Septic tanks

[Nicos]

Anyone growing veg near the soak -away of a septic tank???/
Just need some advice as I hope to grow some fruit/veg there next year.

[JennieAtkinson]

Nicos
It might depend on how old the septic tank is and how good the soakaway is at "soaking away". Modern tanks with double and UV filters and a soakaway with good percolation, should not result in anything but a rise in nutrients (phospherous and nitrogen I think). But some old tanks just "drain" and old soakaways can get clogged up. Sewer Rat would be your best bet on an answer to this question!!

In Shetland we have very poor drainage and it has been suggested that we use reed planting to help the soakaway. Unfortunately reeds don't grow very well here, but I have got a few flag iris growing in my soakaway!

I'm sure if you asked the question of your local office of English Nature (is that the equivalent of Scottish Natural Heritage?) they would give you some idea of what might grow.

Hope this helps.

[sewer rat]

Hi Nicos
Can assist in your query but need to know how old soakaway is and is it naturally draining (through shattered rock for example) or is entirely man made (filled with rubble) and have there ever been any problems with it filling up or with pipe being choked between the tank and the soakaway.

[Nicos]

Thanks for that!
Will be off to France to check it out mid May.
It's a new septic tank of 5,000l with 3 soakaway pipes ,draining away from the house, but clearly I need to find out more details.
What do you think I should be asking????
As far as I know it's on a limestone rock base, having replaced one which was 20yrs old.
This is the one aspect of the house which is distracting me more than anything else!!!