Emptying of septic tanks

There are strict requirements regarding the emptying of septic tanks. All tanks must be emptied on a regular basis to avoid that sewage sips into the nature. We empty septic tanks according to local requirements or when needed.

There are two types of septic tanks; tight tanks and slugde separators.

What is a tight tank?
In a tight tank, septic is collected in the chamber. A tight tank has no outlet, hence there is no need for water cleaning or more chambers in such a tank. When the tight tank is emptied, the entire tank is emptied without returning cleaned water, as is the case in the emptying of regular septic tanks.

Tight tanks are most common in cabin complexes and areas where septic tank emissions are prohibited. It is important that you regularly check that the tank is not leaking – this will lead to the tank filling up at an unnecessarily fast rate.

What is a sludge separator?
A sludge separator is a septic tank where sludge goes into the chamber No.1 of the septic tank, before it is separated into the chamber No.2 and No.3, where the septic tank outlet is located. This septic tank is most common in detached houses.

During sludge separation, solid particles and floating sludge is held back from the wastewater. Sludge separation is also used as the only cleaning step in emissions to suitable sea recipients, or as a preliminary treatment before the main cleaning step in different types of wastewater facilities. Good sludge separation is important for the main cleaning to function well. Sludge separators are made so that both silt and floating sludge is held back.

In less sensitive areas, where the emissions may be made to a suitable sea recipient, and at a minimum of two metres below the lowest water level, sludge separation may be suitable as the only cleaning step.

This is a simple solution. It requires little surface, is affordable and demands minimal supervision.

It is important that sludge separators are emptied regularly. The downside of a sludge separator is that it has a low cleaning capacity according to most parameters.

Can you remove old septic tanks?
In some cases, there might be a need to remove septic tanks purely physically, and this can be expensive. As an alternative, we therefore offer disconnection of old septic tanks, where the drain is then connected to the municipal pipe system.

There is also a requirement that the tank be filled with gravel. This can be done with a vacuum excavator. It is fast and efficient, and entails no damage to the area around the tank. In the end, a plumber connects inlet and outlet in the tank with a piece of piping. Afterwards, the drain will run through the tank without stopping, and out in the municipal pipe system.

Septic tank problems?
There can be many reasons why you have problems with the septic tank. The level of a tight septic tank varies according to use of toilet, shower, cleaning and washing machines. It is important that the level does not exceed the tank inlet. In this case you may have problems with flushing the toilet. If the septic tank gets too full, the level will rise so high that it will eventually flow into the tank.

Is the level of the septic tank higher than the inlet?
The pipes in the house lead to the septic tank’s chamber No.1. A toilet that takes long to flush, may suggest that the pipes are clogged or that the septic tank is so full that the level is higher than the inlet.

What must NOT go into the toilet?
For optimal operation of your septic tank, and to avoid pipes from clogging, it is important to be aware of what must NOT be flushed down the toilet. This applies, but is not limited to:

Wet wipes
Cloths
Bathroom blocks
Oil
Diapers
Sanitary napkins/tampons
Milk from milking parlor/barn
Grease