork for the entire height, then you can use a low sliding structure, which is poured with concrete, and after it sets, it is moved upward.
At the level of overflow channels and places of entry and exit of sewer pipes, windows are made by installing pipe sections in the formwork large diameter or constructing plank frames.
Construction of formwork for walls and internal partitions
After the septic tank chambers have been reached required height, begin the construction of the ceiling. To do this, support elements made of steel angles or profile pipes are laid on top of the walls. It is important to ensure sufficient strength, since concrete has significant weight.
When installing formwork and reinforcement, take care of the openings for hatches.
Before pouring the ceiling, be sure to install a ventilation pipe
After the ceiling has dried, a sewer line is inserted into the receiving window of the first chamber, and the exit of the structure is connected to drainage structures.
The septic tank is filled with soil, constantly compacting and leveling it. It is important that the soil level above the septic tank is slightly higher than the level of the entire site. This will prevent flooding of the treatment plant during heavy rains or flood.

Arrangement of filtration structures

In order to drain purified water into the ground, various types of drainage systems are used. The most common structures are filtration fields and drainage wells.

Filtration field design

The first are a system of pipelines placed in the ground and connected to the outlet pipe of the septic tank. Thanks to the installation at an angle, the movement of purified waste through the pipes is ensured, and their absorption is made possible thanks to a system of holes and a drainage layer in which the entire structure is placed.

The latter are a special case of a cesspool without a bottom and can be constructed from perforated concrete rings, bricks laid out in a checkerboard pattern, or old car tires. To ensure absorption capacity, the bottom of the filtration well is covered with a thick layer of crushed stone. It must be said that, unlike a cesspool, the performance of a structure connected to a septic tank practically does not decrease over time. This is due to the absence of solid particles and suspensions that can clog drainage holes and pores.

When using a septic tank, it is necessary to radically reconsider the approach to the use of sewerage. From the day the system is put into operation, it is prohibited to use chemical detergents and pour any aggressive substances into the toilet or sink. It must be remembered that wastewater treatment is now carried out by living beings - bacteria and other microorganisms. Of course, this does not mean that for washing and cleaning you will now have to use ash and simple laundry soap, like our ancestors. When using household detergents marked “Bio” or “Eco”, nothing will threaten the fragile ecosystem of the septic tank, and you will get good results when cleaning and washing.

Using detergents free from aggressive chemicals will allow the septic tank to work at full capacity

Inorganic waste and garbage should not be poured into the sewer - there is a trash can. Once in the wastewater storage facility, they will collect at the bottom and interfere with its normal operation, and when pumping out sludge, they can clog the hoses of the fecal pump.

To improve the performance of the septic tank, special bioactivators are periodically added to the receiving chamber, which include several varieties of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. When choosing biological products, you must pay attention to their purpose, since such compositions are produced both for normal operating conditions and for cleaning heavily contaminated walls of septic tanks, wastewater with an increased fat content, etc. By the way, the compositions must be used exactly as indicated manufacturer on the packaging, otherwise the bacteria may die.

The use of bioactivators improves the performance of the septic tank

From time to time you will have to check the level of sediment. The fact is that their accumulation leads to a decrease in the useful volume and a decrease in the productivity of the septic tank, so periodically the sludge will need to be pumped out or removed using a sludge pump, fecal pump or a long pole with a scoop device. Certainly, mechanized methods pumping would be preferable.

Video: homemade concrete structure for a private house

Despite the fact that the process of manufacturing a septic tank is associated with certain time and material costs, in the future, a sewage treatment plant built with your own hands will pay for itself more than once. You don’t have to constantly think about the fact that the sewage system may “stand up” at the most inopportune moment or worry about regularly pumping out the container. The septic tank will be able to function long years without polluting environment and without causing any problems.

The dream of any summer resident is a smoothly functioning sewer system. To save money, many try to equip the sewer system with their own hands, building a storage well from improvised materials. In this case, the choice is small - a simpler one, or a multi-chamber septic tank with the ability to filter liquid into the ground.

