How to make an autonomous sewer with your own hands

Autonomous sewerage is an important detail in creating a cozy country house. Many cottage owners are interested in the question of how to make it with their own hands, without attracting outside experts for a lot of money. This process can be done independently, with the necessary skills and tools. The following guidelines will help you create comfort in your country house.

What type of autonomous sewage system to choose

If your country house or site is located far from communication systems, then you cannot do without an autonomous sewage system. Previously, cesspools were widely used, but they are being replaced by modern and convenient systems - a septic tank, dry closet and autonomous stations.

When choosing the type of local sewage system for your site, you should consider a number of factors:

• soil composition;
• the depth of the sewage;
• the number of people who will use the sewer;
• composition and quantity of plumbing equipment;
• the possibility of an access to a sewage truck;
• duration of stay in the house.

Cesspools

This is the simplest and long-known version of the local sewerage system. Previously, filter pits were created everywhere, which let liquids into the ground and retained solid waste. But today, such constructions are mostly prohibited, as they are time bombs in your area. Untreated sewage flows into the ground, so there is a high likelihood of hazardous contaminants entering aquifers and drinking water, making it dangerous for consumption.

An alternative and safer option is a drain pit, which is a sealed tank. This installation minimizes the likelihood of soil contamination, and also creates almost no unpleasant odor. The disadvantage of this option is that you will often have to pump out waste from the tank by hiring a sewer.

The drain pit consists of a pipeline that removes waste water from the house, and a storage tank. The container can be made from:

• concrete;
• bricks;
• metal with anti-corrosion coating;
• plastic.

Plastic options are considered optimal for do-it-yourself sewer equipment. The tank is installed underground at a distance of at least 5 meters from the house. It is also necessary to leave a place for the entrance of the sewer truck.

Such a reservoir is created as follows:

1. A pit is being dug. The height should take into account the depth of soil freezing.
2. At the bottom of the pit, a base of 20-25 cm of sand and fine gravel is mounted.
3. A container made of some material is installed at the bottom, it is connected to the sewer pipe. The joints must be sealed.
4. The outlet is closed with a hatch. Reconciliation is poured a layer of sand and soil.

Septic tank

The best solution for an autonomous drainage system today is considered a septic tank. Such a system is reliable in use and does not require complex and expensive maintenance.

There are several models of septic tanks suitable for private houses:

1. Small single chamber septic tank. This option is suitable for a house in which no more than 2 people live permanently and do not consume a lot of water.
2. Small septic tank for 2 or 3 chambers. Suitable for larger houses. In a large tank of such a septic tank, sludge is formed as a result of the natural processing of solids. Sludge needs to be pumped out 2 times a year. Substances that need to be removed are also deposited in a small container.
3. Multi-chamber septic tank.These septic tanks are expensive, so they are most often installed for a group of houses that are close to each other.

A septic tank can be created from different materials:

1. Reinforced concrete. This design is suitable for a single chamber version. It is water tight and corrosion resistant.
2. Monolithic concrete. Suitable for a two-chamber septic tank. Reliable and relatively cheap option.
3. Brick. Such a septic tank will differ from ordinary brickwork only with a waterproofing layer.
4. Plastic. The huge advantage of this design is that you buy a module that is immediately ready for installation. It is considered the best option, although it costs more than brick and concrete options.

The process of building a local septic tank is not particularly difficult:

1. A pit is being dug. At its bottom, a layer of sand of 150 mm is laid, a foundation or a concrete slab.
2. The septic tank itself is installed. The structure must be carefully lowered to the bottom of the pit and filled with water. After that, sand is poured into the voids on the sides.
3. Post-treatment. If additional treatment is provided for filtration fields, they should be located at a distance of more than 50 meters from the water source, 30 meters from the reservoir and 5 meters from the housing.
4. Pipe laying. Trenches are dug at a depth of 50 cm, the bottom is covered with sand and pipes are laid. A layer of sand and soil is poured on top.

Dry closet

The simplest design of the dry closet consists of 2 containers that are interconnected. Upper - receiving compartment, lower - for collection and disposal of waste. Dry closets are:

• electrical;
• liquid;
• peat.

Peat biotoilets are considered the best option for a private house. Electrical options will require large financial costs, while liquid options require a lot of water and biological products.

The simplest option is a peat dry closet, consisting of:

• a toilet seat or seat (instead of a toilet);
• containers for peat;
• pits for composting waste.

The principle of operation of such a toilet is as follows. Waste is collected in containers with peat, and a new portion of the mixture is poured on top of them. Sawdust is often added to this mass in a 1: 1 ratio. In this case, the filling of the container will occur in layers.

Stages of work on the creation of a peat dry closet:

1. Determine its location (in a specially equipped room at home or in a separate street building).
2. Installation of a tank or bucket with peat, where waste will be collected.
3. A toilet seat is attached above the container. If the waste container has a large volume, then a hatch must be made on the side to clean it.
4. Next to this structure is a peat tank. The substance is regularly added on top of the waste.
5. In the yard, it is necessary to equip a compost pit into which waste from the dry closet will be poured.
6. The removal of liquids is carried out through the branch pipe. It is displayed in a previously prepared trench.

Autonomous stations

Thanks to such structures, waste goes through two stages of processing: mechanical (as in a septic tank, only without additional soil treatment) and biological, where it is purified up to 98-100%.

Modern biological treatment plants artificially saturate wastewater with oxygen. Water purified in this way can be safely drained or used to water the garden. Installation is carried out as follows:

1. We determine the place for the station, we dig a hole there, the dimensions of which depend on the dimensions of the station.
2. We dig a trench 50-60 cm deep with a slope of 3% for a 110 mm sewer pipe.
3. We dig out another trench for a discharge pipe with the same diameter, but additionally insulated.
4. We lower the station into the pit, level it and connect the pipes (inlet and outlet).
5. We bring an electric cable to the station and connect it according to the instructions.
6. We connect the alarm system lamp and the float.
7. We first start the station, check the operation of all airlift pumps, heating cables and other systems.
8. We carry out full backfilling of the station and trenches.

Prevention to avoid problems

Whichever option of an autonomous sewage system you choose, it is very important to carry out treatment measures on time. First of all, this applies to cesspools, but other systems also require careful maintenance.

Cleaning of the autonomous sewage system should be carried out in accordance with the rules of operation inside house pipeline networks and external treatment facilities (sedimentation tanks).

If the solid waste that accumulates at the bottom of the sump in the form of sludge is not removed in a timely manner, it will gradually be compressed and turn into a clay-like material. In this case, the cleaning process will require an order of magnitude more effort and financial investment.

In addition to removing effluent from treatment facilities, the pipeline network must also be flushed. Such prevention significantly reduces the likelihood of blockages and prolongs the service life of the sewer system of a private house.

On average, cleaning activities are carried out with the following frequency:

• cesspool and single-chamber septic tank - once a quarter;
• multi-section septic tank - every six months;
• cleaning station and dry closet - once a year.