A cesspool, or a cesspit as it’s commonly called, is an underground tank that’s sealed at the bottom and is used for collecting wastewater from households. It is a crucial part of the on-site sanitation system that is commonly deployed in houses that don’t have access to municipal sewage lines. In many parts of the U.S. where municipal sewage lines have not been laid down yet, cesspits are commonly used. The cesspit must not be confused with a septic tank (both have different functions) and in many parts of the world, they are forbidden. However, in the U.S., there are still different regions that use cesspits. Here are some important things that you should know about them.
How it Functions
The cesspool is installed under the ground and has a hatch protruding above the surface. When the wastewater enters the tank through an inlet pipe, the solids tend to sink to the bottom, whereas the lighter liquids, also known as the surface scum, rise above. However, the tank must be emptied on a regular basis and you will need to contact a private company such as Valley Isle Pumping for pumping the cesspit. As you can imagine, the costs of maintaining the cesspit are quite high due to the regular pumping involved.
Regulations
From time to time, you will need to get the cesspool replaced as well. Old-time cesspits were lined with concrete, though modern ones are simple tanks that can be removed wholly and new ones can be set in place. If there’s a leakage in the tank, it may lead to a sanitation emergency so it’s important that you get it replaced right away. Do read up on the local regulations on how to maintain the cesspit to minimize issues. You can also connect with them on Facebook.