Morally obsolete cesspools require increased attention during maintenance - the storage tank is often overfilled. In such cases, you need to call a vacuum cleaner or clean the pit yourself. It’s difficult to call this work pleasant.

A characteristic smell curling around sewer drain and the need for regular cleaning make traditional sewers obsolete structures requiring urgent modernization.

Purpose of septic tanks

Transitional option between cesspool and the modern biological treatment station is the already mentioned one, built taking into account all technical and sanitary standards.

Its direct purpose is to settle the liquid with its subsequent filtration into the soil. A septic tank protects the environment from substances hazardous to human health. Having gone through the process of settling, followed by rotting, clarification of wastewater and filtration of liquid into the ground, sewage waste becomes safe.

Of course, such processing cannot be called 100% effective. If they drain into the sewer aggressive chemical substances – , medications, alcohol, alkalis, it is almost impossible to get rid of them. In such cases, experts recommend installing a volumetric sealed septic tank and regularly pumping out its contents, preventing soil contamination. In other cases, it is possible to install a structure with a filter chamber that does not require regular pumping.

Device and materials

A homemade septic tank should consist of two, and better than three tanks connected to each other by pipes into a single structure based on the principle of communicating vessels.

The first tank is intended for receiving waste water and preliminary settling. The volume of this compartment is half of the total capacity of the entire structure. After filling the reservoir, the liquid flows freely into the second chamber, in which sedimentation also occurs - heavy organic fractions settle to the bottom and undergo rotting without oxygen, and the liquid gradually becomes clearer.

The third tank is for filtration. Its bottom is perforated. Approximately a third or more of the compartment is filled with any filter material. For example, broken red brick or crushed stone. An additional sand cushion up to 0.5 meters thick is placed under the reservoir, ensuring reliable purification of water before it seeps into the ground. Also, water from the third tank can be diverted to additional filtration fields or drained into.

Sludge settled at the bottom of settling tanks must be pumped out once or twice a year to ensure proper operation sewerage.

To build such a treatment plant craftsmen They use a variety of building materials and containers:

Bricks. The clinker type of this building material is used. Construction requires certain skills in working with masonry. The outside is additionally waterproofed with special mastic and backfilled with clay. The inside of the well must be covered with cement mortar.
Concrete. The bottom is poured, followed by the construction of formwork and the construction of concrete walls. The structure is strengthened at the pouring stage using iron reinforcement. The finished structure is treated with sealant.
Concrete rings - a lightweight option concrete structure. Typically, no more than four rings are used so that the septic tank does not sag under its own weight during operation. For work it is necessary to involve special equipment or use a winch. The seams between the rings are carefully concreted and processed bitumen mastic to ensure waterproofing.
Plastic or metal containers are sufficient budget material. Especially if used barrels are used. The disadvantages of metal include its susceptibility to corrosion processes, which cannot be said about plastic. Plastic barrels or Eurocubes are resistant to humidity and any aggressive environment, and tolerate low temperatures and soil pressure.

When choosing a building material, you must consider:

features of sewerage use (quality of incoming water);
depth of groundwater - if it is located high, it is prohibited to use filter wells;
quality of building material;
your construction skills and financial capabilities (for example, not everyone knows how to do masonry on their own, and working with concrete rings will require the presence of special equipment).

Device diagram

When placing a sewer drain on a site, first of all, its distance from residential buildings, roads, public reservoirs, and personal sources of drinking water is taken into account. Basic sanitary and technical standards are prescribed in a special document - SNIP.

According to these requirements, septic tanks must be placed:

no closer than 50 meters from a well or borehole;
10 meters from rivers and 30 meters from reservoirs;
5 meters from houses and roads;
a meter from the boundaries of the site and 3 meters from fruit trees.

The depth of groundwater must be taken into account! Filtration cannot be carried out when it lies high to the soil surface.

