Cesspit | Cesspool Supply | Information

WTE are specialist Cesspit ( Cesspool ) suppliers. We install cesspits, cesspools, septic tanks and sewage treatment plant throughout the UK.

A Cesspit ( cesspool ) is purely a holding tank without an outlet.   There is no intent to treat or discharge the sewage and the cesspit function is simply to collect waste and store it.

Cesspits explained

Many people confuse a cesspool and a cesspit with a septic tank. 

Unlike a cesspit, septic tanks do provide a rudimentary sewage treatment and have an outlet to a soakaway, hence they only require emptying once a year. A Cesspool requires emptying on a very frequent basis around every 45 days or so, depending on use.

Click here for details of all the sewage treatment options available as a cesspool should be installed only as a last resort.  There are some very good sewage treatment plants available, some of which don't require any electricity.

A Cesspool is illegal in Scotland.

A Cess pit acts as a temporary solution for locations without mains drainage where the discharge of treated effluent is not permissible due to unsuitable ground conditions, or where infrequent use such as for a holiday home would prevent the use of a septic tank or MOST packaged sewage treatment plants.

They must be installed, however, on campsites to receive chemical toilet waste which would kill a septic tank or sewage treatment plant. 

Standard sizes range from 18,000 litres to 84,000 litres, however larger tanks, up to 220,000 litres are available. Please ask for further details.

Cesspit Problems

A Cesspool can smell quite badly as is has to be vented to allow excess sewage gases to exit the tank.

They should have an alarm fitted in order that you are aware when the tank needs emptying.  This should be your ONLY method of checking.

On NO account should you lift the lid to check the level in the cesspit as the toxic gases can overcome you very quickly!

If the cesspit leaks, a wastewater engineer should be called out to remove the waste and clear up the sewage. The cause of the leak should be found and remedied, although, if it is a fibreglass cesspit, this may be impossible.

Older brick versions will have been installed many years ago and great care should be taken to avoid walking or driving over the top of them.  They cover a very large area under the ground, up to 20 square metres, and this makes them very weak as they deteriorate.  It is not unknown for the top to collapse, in fact, several people have been killed as a result of this since the year 2000.  One of our own vans lost a front wheel into one when the top caved in.  We were lucky - the survey was to try to find the location of the cesspit!  We reversed out very carefully!

Sizing of cesspits

British Water sizing criteria should be used when calculating the capacity of a cesspit based on a loading of 180 litres per person per day. The cesspool should be of a sufficient capacity to hold 45 days worth of effluent. For a single dwelling 18000 litres (4000 gallons) is the minimum allowable capacity. This capacity is suitable for two residents only. For every additional person, the size must be increased by 6800 litres, thus for a 4 bedroomed house, the cesspool size would be a whopping 42,200 litres, all to be emptied every 45 days and every litre paid for by you.

High level alarms are required in order that the level in the cesspit can be monitored and to ensure that it does not overflow. Cesspits are a very expensive option for purchase, installation and running costs.

Cesspits can only be emptied by a licensed waste disposal contractor.  Never use a farmer or anyone who is not licensed as the fines for illegal emptying of a cesspool are prohibitive. 

A Cesspool should only be installed when no other system is possible.

Emptying of Cesspits

This can only be carried out by a Licenced Waste Disposal Contractor.