Holding Tanks
Holding tanks are
nothing more than a large concrete or plastic tank in which
the waste from the home flows into and is stored till pumped.
Tanks will normally range in sizes from 1000 gallons to 3000
gallons.
Holding tanks are used where space is at a premium and a septic
field cannot be installed. Ecological or pollution concerns
to nearby lakes, streams or ponds are major factors that force
installation of holding tanks. Until recently there were no
options to holding tanks if you had a small property or you
were too near a lake, etc. Today there are new options such
as the peat-moss filtering field. These new systems have dramatically
changed the minimum distance requirements to lakes etc. Contact
your municipal offices for further information and specification
requirements.
Using holding tanks
is usually the last possible solution to septic installation.
They may cost less in installation, but they are one of the
most expensive to maintain. This is especially true if all your
home water and septic waste goes into the tank. Two persons
can easily average 1000 gallons per month.
In many cases the
holding tank is only used to hold the septic waste from the
toilet. Many homes that have holding tanks also have a separate
system called a grey water system. This is a complete septic
system designed to get rid of the grey water only. (showers,
baths washers, etc...) Again municipal regulations govern the
installation of these systems.
Holding tanks can
become a heavy financial burden on a new home buyer so beware
and get all the necessary information before buying. Ask the
seller to give you the name of the septic company that regularly
empties the tank. Call them and inquire on the property and
the prices they charge. Remember no two families have the same
habits or water usage's.
Possibilities
where a holding tank maybe used:
- A building that
is not frequently used year round such as a cottage.
- Homes near a
body of water such as a lake, river, stream or marsh.
- Home or business
with limited space.
- Homes that cannot
have septic fields installed because of ground conditions.
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