The bottom of the prepared pit is lined with a sand cushion (20-30 cm). At the location of the filter well, sand is poured up to 50 cm. Gravel or crushed stone is laid on the sand, and then concrete pouring floor. The septic tank structure is installed on this reliable foundation. It is recommended to additionally secure plastic containers to prevent them from floating and being squeezed out of the ground.

Wells or containers are connected in series with each other using plastic pipes. Their installation is carried out using tees and sealant. The septic tank hatches are insulated, and the settling tanks are equipped with ventilation risers. Ventilation is especially important if special sewerage systems that are sensitive to oxygen supply will be used.

How to make a septic tank with your own hands

As a DIY design, you can consider concrete septic tank.

Materials

To carry out the work you will need the following tools and building materials:

sand and cement;
boards for formwork;
reinforcement to strengthen the structure;
concrete mixer or container for mixing the solution;
shovels and buckets for earthworks;
drill.

The working process

Work order:

The pit is dug taking into account all sanitary standards - at the required distance from residential buildings and other objects located on the territory. It is believed that it needs to be deepened to a sand layer or crushed stone. These soil layers will ensure proper filtration of the liquid.
Formwork is installed from boards around the perimeter of the pit. Using a drill, holes are made in it, which will later be used for drainage (installation of scraps of plastic pipes).
Then jumpers are installed (there is no need to make drainage holes in them!) with blanks in the form of holes for overflow pipes.
IN finished design Sewage and overflow pipes are installed from wood.
On next stage pouring is carried out (two parts of crushed stone and sand are taken for one part of cement). Used for reinforcement metal corner, fittings, rods.
The formwork is dismantled after the concrete has completely dried. Partitions inside the septic tank (between compartments) can be made of old brick.
The entire structure is treated from the inside with sealant for additional waterproofing.
The top floor is made of concrete. Reinforcement is used for reinforcement. Holes are left in the ceiling for ventilation risers made of asbestos cement or polyvinyl chloride. A technical hatch is also installed to remove sludge.

Important points

During construction work, it should be taken into account that technical errors can lead to incorrect operation of the entire sewer system.

To avoid trouble, you must:

ensure a sufficient slope of the sewer drain towards the septic tank;
avoid sharp turns of pipes to protect the system from clogging;
arrange the slope of the overflow pipes between the compartments of the septic tank (the inlet pipe should be located higher than the outlet!);
Do not build filter wells when the groundwater level is high - this is unsafe for the environment, dacha residents and neighbors.

Selection of bacteria

To make the septic tank more efficient, it is recommended to use bacteria. Two types of bacteria are suitable for processing sewage: aerobic (oxygen-dependent) and anaerobic (putrefactive). Anaerobic bacteria live in any conditions, but aerobic bacteria are extremely sensitive to oxygen. To ensure their vital functions, a septic tank must be equipped, or at least ventilation pipes.

When choosing bacteria, it is necessary to take into account that they come in several types:

universal, suitable for any conditions and purposes;
living in drains with high fat content and household chemicals;
used to preserve sewage systems for the winter;
used to start a septic tank in the spring.

You also need to read customer reviews, instructions and product range, and make a choice in favor of a reliable brand.

Such equipment plays very important role in a waste processing complex.

Do you want to qualitatively modernize your pumping station? Then make an ejector with your own hands! How - read in.

Are you planning to move to Penza? Find out how things are with the environmental situation there by reading the material at the link.

How much does a septic tank cost?

It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally. Everything will depend on what materials were used during the construction process.

For example, a concrete ring can be purchased at a price of 1,200 rubles. A Eurocube will cost 2,500-3,000 rubles per cubic meter of volume. Calling in special equipment also significantly increases the cost of a homemade septic tank. One hour of operation of a truck crane in the Moscow region costs from 900 rubles. And the recess of one cubic meter soil with an excavator from 10,000 rubles.

A rare country village or partnership, even near Moscow, can boast of having main water supply and sewerage systems, but mostly owners of suburban real estate have to acquire their own amenities. And in order not to pollute the environment, including the aquifer, with waste from their own vital activity, wastewater treatment systems have long outgrown the simplest cesspools, turning into more advanced structures.

