Septic tank if close to groundwater with your own hands. How to make a septic tank if groundwater is close enough on the site? Septic tank with mechanical cleaning

In the private sector, situations are not uncommon when there is a centralized water supply system, but there is no sewage system. In order to use all the necessary plumbing fixtures without any problems, you need to take care of drainage and wastewater treatment.

The task becomes more difficult if the aquifers are close to the surface. The solution to the problem can be a septic tank for high groundwater - the device is selected based on an assessment of the geological condition of the site and the expected intensity of operation.

A well-maintained private house is a set of plumbing and household appliances that consume water: a toilet, a kitchen sink, a washbasin, a bathtub or a shower, a washing machine. Dishwashers are also often installed.

As a result of the use of all this equipment, a large amount of wastewater is generated.

Image Gallery

Septic tanks are made from a variety of materials - plastic, fiberglass, concrete, metal

If the site has a high level of groundwater, serious difficulties arise: the plastic structure must be protected from ascent, and the concrete must be carefully sealed

At high GWL, instead of the filtration field, an above-soil filter cassette is constructed

The septic tank is secured with straps and anchors to prevent floating during floods or downpours.

plastic septic tank

Installation at high groundwater level

Septic tank with filter cassette

Floating septic tank

To dispose of wastewater, the home owner needs to consider an efficient sewer system. The good old cesspool is not an option, because. even the largest sealed tank will have to be cleaned frequently, and this is a serious cost for sewage services

Waste water should be disposed of, and without harm to the environment, and the best choice is a septic tank that provides biological treatment of contaminants.

The purpose of the septic tank is the accumulation, treatment and disposal of wastewater. This process occurs in stages in several (usually two or three) chambers.

The first tank is designed to collect wastewater from the sewer system. This is where primary treatment takes place: the effluents are stratified, solid particles sink to the bottom, and clarified water with fewer impurities flows into the next chamber.

After cleaning in a septic tank, the water becomes safe for soil and aquifers. If desired, it can be used for technical needs or watering plants.

In the second tank, the process of fermentation of sewage continues. Anaerobic bacteria decompose organic compounds and wastewater continues to be treated. Almost pure water enters the third chamber, the filtration field or the above-ground filter cassette, where the post-treatment takes place.

What problems arise due to high GWL?

If groundwater is close, the septic tank must be absolutely tight, and its installation must be perfectly correct. Otherwise, two types of problems may occur: the structure will float or it will flood. Let's figure out what it threatens.

When installing a septic tank, it is carefully fixed on a concrete pad. If this is not done, during the period of floods or heavy rains, it will rise to the surface of the soil. This will inevitably lead to deformation of the elements of the sewer system, pipe breaks and other troubles. The sewer will fail.

If an insufficiently reliable septic tank is selected or built for the installation of a GWL, sooner or later groundwater will begin to seep into the structure. This will lead to flooding. An overfilled tank will stop working normally. But that's not all.


When installing a septic tank, you should adhere to the distances recommended by regulatory documents. This is necessary for the safety of the environment. Violation of installation technology can threaten people's health (+)

Water may begin to enter the system through the pipeline. This is fraught with pipe breaks, flooding of the foundations of buildings. In some cases, water from a flooded septic tank rises to plumbing fixtures in the home and causes serious damage.

Flowing through the pipes, water carries with it a lot of impurities - from sewage from the septic tank to solid particles (sand, pebbles, garbage). Its chemical composition is extremely aggressive. This can provoke corrosion of metal elements, violation of the integrity of pipe coatings and plumbing equipment, and mechanical damage.

All this leads to the rapid destruction of the septic tank itself and all elements of the sewer system. That is why, with a high GWL, it is impossible to save on materials and installation. The stronger and tighter the design, the longer the period of trouble-free operation.

Sewer drains are cleaned due to a large number of microorganisms. If sewage seeps into the aquifer on which wells and wells are built, this can result in intestinal (at best) diseases for people, diseases of domestic animals.


Groundwater is moving. Even a small amount of pathogenic bacteria is enough to infect all sources of drinking water and soil in the vicinity. This can become a real environmental disaster for the area (+)

High groundwater is not only a risk of accidents, but also a big investment of money, especially if installation errors are made. Depressurization will cause water to seep into the tank, and it will need to be pumped out more often. The cost of sewage services will increase dramatically.

Another nuance: when designing an autonomous sewage system, it is necessary to immediately think over the drainage system on the site, otherwise the area around the septic tank may be swamped.

