Will your septic tank system pass the council inspection?

• Almo has a vast amount of experience working in the Creeslough, Dunfanaghy, Downings, Carrigart areas and throughout Donegal. We have found that most septic tank systems will pass but the percolation areas may not. It may be the case that your system will need very little work to bring it up to current standards. One of the most important parts of maintaining your system is getting it emptied on a regular basis. The inspector will ask you for written evidence that your tank was emptied so it is essential that only certified operators (those with a waste collection permit) empty your tank.
  
  
• If there is a smell coming from your system this might indicate that there is a problem, this is where you would need professional help and advice as Hydrogen Sulphide is a gas commonly associated with the tanks and this can be extremely dangerous to health if inhaled.
  
  
• Another problem often found with septic tanks is the roof water being piped into the system. With each rainfall the roof water flushes solids from the tank into the percolation area, which results in the area becoming blocked over a short period of time, the percolation area will no longer work. If this occurs then your system will fail the inspection.
  
  
• There are two types of tank in Creeslough, Dunfanaghy, Downings, Carrigart and the surrounding areas. These are non-aerobic and aerobic.
  
  
• The most common is the non-aerobic tank. This tank is usually made of precast concrete or older ones may even be built with blocks. If these tanks are not leaking then they should pass the inspection, they do however require a certain amount of maintenance. It is essential that there is a Tpiece on the inlet and outlet of the tank. Almo can provide filters for the outlet to ensure that the water leaving the tank is filtered and does not block the percolation area.
  
  
• Aerobic tanks are more efficient, they usually include a control panel and a small compressor, this compressor blows air into the tank, which encourages the digestion of waste in the tank. They usually have a pump which pumps water/effluent into different chambers in the tank or to the percolation area. Regular maintenance of the pump and compressor is vital to ensure a smooth running system.