There are a lot of different treatment plants and stations on sale for treating wastewater from mechanical impurities, but despite all their effectiveness, their significant drawback is their considerable cost. Therefore, for many private owners the best option become homemade devices, enjoying deserved popularity among FORUMHOUSE craftsmen. Let's consider what a septic tank is, existing sanitary standards, parameters for choosing systems and the most popular varieties.

Septic tank operation diagram
How to choose a septic tank
Construction of a septic tank made of concrete rings
Features of monolithic reinforced concrete septic tanks
Plastic septic tanks from Eurocubes

Septic tank operation diagram

A septic tank is one of the elements of a complex autonomous (individual) domestic wastewater treatment system designed for collecting, settling and purifying wastewater. Accumulation and sedimentation occurs in a sealed container (when there are several chambers) or containers; from the settling tanks, the wastewater flows into a filtration well or onto soil filtration fields (underground, aboveground). The legislation prohibits the discharge of even settled and treated wastewater from a septic tank into open areas land. The system necessarily includes inspection/cleaning wells and ventilation risers; the vent riser is brought to the roof level to prevent the possibility of characteristic odors. Septic tanks are periodically cleared of sediment by a sewage disposal machine; if the volume of the septic tank is correctly selected, this procedure, even if you live permanently in the house, is required no more than once a year, or even several years.

Sanitary and building codes and standards governing the location, design and construction of septic tanks

Until recently, the main regulatory documents regarding septic tanks and stations biological protection, there were SNiPs and SanPiNs developed at the end of the last century and the beginning of this one:

SNiP No. 2.04.03-85 ( advisory nature), SP 32.13330.2012 (current standard) – parameters for the organization of external sewer networks and structures.
SNiP 2.04.04-84 and SNiP 2.04.01-85 - parameters for organizing internal and external water supply (outside the city, water supply is most often from a well and a well, and some provisions intersect with the rules for organizing septic tanks).
SanPiN 2.1.5.980-00 – protection of surface waters.
SanPiN 2.2.1/2.1.1.1200-03 – septic tanks are classified as environmentally hazardous objects; this set of rules regulates the creation of protective zones around them.

Last year, a new standard for organizing autonomous sewage systems with septic tanks and soil (underground) filtration of wastewater was adopted - STO NOSTROY 2.17.176-2015. Now this is the main document that contains the design and installation rules, as well as the requirements for the results of the work.

The following rules apply for the location of treatment facilities relative to other objects on the site:

There is 5 meters between the septic tank and the house.
Between the septic tank and the water intake (well, borehole) - at least 20 meters, if there is no connection between the aquifer layer and the filter field through soil with high filtering capacity, from 50 to 80 meters if the segment has loamy, sandy or sandy loam soils.
Between the septic tank and the side of the road - 5 meters.
Between the septic tank and the border of the site - 4 meters.
Between the septic tank and trees - 3 meters (1 meter to bushes).
Between the septic tank and a reservoir with running water (stream, river) - 10 meters.
Between the septic tank and a body of standing water (lake, pond) - 30 meters.
There is 5 meters between the septic tank and the underground gas main.

Basic performance characteristic The septic tank, on which its performance, the efficiency of wastewater treatment and the frequency of pumping will depend, is the volume. It is calculated based on the number of household members, daily consumption rates and the capacity of the structure. By sanitary standards one person consumes 200 liters (0.2 mᶟ) per day. Throughput is the capacity of sedimentation tanks with a three-day reserve, plus a small increase for bottom sediments. To operate normally, a septic tank for a family of four requires a volume of 2.7 mᶟ (0.2x4x3+0.3=2.7). The volume of all chambers is calculated, but from the bottom to the level of the overflow pipes. To be on the safe side, you should add on the salvo drop or the arrival of relatives and make the volume a little more than the calculated one, as the super-moderator of our portal’s forum advises.

Vadim (spb) Super moderator FORUMHOUSE

Three cubes are enough for four people.

