Septic Tank and Surface water

[robkgraham]

I've always been led to believe that surface water should never be drained to a septic tank on the grounds that it flushes the tank through too fast - is that wrong or has the policy on this changed in recent years ?

We're all on septic tanks where I live and I'm surprised to see that the drains for an extension my neighbours are having built are all being run into the same pipe. I'm particularly interested as I'm going to have to re-do some of my down pipes shortly and running them into the drain from the bathroom would be much easier than re-establishing a soak-away.

Rob

[Peter Crosland]

Only foul drains should be connected to the septic tank. If you need to construct a new soakaway don't forget to get permission.

Peter Crosland

[Mike]

NO !

NO !!!!!!!!!!!

I really hope you are wrong.

You need a soak-away.

[zaax]

In article , Peter Crosland writes

Why can't surface water drains be connected it's only a tank after all.

[Andy Dingley]

A septic tank relies on a minimum holding time to let the bacteria do their bit. More water into it means less time spent in there before the outlet gets pumped / flows over the weir. If you start directing a whole roof's worth of rain in there, then that can be several times the capacity and you really do start to get carry over.

If the yank gets smelly in wet weather, you have a problem with this.

[Peter Scott]

You'll also flood your soakaway if you have one. Surface water can be drained into a watercourse but foul water can't.

Peter Scott