Advice on black storage tank

[ceejayt]

Hi

Where we park our motorhome it is not possible for me to drop our black tank - too far away from our septic tank or any drain.

I am thinking of installing just a black tank underground with a man hole where the van is parked. Something to perhaps hold a years worth of coming home and dumping which would save me from always seeking somewhere to do it on the way home. I could then have that tank simply emptied once a year.

Is there anything particularly difficult in what I am proposing?

C

 

[HandyAndy]

Why not have a drain cover and plumb in that drain to your septic tank

 

[ceejayt]

Why not have a drain cover and plumb in that drain to your septic tank

Cost - its a long way - having just had some drainage work done elsewhere at the front of the house which cost £11k I am looking for an easy solution

 

[HandyAndy]

Digging a ruddy great hole to sink a second septic tank can't be much different than digging a trench and pipe to connect to existing.

Cut cost by doing what you can yourself instead of farming it all out to a contractor
Hiring a mini digger is roughly £250 a week
Gravel to lay pipe in 50-60 quid a bulk bag
and then a builder at £200 a day rate to lay pipe and plumb in.

 

[HandyAndy]

You're not going to be able to bury a MH "black tank" underground as it has no structural integrity designed to withstand the weight of dirt on it and will collapse.

Easiest option I can see is to ring all local sites and ask if you can dump black waste at their disposal point before you arrive home. even if they charge a Tenner it'll be cheaper than digging up your driveway / garden.

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[HandyAndy]

OR...
Buy a solids pump and a long length of hose and pump the poop to your septic tank, empty your grey into it afterwards for a cleanse, coil up hose in a purpose made box / garden shed near septic tank?

 

[ceejayt]

You can definitely buy plain storage tanks to bury underground - plenty of structural integrity, even in plastic. Only about £500

I just wondered if anyone had any actual experience of doing this. and could offer any advice?

I already have on my website a list of all the places you can dump black ( http://www.annie-and-chris.com/motorhome-black-tank-service-points/ ) - I just want the extra convenience of doing it at home as well.

 

[HandyAndy]

Planning rules for septic tanks will have to be complied with though, so proper septic tank will have to be buried, you can indeed buy these for £500 but they are going to be 2.5m tall and you will have to bed them on something suitable. That does not sound like a cheap "get around"

 

[ceejayt]

Planning rules for septic tanks will have to be complied with though, so proper septic tank will have to be buried, you can indeed buy these for £500 but they are going to be 2.5m tall and you will have to bed them on something suitable. That does not sound like a cheap "get around"

I know all about septic tanks and the rules - we have one

This would not be a septic tank - just a tank to store black waste and be pumped out regularly which its legal.

If anyone has any experience of doing this then that would be great. Thanks

 

[thebriars]

This would not be a septic tank - just a tank to store black waste and be pumped out regularly which its legal.

If anyone has any experience of doing this then that would be great. Thanks

What you are considering is called a cesspit. It still needs planning permission and building control. Gov website advice:

If you install a new cesspool

You must:

• get and building regulations approval
• make sure it has a minimum capacity of 18,000 litres per 2 users (plus another 6,800 litres per each extra user)

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[Snowbird]

I have a big tote on wheels for my fiver. Just drop the tanks in there and wheel it to you septic tank. Keep it simple.

 

[CazPaul]

It won't be as easy as dogging a big hole, dropping a tank in and covering over, there will be all sorts of regulations and design to meet.

Agree with HandyAndy just ring around and find somewhere to empty on the way home.

I thought big black tanks were meant to be easier.

We have a septic tank on the fell about 60 yards away or so

 

[Mikey RV]

Get a macarator pump and adapt to fit motorhome outlet and a long layflat hose and pump to your septic tank. I had one on my RV and worked a treat.

 

[tacr2man]

I can say same as Mikey RV , hook up macerator and away you go , I used a semi flexible pipe and have done a good 30ft and uphill as here

Just remember to run your grey thru afterwards

 

[Lenny HB]

Why can't you just "T" into your existing house soil pipe and have a rodding eye cap above ground to empty into.

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[ceejayt]

OK - thanks for the suggestions/comment - all noted

 

[ceejayt]

I have a big tote on wheels for my fiver. Just drop the tanks in there and wheel it to you septic tank. Keep it simple.

Have been looking for one as the other option - where did you get yours - ideally I want to plug my hose on at each end to avoid any spillage

 

[ceejayt]

What you are considering is called a cesspit. It still needs planning permission and building control. Gov website advice:

If you install a new cesspool

You must:

• get and building regulations approval
• make sure it has a minimum capacity of 18,000 litres per 2 users (plus another 6,800 litres per each extra user)

Actually, that's not correct - this applies only to a cesspit for a house - number of people/toilets etc - as I said earlier, IO know all about that. This is a simple single entry black tank storage to be pumped out and if ANYONE has actually done this then please let me know how you got on

 

[Snowbird]

Have been looking for one as the other option - where did you get yours - ideally I want to plug my hose on at each end to avoid any spillage

Its a SmartTote 2, 40518 LXRV Portable waste tank. It came with the fiver, so have no idea how much it was. I have used it and it works well. It comes complete with all pipes and is easy to use, with no spillage. If you are any distance from the dump point you can tow it with a car.

 

[sallylillian]

How far is it to the nearest manhole on your land?

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[romany]

I have worked closely with planning as a parish councilor doing a village plan I can assure you what you are considering will need at the very least a building regulation certificate and as its black waste an environment assessment or do it on the quiet and the first time you have an accidental spill or overflow prepare for a very big fine

 

[Campervan_man]

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[romany]

Lennys is probably your easiest and simplest solution you must have a breather pipe near your house or down the side too T into

 

[Minxy]

Large bore hose and pump would be the most obvious solution with little actual work needed (ie no new drains/alteration to existing, and no great ruddy hole to dig and get rid of all the spoil from.

Do you know anyone at your local Fire Station? You might be able to find out where all the old hoses go and get one.

 

[golly]

is this the sort of thing ? USA site though.
Link Removed

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[ceejayt]

I have worked closely with planning as a parish councilor doing a village plan I can assure you what you are considering will need at the very least a building regulation certificate and as its black waste an environment assessment or do it on the quiet and the first time you have an accidental spill or overflow prepare for a very big fine

I think you are incorrect as I went into septic tank planning in some detail - this applies when connected to a domestic supply however, worth checking thank you

 

[ceejayt]

is this the sort of thing ? USA site though.
Link Removed

Thanks - not big enough - want to dump 100 litres at a time

 

[romany]

I think you are incorrect as I went into septic tank planning in some detail - this applies when connected to a domestic supply however, worth checking thank you

Well at least your aware I believe the regs are there to stop pollution in the event of a flood as one example. good luck

 

[golly]

Thanks - not big enough - want to dump 100 litres at a time

I think that one holds 102 lt, 27 us gal.

 

[ceejayt]

I think that one holds 102 lt, 27 us gal.

Thanks - looks good - wonder what the import cost will be - will see if they ship

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