We have a working septic system that we have no complaints about.
However, we'd like to add a guesthouse and more bedrooms and that requires expanding the septic system.
I am happy to do this and happy to spend whatever it takes to do it.
However, I insist on a simple system relying on gravity and no pumps.
The problem is that our available leach field is relatively small … we need something like 8400 square feet and we have something like 3500-4500 square feet.
The solution suggested is to pump effluent uphill, elsewhere, where other field space can be found.
My question:
In general, are there practices that can reduce leach field area?
For instance, could we cascade from one septic tank to another and the resulting effluent is … thinner ? Needs less leach field?
Interested in any and all comments and suggestions – thank you.
Best Answer
I know you said "However, I insist on a simple system relying on gravity and no pumps", but I am going to ignore this and suggest you consider a mini-sewage treatment works.
We used to own a house with a Klargester biodisc, and it ran without problems for the 10 years we owned the house. The outflow was clean enough to discharge into a ditch. One of the advantages of the Klargester is that there is no leech field to get blocked, and if the pump does need to be worked on, it is reasonably accessible.
We did have a problem with the electrical supply (which I fixed by replacing the wire with an armoured cable). Before I did that, we had to switch off the Klargester when the ground was very wet (otherwise the RCD/GFGI tripped); this means I know that leaving the Klargester without power for a couple of days every so often is not a problem.