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Septic Tank poor performance

Hi,

We have been assessing the performance of a septic for a village in Java, Indonesia. The tank, which serves about 75 houses with on average of 4 people per household, comprises a tank with approximate dimensions 2 x 9m followed by a leachate field with dimensions 3 x 9m. The tank is immediately adjacent to a small river and there is a constant discharge of clear foul smelling liquid into the river. We are unclear on how the discharge pipe is connected to the system, whether it is connected to the tank or is from a separate surface water system. We were unable to see inside the tank, but we have been told its not been emptied in 6 years.

We are looking for some advice on what could be potentially wrong with the system so we can advise the village leaders on their next steps. The discharge does not directly impact their community but they are are keen to protect the environment and promote themselves as an eco-village.

We think the problem might be one, or a combination, of the below: - the septic tank is full of sludge - the pipes in the leachate field are blocked - the tanks and the leachate field are undersized - the ground conditions are unsuitable for the infiltration from the leachate field.

We have initially advised that the villagers that they should at the very least get the tank emptied.

Does anyone else have any thoughts or experience to draw on similar situations?

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RedR CCDRR

Septic Tank poor performance

Hi,

We have been assessing the performance of a septic for a village in Java, Indonesia. The tank, which serves about 75 houses with on average of 4 people per household, comprises a tank with approximate dimensions 2 x 9m followed by a leachate field with dimensions 3 x 9m. The tank is immediately adjacent to a small river and there is a constant discharge of clear foul smelling liquid into the river. We are unclear on how the discharge pipe is connected to the system, whether it is connected to the tank or is from a separate surface water system. We were unable to see inside the tank, but we have been told its not been emptied in 6 years.

We are looking for some advice on what could be potentially wrong with the system so we can advise the village leaders on their next steps. The discharge does not directly impact their community but they are are keen to protect the environment and promote themselves as an eco-village.

We think the problem might be one, or a combination, of the below: - the septic tank is full of sludge - the pipes in the leachate field are blocked - the tanks and the leachate field are undersized - the ground conditions are unsuitable for the infiltration from the leachate field.

We have initially advised that the villagers that they should at the very least get the tank emptied.

Does anyone else have any thoughts or experience to draw on similar situations?