Determination of the depth of groundwater in the area

The ideal option is to determine the GWL using hydrogeological studies. However, they rarely turn to professionals, because. it is expensive, long and difficult. You can navigate on your own, but an ordinary garden drill or folk signs will help.

Option # 1: garden drill and rod

To determine the GWL, a drill and a rod with a length of 2 m or more are suitable. Marks must be made on the rod for a tape measure. It is not necessary to mark every centimeter, marks at a distance of 5-10 cm are enough.

It is necessary to make a well for the length of the drill. It happens that water appears even during drilling. This means that it is very close to the surface. However, more often you have to wait. The well is left for a day so that water accumulates in it.

The dry rod is lowered to the bottom of the well. Then they take it out and check to what mark it is wet. It remains only to calculate the results. For example, if the length of the drill is 2 m, and 10 cm of the rod is wet, it turns out that the water lies at a depth of 1.9 m.

GWL should be measured during the period when it is highest: in early spring or during the autumn rainy season. This will give you an objective result.

Such measurements are carried out not once, but over several days, each time recording the results. If they do not change, then it is at this depth that water is located. If there is a difference, then you should focus on the smallest results. For example, if a depth of 1.9 m and 1.8 m was obtained on different days, then the correct GWL is 1.8 m.

Option # 2: determined by plants

Vegetation is often an indicator of the close occurrence of water. For example, if willow, alder, meadowsweet, and especially reeds grow on the site, then the soil is moist. You can determine the depth in meters by plants using the table below:


Cultivated plants - currant or sorrel can also be a good indicator. If they grow wildly without additional watering, then the water is close (+)

The slope of maple, birch, willow can indicate exactly where the water comes closest to the surface. It is best to navigate several trees at once.

Option # 3: reservoirs and wells

Often there are small open reservoirs near the site. By the level of the water in them, you can determine how close the aquifer approaches. If there are swamps, this is a sure sign of a high GWL.

Wells dug for perch water can serve as an indicator of the GWL. As a rule, such water sources are equipped for technical needs or watering garden plants. Drinking water is obtained from deeper layers, because. she is cleaner

In determining the depth of groundwater, ordinary communication with neighbors can also help, because. they probably had to determine it in the process of building houses, outbuildings, hydraulic structures, sewers.

Option #4: old fashioned ways

You can determine the GWL using an ordinary clay pot. To do this, they remove the sod from a small plot of land, put a piece of fat-free wool, and a freshly laid egg on top. All this is covered with ceramic dishes and left overnight.

Old-fashioned methods help to find out that the groundwater level is high, but the exact depth can only be determined by drilling

In the morning, it is enough to examine the wool and the egg. If the wool is damp, but there are no signs of condensation on the egg, the GWL is low. If the wool is wet, and there are drops of moisture on the egg, then the water obviously comes very close to the surface.

Option # 5: folk signs

Ordinary observations can also be useful in determining GWL. For example, abundant morning dew and thick evening fog testify to the proximity of water to the ground surface. The closer the aquifer, the more obvious these signs. They can be observed even in extreme heat and drought.

Domestic animals behave differently depending on the depth of the water. For example, cats may choose a place to rest where water is close. And dogs, on the contrary, are looking for the driest place on the site.

With all the disadvantages of a high GWL, there is a big plus. Rodents avoid places with high humidity. This means that mice will attack you less. Ants do the same. The absence of anthills on the site may indicate high soil moisture.

Proper septic tank on a site with a high GWL

In some cases, it makes sense to install a sealed storage tank. This is a kind of analogue of a cesspool. Its peculiarity is that the liquid only accumulates in the container, but is not cleaned.

Cons - the need for frequent maintenance and high cost. On the other hand, if the house is not permanently inhabited, such sewerage will be beneficial and convenient.

Accumulative septic tanks of industrial production are made of high-strength materials. The wall thickness of the tank can reach 10-40 mm. There are large septic tanks.

Their advantages:

  • absolute tightness;
  • safety for the environment;
  • ease of installation;
  • durability.

Some models are equipped with sensors that indicate the degree of filling of the tank.

As drives, you can use plastic, fiberglass containers or build a tank from monolithic concrete. They need to be cleaned about once a month.

In most cases, the drive does not solve the problem, because. For a comfortable life, homeowners need a full-fledged sewerage system. In this case, it makes sense to equip a septic tank with a bulk aeration field. The design must be waterproof. It must be protected from ascent, deformation due to heaving of the soil.

