If your property is not connected to the public sewer, you have an off-mains drainage system. Across rural Kent, Surrey and Sussex, that almost always means one of two things: a septic tank or a cesspit.

How A Septic Tank Works

A septic tank is a treatment system. Solids settle to the bottom as sludge. Fats float to the top as scum. The clarified liquid flows out into a soakaway or drainage field. The tank only fills with sludge and scum – typically only needing emptying once a year.

How A Cesspit Works

A cesspit is a sealed holding tank. It does not treat anything and it does not discharge anywhere. Every drop of wastewater stays there until a tanker pumps it out. Much more expensive to run over time.

How To Tell Which One You Have

• Check the documentation.
• Look at the chamber. A septic tank has two chambers with an inlet and outlet. A cesspit has one chamber and inlet only.
• Track the emptying frequency. Every couple of months = cesspit. Once a year = septic tank.
• Ask the tanker company.

Legal Compliance: The General Binding Rules

In England, septic tanks must discharge to a properly functioning drainage field, not directly to a watercourse. If your septic tank discharges to a stream or ditch, it must be upgraded.

Running Costs Compared

• Septic tank empty frequency: typically once a year.
• Cesspit empty frequency: every few weeks to months.
• Annual septic tank running cost: £200-£350.
• Annual cesspit running cost: often £1,000+.

Essential Maintenance For Both

• Avoid harsh chemicals.
• Stick to the Three Ps.
• Keep surface water out.
• Do not park or drive over the tank or drainage field.
• Empty on a schedule.

Call Call2Drain

Call 01892 571 555 for off-mains advice.

If your Kent property runs on a septic tank, regular emptying is not optional. Neglect it and you will pay for it twice: once in failed drainage, and once in repair or replacement of the soakaway.

How A Septic Tank Differs From A Cesspit

A septic tank treats wastewater. Solids settle as sludge, fats float as scum, the clarified liquid flows out into a soakaway. A cesspit stores everything and is simply pumped out. Septic tanks can go much longer between emptying.

How Often Should A Septic Tank Be Emptied?

For most domestic septic tanks in Kent, emptying once a year is the standard recommendation. Some systems can stretch to 18 months or two years. The right interval depends on tank size, occupancy, water use, soakaway condition and what is going into the system.

Warning Signs Your Septic Tank Needs Emptying

• Slow drainage across multiple fixtures.
• Gurgling from plugholes, baths or downstairs WCs.
• A persistent foul smell in the garden.
• Wet, soft or boggy ground over the drainage field in dry weather.
• Greener, more lush grass over the tank or drainage field.
• Sewage backing up into ground-floor fixtures.
• A strong smell after heavy rainfall.

What Happens If You Do Not Empty It?

When sludge and scum accumulate beyond design limits, solids start to migrate out into the soakaway. A blocked soakaway is the single most expensive thing that goes wrong with a septic system. Prevention is dramatically cheaper than cure.

How To Keep A Septic Tank Healthy

• Empty it regularly. Once a year is a sensible default.
• Avoid harsh chemicals – they kill the beneficial bacteria.
• No wet wipes, sanitary products, nappies, kitchen fat or cooking oil.
• Keep surface water out.
• Maintain the drainage field. Do not park or drive over it.
• Know your binding rules.

Call Call2Drain

Call 01892 571 555 for fixed-price septic tank emptying across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

A cesspit is a sealed underground holding tank. It does not treat anything. It does not discharge anywhere. Every drop of wastewater your household produces sits in it until a tanker takes it away.

What Affects Cesspit Emptying Cost

Tank size. Most domestic cesspits in Kent fall between 1,000 and 4,000 gallons.

Access for the tanker. Long hose runs, narrow lanes, locked gates, soft ground and buried lids all add time.

Distance to the disposal point. Cesspit waste must be disposed of at a licensed facility.

Urgency. Planned visits booked a few days ahead are almost always cheaper than emergency call-outs.

Typical Pricing In Kent

For most domestic cesspits, planned visits sit in the £175 to £300 range. Larger tanks (3,000 to 4,000 gallons) can run to £300 to £450 or more.

How Often Does A Cesspit Need Emptying?

A small cesspit serving a busy household can fill in a few weeks. A larger tank serving a lightly used property may go months. Note the date and volume at each visit and book on a rolling schedule.

Warning Signs A Cesspit Is About To Overflow

• Toilets flushing slowly or refilling noisily.
• Gurgling from baths and downstairs WCs.
• Sewage smells around the tank lid.
• Wet or boggy ground around the tank.
• Waste backing up.
• The high-level alarm has triggered.

How To Prevent Overflows

• Fit a high-level alarm.
• Book on a rolling schedule.
• Reduce inputs where you can.
• Keep rainwater out.
• Inspect lids and seals.

Call Call2Drain

Call 01892 571 555 for fixed-price cesspit emptying across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.