Options for choosing a septic tank

If the location of individual treatment facilities is regulated by standards, and the volume is selected depending on the amount of wastewater, then what type of septic tank will be, the design of the system and the method of organizing soil filtration depends, first of all, on the groundwater level (GWL) and the throughput (filtering) capacity of the soil. At low groundwater levels, almost any composite or monolithic structure is allowed. But if the soil has weak throughput ( clay soils), then it is necessary to increase the area of the filtration field, the length of the filtration tunnel or the layer of drainage cushion under the filtration well.

If the groundwater level is high, then it is permissible to use only monolithic septic tanks (reinforced concrete, plastic containers) with several chambers and an additional sealed storage. From the storage tank, through a float drainage pump, the settled wastewater will flow to embankment field filtration (cassette and tunnel infiltrators are used). Underground filtration directly from the septic tank in a situation with close occurrence of perched water is unacceptable.

Ladomir Moderator FORUMHOUSE

It is necessary that the distance from the bottom of the filter structure to groundwater is at least a meter.

Popular types of homemade septic tanks

Among the participants of our portal, three types of homemade products are most in demand:

From concrete rings;
Monolithic reinforced concrete;
Plastic (from Eurocubes).

Construction of a septic tank made of concrete rings

When the State Water Inspectorate allows, the majority of forum members prefer concrete rings, from which two sealed chambers and a filtration well are usually assembled, connected to each other by overflow pipes. To get the most impermeable structure possible, choose rings with a groove connection; they are not only more resistant to possible ground movements, but it is also easier to achieve the tightness of such a seam. Use external and internal waterproofing bitumen primers or solutions based on CPS with the addition liquid glass. There are two options for the arrangement of cameras - sequential and combined.

In the first, settling tanks are placed one after another, and the FCs are placed at a short distance, each with its own neck and inspection cap. Optimal scheme a septic tank device of this type was developed by one of the participants with the nickname MatrasMSA with the help of a moderator Ladomira.

MatrasMSA User FORUMHOUSE

The plot is 40x60 meters with a slope, a bathhouse/guest house is currently being built, three people live on weekend visits and sometimes guests, in the future there will be a house for permanent residence. The groundwater level is low, it is problematic to get to the water, the well is 88 meters deep, according to neighbors, the soil is loam. I am planning a septic tank like this: the first and second wells each have three rings (1.5 m diameter) with concrete bottom, the third well is the same, but the bottom is on the ground.

During the discussion, the following typical recommendations for the device were given.

Ladomir

A straight tee is placed on the pipe entering the septic tank, the lower part is buried 15-30 cm into the drains, similarly on the outlet pipe.
The outlet from the septic tank is 5-10 cm lower than the entrance to it, measured along the lower pipe tray.
The overflow between the chambers is done at a depth of 0.4 m from the height of the drain column in the septic tank.
The height of the drains into the septic tank is the distance from the bottom to the bottom tray of the pipe coming out of the septic tank.
The branch pipe entering the filter well does not need to be equipped with a tee; it is routed in such a way that the wastewater flows into the center of the FC.
Under the filter well, gravel/crushed stone is added, 0.3-0.5 m thick, and sprinkled on the sides, in a layer of up to 0.2 m.

The combined septic tank (designed by A. Egoryshev) is compact due to the arrangement of sedimentation tanks and FC in a triangle and is suitable for small areas. All wells are closed with blind covers, in which inspection holes are cut out, a common neck (service well) is installed on top, and the fan riser is discharged through the cover of the service well. To prevent differences between settling tanks, the bottom of the pit is filled with concrete slab with a hole for the FC, a drainage pad (filter cassette) made of ASG, 10 cm thick, is poured under the slab onto a double layer of geotextile.