Features of materials for the manufacture of cameras

There are several suitable materials for arranging a septic tank with high groundwater:

  • Reinforced concrete. Volumetric - ideal for a house where a family of 3 or more people lives. The chambers of such a septic tank do not let water through, do not float, cope with the effects of aggressive chemicals and can serve for decades.
  • Plastic(capacity or eurocubes). Not the most reliable material, but it is suitable for self-arranging a septic tank in the country. Pros - tightness, lightness. Cons - the need to equip good protection against ascent, the risk of cracks during heaving of the soil.
  • fiberglass. The material is characterized by high strength, lightness, withstands heavy loads, tolerates exposure to chemicals well. The disadvantage is the same as that of plastic: the septic tank must be anchored during installation.

For the arrangement of a reliable sewerage system, it is best to choose reinforced concrete. The construction of such a septic tank will be quite expensive, but it will be possible to forget about the problem of ascent.

The structure will not burst if a vehicle accidentally hits it, as can happen with a plastic or fiberglass tank. It is extremely durable and repairable.

Protection of the septic tank from the ascent and heaving of the soil

Light plastic septic tanks must be fixed, because. their weight is not enough to withstand the pressure of groundwater. They often pop up. The technology of anchoring the structure itself is simple, the main thing is to strictly adhere to it.

Work order:

  1. The bottom of the pit is leveled. A sand cushion 30 cm thick is poured on top, carefully compacted.
  2. A base is placed on a layer of sand- a reinforced concrete slab according to the size of the structure.
  3. Septic tank mounted on the stove, fastening with special belts or cables.

To protect against heaving of the soil, a dry mixture of sand and cement (5: 1) is used. After installing the septic tank, a gap remains between the body of the structure and the walls of the pit.

It is desirable that it be at least 15 cm. The mixture is poured into this space in layers, pouring water over and compacting each layer.

Instead of a finished plate, you can use a homemade base. To do this, the bottom of the pit is poured with concrete and powerful metal loops are placed for fastenings.

During backfilling, the septic tanks are simultaneously filled with water. Moreover, the water level should coincide with the level of filling the pit. This is necessary to even out the loads and prevent cracks in the plastic structure.

The device of the subsoil filter cassette

If the groundwater is deep, either or is equipped to clean up the wastewater. In this case, the water moves by gravity, there is no need for forced pumping.

If the GWL is high, you need to install an additional waterproof well, pump and filter cassette. Its size is calculated based on the fact that for cleaning 0.5 cubic meters. you need a cassette 1 x 1 m.

To equip the filter cassette, 30-40 cm of soil is removed over the entire surface of the future structure, and the perimeter is fenced with concrete blocks so that they are flush with the ground in height.

This space is covered with crushed stone (fraction from 20 to 40 mm), and a tank without a bottom is placed on top, under which a pipe from a septic tank is brought. The structure is insulated and covered with a layer of soil with a thickness of 30 cm.

TOP 10 best septic tank manufacturers

If groundwater lies close to the surface, you can choose a septic tank of industrial production. It is guaranteed to be airtight, the rest depends on the quality of installation.

Topas septic tanks have only two drawbacks: high cost and volatility. Otherwise, they are perfect: compact, efficient, do not emit any odors.

There are several brands that have proven themselves well in the domestic market:

  1. . These are plastic non-volatile constructions with a case wall thickness of up to 17 mm. They withstand loads well, resistant to temperature extremes. The design is thought out so that the tank does not float under the action of groundwater.
  2. . Under this brand, septic tanks of various sizes and purposes are produced. When installing the model, you need to anchor. If they are mounted correctly, they can last up to half a century.
  3. "Leopard". The manufacturer produces volatile and independent models. These are three-chamber septic tanks with two levels of biological filtration. Designs are reliable, strong, durable.
  4. . These are reliable systems for complex wastewater treatment. The advantages of septic tanks include compactness, strength, high throughput. The disadvantage is volatility and the need for appropriate maintenance.

For the equipment of the sewer system in country houses where it is not possible to connect to a centralized system, it is necessary to install local treatment facilities or a septic tank. The second option is the most profitable from a financial point of view, so many make a choice in its favor. However, during installation, you may encounter one serious problem - the high level of groundwater (GWL). As a result, a logical question arises - how to make a septic tank if groundwater is close?

Installation of a septic tank on the site

Why is it important to consider GWL?

