Welcome to the world of wastewater management - a crucial, though not commonly discussed, part of life. In New Zealand, our approach to handling wastewater varies depending on location and available infrastructure. In our urban centres, we often take for granted that our wastewater is whisked away through an intricate network of pipes to be treated and safely disposed of. But what happens when you live in a more remote or rural area where the public sewage system doesn't reach? Enter the cesspit: a traditional yet still relevant method of managing wastewater.
A cesspit, though not the most glamorous of topics, plays a vital role in ensuring the health and safety of households and the surrounding environment, particularly in areas of New Zealand where other waste management systems are impractical or unavailable. This blog post aims to shed some light on what a cesspit is, how it works, its purpose and the regulations surrounding its use in Aotearoa. By the end, we hope to provide you with a clearer understanding of this often-overlooked, but essential, aspect of New Zealand's wastewater infrastructure.
A cesspit, also known as a cesspool, is a type of waste management system used primarily in rural and semi-rural areas where connection to the main sewerage system is either impractical or impossible. It's essentially a sealed underground storage tank that collects all the wastewater and sewage produced in a household. Everything that goes down your drains - from the sink, shower, washing machine, and toilet - ends up in the cesspit. In New Zealand, they are commonly used in remote locations, such as the Coromandel and Great Barrier Island.
The cesspit system is relatively straightforward, but the installation and maintenance can be complex. Cesspits are installed underground and need to be large enough to handle the waste output of the household. The size of the cesspit will depend on the number of people in the household and the rate of water usage. To ensure the cesspit functions effectively and safely, it must be installed correctly, which typically involves excavation, lining the pit with watertight material, and installing access points for maintenance and pumping. This is typically a job for a professional drainage or waste management company.
In New Zealand, the use of cesspits is tightly regulated. They must be watertight to prevent leakage and contamination of groundwater. Moreover, the cesspit needs to be placed at a safe distance from any buildings or water sources to minimise the risk of contamination. It also needs to be easily accessible for regular emptying and maintenance, as cesspits do not treat or dispose of the waste, they merely store it. This means regular pumping out is required to prevent overflow and potential environmental damage. In some parts of New Zealand, such as Auckland, property owners are required to have their cesspits pumped out at least once a year.
A cesspit works in a fairly straightforward manner. All the wastewater from a property, including from the bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry, flows into the cesspit. The cesspit simply acts as a receptacle, storing the waste until it reaches capacity.
Because cesspits don't process or break down waste like septic tanks do, they need to be emptied frequently. The frequency depends on the size of the cesspit and the amount of waste being produced, but typically, a cesspit needs to be emptied every four to six weeks. This is usually done by a professional waste disposal company that pumps out the waste and transports it to a treatment facility.
The primary purpose of a cesspit is to safely store wastewater and sewage from a property until it can be properly disposed of. In rural areas of New Zealand where access to public sewage systems may be limited, cesspits provide an essential method for managing waste.
By securely containing the waste, cesspits help to prevent environmental pollution and protect public health. However, because they store raw sewage, they need to be monitored and maintained carefully to prevent leaks or overflows which could pose serious environmental and health risks.
In New Zealand terminology, a cesspit and a cesspool are essentially the same thing. Both terms refer to an underground tank or pit that is used to store wastewater and sewage from a property.
However, in some countries, the terms may have slightly different meanings. For instance, in the UK, a cesspool is a sealed underground tank that collects all wastewater, while a cesspit might refer to a rudimentary and often outdated system of waste disposal. But here in NZ, we generally use the terms interchangeably.
While both septic tanks and cesspits serve the purpose of managing waste, there are significant differences between the two systems. A septic tank is a type of onsite sewage facility that treats the wastewater through a process of bacterial decomposition and drainage. The waste flows into the tank where solid material settles at the bottom, and the remaining liquid is treated and then discharged into a drain field.
On the other hand, a cesspit doesn't treat the waste at all. It's simply a holding tank where all the waste is stored until it's pumped out and taken away for treatment elsewhere. This means cesspits need to be emptied much more frequently than septic tanks, usually every four to six weeks depending on usage and capacity.
A cesspit and a soak pit serve different purposes in the realm of waste management. As discussed, a cesspit is a holding tank for raw, untreated waste, which requires regular emptying. A soak pit, on the other hand, is a different beast entirely. It's a pit filled with coarse stone and gravel where water is directed to soak into the ground.
Soak pits are primarily designed to manage stormwater runoff, not raw sewage. They allow excess water to percolate naturally into the ground, reducing the risk of surface water flooding and groundwater contamination. So, while a cesspit stores waste for removal, a soak pit helps manage water levels and protect the environment.
In New Zealand, there are strict regulations in place for the installation, maintenance, and management of cesspits to protect public health and the environment. The Building Act 2004 and the Health Act 1956 outline these requirements, which local councils enforce.
The Auckland Council, for example, states that cesspits must be designed and constructed to avoid any possibility of contamination of water supplies, and must be watertight to prevent leakage. They also need to be located at least 1.5 meters from any building and at least 50 meters from any water source. In addition, they need to be easily accessible for pumping out and maintenance.
As with any significant drainage repair or installation on your property, it's important to check with your local council for any specific regulations or guidelines in your area. And always hire a qualified New Zealand drainlayer for installation and maintenance to ensure that your cesspit meets all requirements and is safe for use.