On our portal this scheme was proposed by a craftsman with the nickname s_e_s_h, having laid out the design and a similar construction process back in 2009, it is “alive” to this day, which proves the relevance of systems of a similar operating principle.

s_e_s_h User FORUMHOUSE

The requirements for the septic tank, taking into account the standards and needs of the family, were as follows:

Good treatment of domestic wastewater at the outlet of the septic tank.
A volume sufficient for permanent residence in a house of 3-4 people (bath, shower, 3 sinks, washing machine and dishwasher, 2 toilets).
Winter operation.
Robust design with the possibility of easy maintenance of the septic tank itself and underwater communications.
Neat and discreet final appearance.
Minimum possible cash costs.

The result was an economical design without sacrificing functionality.

However, both options are only suitable for areas with low level groundwater, with a high groundwater level, no matter how well you isolate the wells, there is a danger of them being flooded with perched water and polluting the area with wastewater.

Work of a reinforced concrete septic tank

Monolithic reinforced concrete septic tanks can be used at any level, only the location of the filtration structures will differ. It is difficult to resolve difficulties when digging a pit, but it is possible.

researcher User FORUMHOUSE

To make the pit faster, it is dug with a tractor, on one side it is dug with a bucket that is wider and half a meter deeper than the bottom of the main pit for the septic tank (it seems like a pit), a regular one is installed there drainage pump. All the water from the main pit quietly migrates into the pit and is pumped out from there by a pump and poured out 25-30 meters away. For the duration of work in the pit, pouring and treating hardened concrete with water repellents, this solution is just enough.

Otherwise, the process is standard - formwork, reinforcement cage, pouring with the addition of modifiers to the solution, waterproofing (internal and external). Monolithic structure at low GWL selected by a portal participant Rybnik.

Rybnik User FORUMHOUSE

From the foundation to the rotary well (PW) - 1.4 m, the PW itself has dimensions of 1x1 m, from the PW to the septic tank there is a trench, 7.5 m long, 40 cm wide and 1 m deep. The pipe will enter the septic tank at a depth of 85 cm from surface (taking into account a slope of 2 cm per 1 meter). A second pipe (from the house) will also enter the septic tank. Next, a pipe of clarified water comes out of the septic tank, which will run 23 m along the fence and enter a filter well measuring 1.5x1.5x4 m.

For reinforcement cage rods with a diameter of 8 mm were used, from which limiters (frogs) were bent, for pouring cement M500 (intended, among other things, for concreting underwater structures in a fresh environment), a special additive that reduces the permeability of concrete. Flat slate sheets are used as formwork. Details of the process and a step-by-step photo report are in the topic

Making a septic tank with your own hands for a private home is often chosen as a more economical alternative to purchasing a factory-made treatment system. Self-construction requires time and effort, but it can really save you a lot of money.

If not so long ago the topic of discussion was the advantages of septic tanks over a cesspool, now this aspect is beyond doubt. Much more often you can find materials about how a do-it-yourself septic tank for a private home differs from a ready-made one, or one of the models from another.

Indeed, having a septic tank on the site provides a number of advantages:

Economical– the frequency with which you have to pay for the services of a sewage disposal machine is significantly reduced, in the case of using the most effective multi-stage models, to once every 10-15 years.
Compliance with sanitary standards and environmental friendliness– the correctly selected model and installation location, as well as proper installation, virtually eliminate the ingress of harmful substances into drinking water, into plants through the soil, into irrigation water, etc.
Comfort– if the septic tank works correctly, there is no unpleasant odor even next to the treatment plant.

Types of structures and their features

When choosing a septic tank design, they usually try to find an option that would give top scores, but would require less construction and operation costs. Other things being equal ( right choice volume, absence of leaks, compliance with other installation requirements, etc.) A septic tank with a large number of chambers is considered more effective. However, the choice must be made taking into account expediency. In addition, there are ways to improve the efficiency of the treatment plant.

Single chamber models

Do-it-yourself single-chamber septic tank for a private house with permanent residence It's better not to do it. Such models are more suitable for a dacha where the family comes from time to time. In fact, the most simple models of this type are an improved version of a conventional cesspool except that the pit does not have waterproof walls and bottom, and therefore cannot protect against harmful substances entering the soil. In most cases similar products are cumulative and require periodic, fairly frequent removal of the contents using a sewer machine.

