Welcome to our dedicated range of Cesspools (also known as Cesspits), the essential sealed underground storage solution for properties unable to connect to a mains sewer system or where ground conditions prevent the use of a drainage field.
A cesspool is a watertight holding tank designed to store all domestic wastewater and sewage until it is removed by a licensed waste carrier. Unlike septic tanks, a cesspool performs no on-site treatment or discharge.
Our tanks are manufactured from robust materials like GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) and are available in capacities suitable for temporary sites, seasonal homes, and domestic dwellings. Ensure your installation meets current building regulations and Environmental Agency requirements for capacity and structural integrity.
Cesspools are often the only viable wastewater solution when soil conditions (poor percolation) or environmental restrictions prohibit the use of a soakaway or treatment plant. They function purely as a collection system: all sewage and wastewater from the property flows directly into the single-chamber sealed tank, which has an inlet pipe but no outlet pipe.
Material Integrity: Our tanks are constructed from durable materials like Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) or high-grade plastic, ensuring a fully watertight and structurally sound container to prevent leaks.
Compliance: New installations must adhere to UK Building Regulations and local planning permission. Regulations specify minimum capacity, often around 18,000 litres for two users, plus an additional 6,800 litres per extra user.
Safety Monitoring: We recommend installing a High-Level Alarm float mechanism to warn you when the tank is near capacity, ensuring you arrange waste removal before an overflow occurs.
Easy Access: Tanks are supplied with a manhole cover or access shaft designed for safe and efficient emptying by a sewage disposal tanker.
It is vital to understand the operational difference between a cesspool and a septic tank:
| Feature | Cesspool (Cesspit) | Septic Tank |
| Treatment | None. Purely stores raw waste. | Separates solids and liquids, performs anaerobic treatment. |
| Discharge | No outlet. Must be emptied by tanker. | Discharges partially treated liquid into a drainage field (soakaway). |
| Emptying Frequency | High. Requires frequent emptying (often monthly/quarterly). | Low. Requires desludging periodically (usually every 1–5 years). |
| Environmental Risk | Higher risk of pollution if overfilled or leaking. | Lower risk, as effluent is treated before discharge to the ground. |
Due to their collection-only function, regular emptying by a licensed waste carrier is mandatory to comply with UK law and prevent environmental pollution.
