The Difference Between Cesspools, Septic Systems and Tight Tanks

All are designed to receive and hold sewage, but what happens afterward is what differentiates these 3 receptacles. A cesspool is a pit lined with cement or stone and sometimes has an outlet pipe connected to another pit. With a septic tank, the wastewater flows to a leach field where it undergoes a filtration process. A tight tank is just an enclosed tank with no outlet. Cesspools and tight tanks lack the ability to filter waste, and the sewage eventually contaminates the surrounding soil. For this reason, cesspools and tight tanks are outdated and illegal in some areas. If you live in an older home with one of these, there are likely regulations mandating it be pumped and cleaned out on a regular basis.

Experienced Techs Required
If you are building a new home, your only likely wastewater choices are a septic system or the city sewer system. This would be based on whether your property can connect to the public sewer system, and many rural areas cannot. If you currently use a cesspool or tight tank, do not be surprised if town regulations require you to replace it with a septic system. In the meantime, make sure you are doing your part to sustain the integrity of the environment by properly maintaining your cesspool or tight tank. Since these aren’t as common, newer service providers may not know how to clean them properly. However, Kaiser-Battistone’s technicians have experience with every type of wastewater receptacle. To learn more or to schedule maintenance, Contact Us or Request Service Now.