  1. If the water is near the surface of the earth, this means that when deepening the septic tank, special construction methods will be required to ensure the stability of the structure and prevent depressurization of the joints. In winter, another danger arises - freezing of the soil and, as a result, the occurrence of heaving, which can cause deformation of the drive. That is, the effluents will fall into the ground, and then into the water layer and pollute the environment, which is unacceptable.
  2. During the spring flood, reservoirs can flood the nearest territory and the septic tank can float. The result is expected to be the same as in the previous version, only sewage will also pollute the reservoir. It can also break plastic sewer pipes and have to be replaced. In the worst case, the septic tank will remain in the ground, and water will flood it from above, as a result of which sewage will go back into the house in the absence of a check valve installed.
  3. Septic tanks with leaky structures should not be used. This is especially true for the use of cesspools or septic tanks in the form of concrete rings. Firstly, its construction will require financial costs comparable to a hermetic septic tank manufactured in an industrial environment, and secondly, this is contrary to sanitary standards.
  4. Depending on the GWL, it is necessary to apply special constructive measures to ensure maximum protection in order to prevent an environmental catastrophe.

How to accurately determine GWL?

Usually measurements are taken in the spring, when the water rises to the maximum possible height after the snow melts. They take an ordinary garden drill, make a vertical hole in the ground to the surface of the water, and then determine their depth. If the septic tank needs to be installed promptly, then you can use the data of geological exploration, which will reliably show how the water layer passes under the land. Another less informative way is to get the necessary information from the old-timers, but it is not always worth trusting.


preparation of pits for the installation of a septic tank

Is it worth it to make a septic tank yourself?

Despite the apparent simplicity of the design of a septic tank, design work on its calculation, selection of strength and performance characteristics is a task for professionals. However, their cost is several times more expensive than homemade ones. The difference in this case in them will be significant and will be as follows:

  1. The finished design will provide maximum tightness by fitting all parts and using stiffeners that can prevent any loads within the passport specifications. It will be very difficult to evaluate a home-made system, so it is not known how it will behave in a particular situation.
  2. An industrial septic tank is equipped with all the necessary filters, able to cope with specific loads and meet sanitary standards.
  3. Finished septic tanks have not only a high level of protection from external mechanical, but also from internal chemical influences, while ensuring stable operation during the warranty period. A self-made design will not be able to guarantee the absence of leaks into the ground or a sufficient degree of purification when using filtration fields.

Therefore, before deciding whether to choose a septic tank of a finished design or bookmark your own, you need to weigh everything and make the only right decision.


installation of a concrete septic tank

In the absence of the necessary experience, it is worth contacting a specialist who can analyze the soil or existing data and select the design that is most suitable in terms of parameters.

What requirements must a septic tank meet?

  • have complete sealing of the chambers;
  • have protection against ascent;
  • have a high hull strength.

What device should a septic tank have with a high GWL?

The design of the septic tank must be airtight and consist of one container, divided into compartments, or several eurocubes. The system can be either gravity flow or forced injection. The second option should be used only in cases where the installation is carried out on a flooded area and it became necessary to place storage tanks above the level of the house.

A non-return valve must be installed on the inlet pipe to prevent the backflow of wastewater. The pipe for the withdrawal of purified water should be made at such a level that groundwater does not get there. Usually, a special sealed compartment or a separate sealed container is provided for this.

Rules for choosing a septic tank with a high GWL

  1. The volume of the septic tank must be clearly calculated so that at high loads it does not have to constantly remove sewage.
  2. The type of construction is allowed either accumulative or with pumping of purified water and its effective discharge into the ground.
  3. It is desirable to choose the material of the septic tank based on durable plastic and steel with a protective polymer coating. A concrete septic tank at a high level of groundwater is not recommended, since the soil can freeze and there is a high probability of displacement of one ring relative to the second and sewage entering the soil is simply inevitable. An exception may be soils with a dense composition and a minimum level of heaving.
  4. In order to increase the cleaning performance and minimize the amount of sewage removal, it is necessary to organize a multi-stage cleaning system: from mechanical impurities, chemical disinfection and filtration of purified water with discharge into the ground.

trenches for septic system

How to choose a place to install a septic tank?

The installation site must first of all meet sanitary standards:

  1. The distance from the residential building must be at least 5 m.
  2. From sources of drinking water, the distance should be from 50 m, and from open reservoirs - 30 m.

In this case, it is necessary to take into account the location of the buildings so that they are at a convenient distance for servicing the septic tank. Also, do not forget that the sewer pipe should go at an angle. The greater the distance from the sewage discharge points, the greater the depth required based on the condition of a slope of 2-3 degrees per meter of length, while if there is a minimum GWL up to 1 m, this is simply unacceptable.

When creating sealed containers for the removal of wastewater, it will be necessary to organize a convenient vehicle access for pumping them out.

How to properly install a septic tank?