A single-chamber septic tank without pumping is a bit of an exaggeration. Adding a special preparation to the container can significantly improve the quality of water purification and reduce the frequency of cleaning. Certain species During their life processes, bacteria decompose contaminated wastewater into clean water and neutral sludge that does not contain toxic substances. But even the most perfect ones need cleaning, but the need arises very rarely.

Double chamber products

From a design point of view, two-chamber septic tanks can be of two types. The difference lies, first of all, in the design of the bottom of the second tank. The water settled at the first and second stages is quite clean, so in most cases it can be drained into the soil.

Water drainage can be done in different ways:

through the bottom of the second tank(for better sedimentation of the remaining insoluble suspension, it is covered with filter material - gravel, expanded clay, etc.),
through, which increase the drainage area and provide sufficient quick removal water even in dense soils with low permeability,
using a pump into a watering container or drainage hole.

In the second and third cases, the bottom of the second tank, as a rule, is made waterproof (concrete base with waterproofing).

Three-chamber modifications

Installing a septic tank in a private home with your own hands using a three-stage cleaning system will allow you to process wastewater that includes both chemical impurities from detergents and organic matter. Step-by-step sedimentation in chambers allows you to get rid of not only large insoluble particles, but also suspension, and passing through a layer of filter material is the final stage, removing the smallest inclusions. After conducting a quality-confirming analysis, such water can not only be drained into the ground, but also used for irrigation.

Deep cleaning stations

The decomposition of impurities in such installations is also carried out with the help of bacteria. If energy-independent septic tanks use crops that do not require air (anaerobic), then the aerobic microflora of the stations deep cleaning needs it. For constant supply air are used, which is why the models are called volatile.

The decomposition of air by aerobic bacteria is accompanied by a more active (than in the case of anaerobic microflora) release of biogases, therefore, septic tanks of this type require effective ventilation. It is possible by analogy with more simple designs use a pipe rising from the tank to a certain height, however, the best option would be to supply the pipeline into a common ventilation system. In this case, it is necessary to compare the pressure in the communications so that the exhaust gases do not enter the room.

The advantages of deep cleaning stations are:

the most effective removal of impurities,
shorter cycle time.

There is additional information about this in our other article.

What is it and why is it needed, read in separate material site. In some cases this element is extremely important.

Materials for production

Treatment plants various types can be found on sale, but zealous owners are often interested in how to make a septic tank in a private house themselves. The simplicity of the design allows you to cope with such work without problems, it is only important to pay due attention to the following aspects:

choice of design and volume,
determining the location for installation,
choice of material.

The last point is worth dwelling on in more detail. One of the main requirements for materials for building a septic tank for a home with your own hands is accessibility. Otherwise, the meaning of self-production is lost.

Let's list the most common options.

Car tires They have a high degree of waterproofing; it is only important to carefully seal the joints. The required tank volume is achieved by installing tires on top of each other. Compliance and plasticity of the material in in this case may become a disadvantage when the soil freezes. Tire containers are more suitable for houses and summer cottages with seasonal residence and a small number of residents.
Remaining after the construction of the house bricks – good material for the construction of reservoirs. If desired, the masonry can be done in a circle, creating a structure of the usual shape, but for convenience and greater tightness it is better to prefer rectangular shape. Lined up on concrete base a brick septic tank must be covered inside and outside with waterproofing material before backfilling.
Concrete rings- another common material. Reservoirs made from rings have a convenient cylindrical shape. Blocks with different diameters are available for sale, making it easy to create the required volume. When installed, they are installed on top of each other, the lowest ring rests on concrete foundation. Blocks are held together cement mortar. Upon completion of installation, the inside and outside of the tanks are covered with a layer waterproofing material. Construction of a wastewater treatment plant from concrete blocks requires less time than brickwork, but it requires the use of lifting equipment.

Capital structures made of concrete rings, bricks and monolithic models are better suited for a country house with permanent residence.

