🚨 Cesspit vs Septic Tank vs Klargester What’s the Difference? 🚨
We’ve had a few clients recently unsure what system they actually have and today one told us her solicitor even changed her paperwork to say she had a cesspit instead of a septic tank to avoid the General Binding Rules paperwork 😳 (not good and definitely not the right approach!).
Here’s a quick guide to help clear up the confusion 👇
💧 Cesspit (Cesspool)
• A sealed tank that simply stores sewage.
• There’s no treatment at all it just fills up and needs regular emptying by a tanker.
• Used where no drainage field or treatment system is possible.
💧 Septic Tank
• A two or three chamber tank that separates solids and liquids.
• The liquid (effluent) flows out to a drainage field, where it soaks into the ground.
• It provides some treatment but must meet the General Binding Rules these set environmental standards for discharge.
💧 Klargester
A manufacturer of tanks that some professionals call all septic tanks even when they are not a Klargester.
✅ If your property has a septic tank or treatment plant, make sure it’s correctly described in your legal paperwork and compliant with the latest Environment Agency regulations.
❌ Mislabeling your system (for example, calling a septic tank a cesspit) might seem like a shortcut but it can cause big problems when selling a property or during inspections.
If you’re unsure what system you have, we can help identify it and check if it’s compliant.