A septic tank for a high groundwater level must not only be installed on a stable base, but also be firmly fixed to prevent its displacement or deformation of the body in weak and moving soils. The base is a compacted sand and gravel cushion, which is poured into a specially prepared trench. The size of the trench is usually selected so that its walls have a gap of at least 30 cm from the walls of the storage tank. This is required to minimize the effect of heaving soil layers.

However, when the GWL is located at a level of up to 1 m, this will not be enough and it will be necessary to additionally pour a concrete monolith or lay a finished reinforced concrete slab, after which it must be waterproofed and insulated. It will serve not only as a base, but also perform the function of fixing in case of insufficient filling of containers, preventing them from surfacing. Failure to use insulating layers can lead to cracking of concrete and loss of strength. Sometimes drainage pipes are installed at the bottom to drain water from the trench.


covering the finished septic tank after fixing with concrete

The supply pipes will also require the laying of a sand and gravel layer in order to prevent damage to it in case of possible swelling. After that, it is necessary to install a septic tank and fix it on anchor straps to a concrete base, as well as perform its waterproofing. Pipes are connected, and then a sand-gravel composition with the addition of dry cement is poured on the sides of the tank. The dimensions of the crushed stone should be up to 5 mm.

At the final stage, pipes for sewer ventilation are installed and the septic tank is covered with earth. Simultaneously with backfilling, fill the container with water by about 1/3 of its volume. The height of the ventilation pipe must be more than 60 cm above ground level.

What to do if water enters when digging a trench?

It should be noted that if there is water in the trench, installation work is strictly prohibited. Therefore, it is worth choosing one of the options for solving this problem, which are given below:

  1. Use a drain pump to pump out the accumulated water.
  2. Perform work during the winter. However, as a basis, use not pouring concrete mortar, but ready-made reinforced concrete slabs.
  3. Use the method of ground installation of a septic tank with forced injection of sewage.
  4. To make a sealed monolithic frame in the form of a box according to the size of the trench.

How to implement a soil water purification system?

Since the water level can change dramatically depending on the season, seepage field systems are not always possible to implement. Therefore, special filter cassettes are used, which are placed directly on the surface of the earth or on hills. To do this, remove a layer of soil to a depth of 30 cm and 25 cm larger on each side. A sand cushion 30 cm high is poured at the bottom with tamping and leveling.

After that, concrete blocks are placed around the perimeter, which are fixed in such a way that they are airtight. Crushed stone with small fractions is poured into the resulting box, on which the cassette will be directly installed. Then pipes for water supply are brought in, connected to the cassette and the box is closed with a concrete slab with a ventilation hole. A ventilation pipe should usually be installed in the hole so that the smell goes up under the action of the draft, and does not accumulate in the yard. The finished structure is covered with earth and decorated using various landscape design techniques.

If the soil in winter freezes to a depth greater than the height of the earthen layer of the embankment, then the cassette in the upper part should be insulated with foam boards or expanded clay, while it must be completely waterproofed.

The close occurrence of groundwater is a factor that greatly complicates the installation of a septic tank on the territory of private country estates. Therefore, when planning the construction of engineering communications for a summer house or a house, it is necessary to take into account the "situation" on the ground. Ground water at the level of up to a meter is definitely a problem. A septic tank for high groundwater must be equipped in accordance with all the rules - otherwise the operation of the structure will be a complete headache.

How to determine the level of groundwater?

It is recommended to measure the groundwater level in spring, when the snow melts, or in autumn after prolonged rains. The distance between the surface of the earth and the “water surface” in the well, “feeding” on groundwater, is subject to measurement. No well? You can also determine the level of groundwater by drilling the soil with a garden drill in several places (for objectivity of observations). Well, the easiest method is to just talk to your neighbors and find out from them how things are in the area.

A high level of groundwater can be a problem when arranging a septic tank - but knowing the rules for carrying out work, many typical mistakes are easy to avoid

The problem of high GWL is typical for almost the entire territory of central Russia. Ground flows can occur even at a depth of 20-30 cm.

What is the insidiousness of the swampy area?