Before starting construction of a septic tank, it is necessary to make some calculations.

The total volume of the septic tank, regardless of the chosen design and material, must be no less than the three-day water consumption rate for residents (at the rate of 0.2 cubic meters per day for each).
The installation location of the treatment plant must comply with sanitary standards, in particular, be more than 30 meters from the source of drinking water and no closer than 5 meters from the house. And the distance between the septic tank and the nearest fence is 2 meters or more.

They will help make the construction more economical and durable following tips how to properly make a septic tank in a private house:

In most cases, it is advisable to reserve the volume of tanks by approximately 20%. In this case, an increase in the amount of waste water will not become a difficult problem to solve after some time.
Removing sediment from the chambers promotes cleaning efficiency. Contaminated tanks are unable to provide high quality.
Construction of a sewer system during the construction of a country house will allow you to save on the rental of special equipment. In any case, excavators and lifts are rented for large construction projects; at the same time, machines can be used to dig trenches for pipes, pits for tanks, move concrete rings, etc.
Low quality building materials can ruin all the work, so you should save money when purchasing them only within reasonable limits.

DIY septic tanks for a private home video

And in the video you can see how to assemble and install a septic tank in a private house with your own hands. An example is shown using concrete rings.

Sewage is an important component of the benefits of civilization that every person wants to have, regardless of place of residence and distance from the city. Until the last few decades, most households were content with a conventional cesspool. Not the best optimal solution, which requires regular spending of money on the services of a vacuum cleaner. In addition, the cesspool poisons nearby groundwater and is a source of unpleasant odors. Now it is being replaced with a septic tank, which provides a high degree of sewage treatment. Such structures produced in a factory are expensive and can greatly empty your wallet. But there is an alternative -. And here you will learn how to make it.

Why do you need a septic tank?

Important! Instead of a filtration field or drainage well, the water that has passed through a three-chamber septic tank can be directed into a separate tank. Due to its high degree of purification, it is suitable for watering gardens, washing cars and other household needs (but not for drinking and cooking).

Having chosen the design of the septic tank, you need to decide what materials you will use to create it. The table below will help with this.

You may be interested in information about what it should be like.

Comparison of septic tanks Bars-Aero and Bars-Topas

Table. Classification of septic tanks made by hand, according to materials.

Description	Advantages	Flaws
Several old truck tires stacked on top of each other, with the gaps carefully sealed.	The cheapest and easiest way to create a local cleaning system. Requires a minimum of effort and knowledge, suitable for small dachas, visited periodically.	The joints between the tires are characterized by poor sealing - it is possible that sewage flows into the ground or, conversely, the septic tank can be flooded with groundwater. The design is also characterized by low strength and durability.
Round or rectangular containers, made of brick and treated from the inside with compounds that provide waterproofing. The bottom of the chambers is filled with concrete.	The durability of the structure and the absence of the need to use special equipment - if you have enough time, you can do all the work yourself.	Arranging brickwork requires much more time compared to installing concrete rings or Eurocubes. In addition, at of this material there are problems with waterproofing.
Separate two or three tanks made of concrete rings superimposed on each other. The bottom and roof are poured with concrete or covered with slabs of the appropriate size.	The most common design, satisfactory strength, durability and tightness. High speed of construction of VOCs.	To move and install the rings you need crane. The volume of septic tanks is strictly tied to the diameter concrete products, therefore, for cottages with a large number of residents, the arrangement of another VOC will be required.
A rectangular container divided by partitions into two or three separate parts. The bottom, walls and roof are poured with concrete into the formwork.	Excellent strength, durability and waterproofing properties. The ability to choose the size and volume of the septic tank as desired.	Arranging formwork and pouring concrete are labor-intensive and slow processes.
One, two or three plastic containers connected to each other; with sewerage and water drainage.	Relatively cheap, high levels of tightness and durability of the material.	During installation, plastic containers must be secured to anchors or a concrete foundation. There is a risk of squeezing a septic tank made from Eurocubes with groundwater.