Holding tanks is taboo in home ownership. If you have a solid understanding of how holding tanks work, they are not as intimidating as one may think.
Holding tanks are similar yet different from that of a traditional septic system. Holding tanks are required if the property has an existing home and insufficient space for the other septic system options – i.e., BAT, traditional, Mound, specialty designed. The other instance in which a holding tank would be required is if their existing home does not have a passing repair Perc. A Failed Repair Perc means the soils are not up to the requirements to work for a septic system drain field.
The purpose of a holding tank(s) is that everything and anything that goes down any of the drains goes into the holding tank. Holding tanks are similar to traditional systems because all plumbing fixtures lead to a tank, but that is the only similarity.
Holding tanks do not connect to a drain field like a traditional system.
For example, pouring a glass of unfinished tea into the sink will go down the drain and into the holding tank. It will stay in that holding tank with everything else that is dumped, flushed, or drained until the holding tanks are pumped.
For example, pouring a glass of unfinished tea into the sink will go down the drain and into the holding tank. It will stay in that holding tank with everything else that is dumped, flushed, or drained until the holding tanks are pumped.
Depending on the usage and number of people in the home, they will need to be pumped out every couple of weeks to every couple of months. The average discharge to the tank is rounded to approximately 150 gallons per day per bedroom. This tends to be a high estimate for daily use, but to consider every time a toilet is flushed is roughly 1.28 gallons.
A common question, understandably so, is, “How often does it need to be pumped?” That answer is difficult to pinpoint. It depends on the number of people in the home and their water habits. Is this their primary residence, or is it a weekend home? Are they vigilant on leaking toilets or dripping faucets? All these things fill up the holding tanks. Another important question is how many gallons the holding tank holds. After a few weeks/months, there is typically a pattern in the length of time between pump outs.
The size of the holding tanks is important to know as well. When installing holding tanks, the Health Department has a minimum requirement size to be installed due to the size of the home. If there is space, it is highly recommended that two tanks be installed that are connected to the holding tanks. For example, 3,500 gallons are required by the Health Department; one may as well install two 2,000-gallon tanks because it’s minimally disturbed by what is already being installed, gives a little more space, and will fill the entire pump truck. This will benefit the owner in terms of the cost of pumpouts.
There is also a high-level alarm on the holding tank to make the owner aware it is taking time to pump out the tanks. When the alarm goes off, the pump out should be scheduled for the first opening with an MDE-certified Licensed pump. This is an imperative action with Holding Tanks. There will be a day or two left to fill the holding tanks, but that is it before it stops going down the plumbing fixtures and starts coming back up inside or out onto the ground. If the county is made aware of the sewage spill on the ground that can cause harm to the environment and/or community, fines will be placed on the property by the county.
This information is not to cause fear of holding tanks but to inform about holding tanks so that needing holding tanks, buying a home with Holding tanks, or just visiting a home with Holding Tanks, one can be aware of their water usage and make informed choices.
Cullison Excavating is more than happy to help with any needs you may have for your holding tanks, from installing and pumping to any repairs that may arise!