When arranging and during the operation of an autonomous sewage system in a site with a high level of groundwater, each homeowner may encounter such problems:

  1. The complexity of installation. What sweet speeches you would not have heard from sellers of different types of structures, do not believe it - it will take a lot of time and effort to install a septic tank. However, having worked "at full capacity", there will be no doubt that the sewage system with a septic tank will serve you faithfully, perhaps even for more than a dozen years.
  2. The emergence of a septic tank. If the septic tank is not installed on a concrete pad and secured with straps, nylon ropes or cables, there is a high probability that groundwater flows will provoke the septic tank to rise. As a result, the integrity of the structure of not only the septic tank itself, but also the entire sewer pipeline, has been violated.
  3. In a leaky septic tank, made, for example, of concrete rings, water will constantly leak. And this means that you will have to resort to the services of a sewage machine very often. Needless to say, it is very expensive?
  4. Complete flooding of the septic tank. The systematic flow of liquid into the septic tank will quickly render the structure unusable.
  5. Sewage seeping into the soil can become a source of groundwater pollution. Where it leads? It will take quite a bit of time and the water from the well will become unusable. Ponds adjacent to the site are at risk of blooming. There will be a local ecological catastrophe.

A septic tank installed on a site with a high level of groundwater must be completely sealed - otherwise you risk both your health and the contents of your wallet

Basic device rules for high GWL

The septic tank, if groundwater is close, must be completely sealed in order to prevent seepage of runoff into the soil. Structures, bricks and other prefabricated elements are not able to provide proper tightness - therefore, such options should disappear even at the stage of theoretical reflections on the sewage system. Ideally, it is desirable to resort to installing a septic tank of industrial production. On the market there is a wide range of these devices with different volumes. It is worth knowing that the volume of the septic tank should be equal to the three-day volume of water consumption by people living in the house.

Having studied, you will see that today you can easily purchase both a compact design for a small cottage and a multi-chamber installation designed for a modern cottage.

A three-chamber factory septic tank is a plastic container divided into chambers. The first chamber is a place for settling and dividing wastewater into fractions. The second and third are intended for post-treatment of wastewater. Instead of filtering wells, infiltrators are used in such structures - they provide rapid absorption into the soil of 94-98% of purified water. The main disadvantage of infiltrators is their large area. The industrial septic tank itself is, of course, quite expensive. However, such an investment is by no means an excess or a whim. A high-quality septic tank with high groundwater is a vital necessity.

With limited funds, you can build a septic tank yourself - from suitable plastic containers, for example, and design. Between themselves, the containers must be connected with special pipes for the flow of wastewater.

If industrial solutions do not suit you for one reason or another, you can always build a septic tank with your own hands

When equipping a septic tank in an area with a high GWL, it is necessary to provide a reinforced concrete pillow under the structure. By attaching the structure to such a base, it will be possible not to worry that it will be pushed out of the soil.

Also a good option for installing a septic tank with a high level of groundwater is the installation. Due to the absence of seams, the penetration of effluents into the ground will be impossible. The order of work will be as follows:

  • digging a pit;
  • formwork installation;
  • fittings installation;
  • pouring concrete.

It is advisable to pre-flavor the concrete mixture with a hydrophobic additive - this will improve the waterproofing properties of the future structure. Overflow holes must be provided in the partitions between the chambers. Inside, the finished chambers must be treated with coating waterproofing. If desired, such a septic tank can be built independently, without the involvement of specialists. It is enough to plan your work correctly and take into account all the nuances.

What other solutions are there to the problem?

If you have a small dacha that you visit two or three times a month, then the easiest and most cost-effective option for you would be to install a storage tank. It is desirable that it be made of fiberglass by machine winding. How would such a design work in practice? Drainage from housing will gradually accumulate in a sealed container, and then “extracted” by a sewage machine. For rare visits, a three-cube storage tank is more than enough for a whole season.

One of the most important components of the competent use of a septic tank is its high-quality, timely, professional cleaning - therefore, the services of a sewage machine should never be neglected!

As you can see, you can arrange a septic tank with a high GWL in many different ways. It is impossible to say which of them will be optimal for you in absentia. It all depends on your financial capabilities, the type of housing (permanent or temporary), the specific conditions of the area. After consulting with a competent specialist, we are sure that you will be able to make the right decision.

At the moment, the question is very relevant, how to make a sewer in a private country house, preferably by doing it yourself? Groundwater is located very close to the surface throughout central Russia, with the exception of rare sandy areas and hills. Clay, not very fertile soil, soaked through with water, promising high yields of cranberries, cloudberries and honey mushrooms.

Moreover, surface waters are prone to freezing. The depth of soil freezing in winter can reach 2 meters. Due to the danger of pipe rupture, many in the private sector of housing construction still use cesspools.

What is a sewer?

The sewer system in a private house should have a closed structure. The tasks of sewerage in a private house are to collect and transport waste to the collector, followed by filtration and disposal.

When questions arise about how to properly sewer, the main problems arise in solving the problems of delivering waste to the collector, treating wastewater and removing treated effluent to aeration fields or to the drainage system.

How to remove excess groundwater

What is the danger of high groundwater and why is this groundwater so high in our area?

High standing water erodes foundations, spoils the root systems of trees, and laying pipelines in water-filled soil is also a very dubious pleasure. Loams saturated with water are easily displaced, which leads to damage to the laid pipes.

The structure of the soil on the plains includes significant deposits of horizontal layers of clay deposits that do not allow groundwater to freely seep deep into the soil, as happens on sandy soil. The abundance of rainfall also contributes to the accumulation of water between clay layers.

How does dehumidification work?

Drainage ditches break up the clay beds and allow water to seep into the depths.

If the task of reclamation and drainage of swamps is set, complex measures are taken over a vast territory. Special equipment and the ability to work on several dozen hectares at the same time are needed.

It is the digging of a whole network of deep drainage ditches that force surface waters to go deeper underground. Clearings are cut in the forests, reservoirs and channels are dug in the swamps for the outflow of water.

The groundwater level can be lowered by digging deep pits, canals and settling ponds.

In a private house, especially with your own hands, it is almost impossible to master such a volume of work.

How to heat pipes with a shallow run?

If there is a risk of ground freezing, a heating electric cable is used. In this case, it is impossible to dig deep trenches for laying sewer pipes below the freezing level, they are instantly filled with water. It is almost impossible to arrange waterproofing with your own hands, which could protect the pipes, it would require continuous concreting.

Using a thermal cord

If the groundwater is too high and threatens to blow pipes and sewage tanks when it freezes, a heating cord is used, which can be wound around the pipes with your own hands. A heating cable in a private house is a rather expensive solution both in terms of installation and, especially, in operation. Paying for heating pipes with electricity is wasteful.

On the other hand, if, as an alternative, you have to break up frozen mountains of fecal matter with your own hands, it is better to pay the electricity bill. Or put an autonomous windmill to provide electricity to the most necessary systems. When setting up the main systems in a private house, one should strive for the highest possible level of autonomy.

What is the function of the thermal cord?

Prevents freezing of pipes and plumbing units, for some systems self-regulation of the temperature of the heating wire is possible. The cord is not afraid of moisture and is able to ensure uninterrupted operation for at least 3-5 years. A photo of the installation diagram and the arrangement of winding loops for plumbing units can be found on specialized sites.

The dangers that arise when using a thermal cord are the following: burnout, mechanical damage, failure of the control system.

During power outages, the prospect of being left without sewerage is not very inspiring. A backup generator is needed to power life support systems if the centralized power supply is interrupted.

Why are cesspools still popular?

How to make a sewer in the house if the use of a heating cord is not advisable? In order to prevent the pipes from freezing, it is logical to arrange a system the old fashioned way that does not require the delivery of waste, that is, a cesspool device directly under the plumbing unit. This is the cheapest and easiest method available for DIY installation.

If the installation of a cesspool in a private house does not seem attractive to you, and the prospect of pumping out fecal masses with your own hands looks especially unpleasant, you should pay attention to ready-made autonomous waste processing systems.

What are AK systems?

There are many devices on the market that differ in cost and stages of cleaning. In most cases, do-it-yourself installation is not a problem.

How is cleaning done?

Despite the many "secret components" and other advertising tricks, the main element of an autonomous sewage system is a compressor that saturates the fecal matter with oxygen. Theoretically, it is possible to install an autonomous sewage system on your own. It is enough to adapt a large and durable plastic container, build in a waste chopper, a compressor and arrange a drainage pump at the outlet.

Nothing stresses a site owner more than a wastewater treatment problem. In fact, there is no electricity - I bought a gas generator and there is no problem. There is no clean water in the well - I took a bucket, went to a neighbor, drilled a well, installed filters - no problem! And only in the fight against wastewater you are one on one. One toilet for two with a neighbor - where did you see this?

"Looking for" problems

To make the right decision on the construction of sewers with high groundwater, it is necessary to study the problem from all sides.

  1. What is the danger?
  • Errors during construction are fraught with spills of feces, not only during the spring flood, but also in the event of a volley of discharges of wastewater (bath day, anniversary, etc.).
  • Wastewater slowly but surely pollutes the soil and water intakes. No wells and filtration fields solve the problem.
  • Smell. He will always be. More or less, depending on weather conditions (atmospheric pressure, air temperature).
  1. The question is material. It always makes sense to count money (your own!). There are two options: the first is to spend a large amount at a time. Install a bioseptic tank, use LSU pipes for external sewerage, connect high-quality plumbing and then live with virtually no hassle. The second is to spend a little, but constantly. In addition, the final cost of sewerage with high groundwater is affected by the opportunity to save money by doing some of the work yourself.

Cleaning method (septic tank design). There are few trustworthy options here.

Expensive, but the most effective - bioseptic. The degree of purification is 98%, the effluents are completely safe.

The efficiency of a mechanical septic tank depends on the number of wells. Are you ready to make three sections? But even in this case, the final result depends on the characteristics of the soil.

A sealed storage tank is environmentally friendly, but it must be pumped out regularly.

Conclusion: sewerage with a high level of groundwater, first of all, must be airtight. And only then we choose a method of purification or removal of polluted waters.

How to make a sewer in a private house if groundwater is close? Let's start with the simplest.

The capacity can be any: a hole in the ground, a barrel, concrete rings, eurocubes. But we will proceed from the fact that it is necessary to make not just a drain pit, but at least a country sewerage system with a high level of groundwater. That is, it should be of such volume that it does not overflow under any circumstances. It is necessary to ensure the access of the car at any time of the year and provide for its call in case of emergency.

The storage tank with a high level of groundwater must be airtight. Otherwise, it begins to fill not only with sewage, but also with groundwater.

It should be noted that the frequent call of the car gradually begins to strain. The cost of pumping out does not become cheaper, and you begin to understand that storage capacity is not the best option: it is cheap to build, but expensive to maintain.

Mechanical septic tank

The mechanical septic tank is not in vain widely used: it has a good price-performance ratio. Its design is such that the degree of purification can be "adjusted" by adding additional wells. One - on soils with high throughput, two or three - with a high level of groundwater.

A prerequisite for the design of a septic tank when installing a sewer at a high level of groundwater is the tightness of storage wells. Hence the responsible approach to the choice of materials.

The most common choice is a septic tank made of concrete rings. But in our case, it is necessary to choose rings with a lock and carefully seal the joints. Otherwise, groundwater will enter the septic tank.

A more reliable option is to cast a septic tank on site. A detachable formwork is made from iron sheets or rented. Usually she "walks" through the hands in the region, you just need to ask those who dig wells. Formwork (external and internal) is installed in place of the septic tank, reinforcement is laid inside and concrete is poured. After 5-6 days, the formwork is removed and the soil inside the ring begins to be selected. When the ring is lowered to ground level, the formwork is re-installed, concrete is poured and the process is repeated until the well reaches the desired volume. The advantages of this method include 100% tightness and the ability to do it slowly with your own hands without the involvement of technology. You can also choose your own sizes. The well is non-separable, it will not be possible to move it to another place (like rings).

Recently, plastic has been increasingly used for septic tanks. This may be a special factory-made tank, structurally designed for autonomous sewage at a high level of groundwater. Or maybe a container adapted by craftsmen for these needs.

In the first case, the installation is carried out by the manufacturer or the buyer (according to the instructions), in the second, everything is done differently each time, without guarantees of compliance with sanitary standards. The cost is different, but who's to say which is better?

100% cleaning

Well, even if not by 100, but by 98%, according to the supplier firms, but the water after the bioseptic tank can be drained into a pond with fish. This speaks eloquently about the degree of purification. There are many bioseptics: they differ in volumes, shapes, there are design differences. But the principle of operation is the same: certain types of bacteria are used to decompose organic matter. Septic tanks need electricity to operate - the operation of the compressor and the movement of fluid from section to section.

An important feature of the bioseptic is that bacteria constantly need “nutrition”. Therefore, they are placed only in houses with permanent residence.

The external dimensions of bioseptic tanks depend on performance, but they are relatively small and light in weight. Install and connect any of them, even if the groundwater is close to the surface, it is quite within the power of each owner.

Installation of sewerage in difficult conditions

Laying sewerage in groundwater is associated with some risks: in winter, the water freezes and squeezes everything it can to the surface. To prevent this from happening with a septic tank and pipes, several conditions must be met.

It is recommended to dig a trench and a pit for a septic tank below the freezing level. Septic tanks, especially lightweight plastic ones, are installed on a concrete anchor slab and attached to it.
A freshly filled trench and pit is always filled with groundwater - it has a lower density. Therefore, a sand and gravel cushion is arranged under the pipes and septic tank. Replacing the soil with non-porous soil compensates for the pressure of freezing water.

If necessary, sewer pipes and a septic tank are insulated, pipes are laid in special trays, and a heating cable is connected.

Autonomous sewerage at a high level of groundwater is carried out only with high-quality materials in compliance with all standards.

Loading...Loading...