Septic tank made of concrete rings: device, schemes + step-by-step installation process

A solid septic tank made of concrete rings allows you to organize wastewater treatment up to 70%, but the percentage of treatment in it is lower than in high-tech biological stations (98%). Although such a system is several times cheaper, and its device is simpler. Why not use it to equip the sewage system in the country, right?

Do you want to build a septic tank on your own and do not know where to start? We will help to thoroughly understand all the subtleties of this issue. The article discusses in detail the structure of a concrete storage device, detailed schemes of its construction. As well as a step-by-step installation process, starting with the preparation of materials and ending with the launch of the system into operation.

The article is supplemented by visual photos and videos in which the nuances of the functioning of the septic tank and the process of constructing a two-chamber treatment plant are analyzed.

How to place a septic tank on a site?

Concrete rings are a good material for the manufacture of sewers in private households. If the territory does not belong to nature protection zones, then you can save on sewage, since the cost of such a septic tank is half the price of buying a treatment plant.

Before starting work, it is necessary to determine the type of soil on the site. The choice of a filtration system depends on its characteristics, since the design of a septic tank made of concrete rings involves several containers. According to sanitary standards, water should be subjected to three-day or more sedimentation before it is discharged into the ground.

The type of soil can be determined by digging a pit, interviewing neighbors who own a well or well, requesting information from the organization conducting the construction or drilling near the site.

Slightly higher loam filtration coefficient, slightly higher for sandy loam. However, their filtration properties are still not enough for the device on the above clay soils soil treatment systems.

In addition, almost all clay soils are characterized by heaving - the ability to increase in size during freezing and decrease during thawing. These soil shifts can easily push concrete tanks out, completely destroy them or simply squeeze them until cracks appear.

If the site is located in a hilly area, with a high degree of probability it has rocky soil. In this case, you need to make a choice in favor of ground purification stations or storage tanks

Sand, gravel, pebble and gravel sedimentary rocks have good absorbing properties. They freely pass water into their thickness, do not impede its movement into the underlying layers.

True, coarse deposits, such as gravel and gravel, occur mainly in the floodplains of the rivers, and gravel is at the foot of rock formations.

Clay throughput is almost zero. This type of soil is classified as water-resistant - water-repellent rocks that do not absorb and do not pass water through their thickness.

On river and mountain slopes, filtering facilities are not suitable, because part of the drainage fluid will not be able to go through a post-treatment cycle sufficient for disposal into the soil.

Therefore, normal conditions for arranging filtration fields, absorption wells and installing infiltrators are considered to be sandy soils of all degrees of coarseness and density, except for dusty ones.

In addition to geological conditions, it is necessary to observe the norms of its location from residential buildings and water sources.

This information is prescribed in sanitary standards and must be respected. It is worth avoiding the location of the septic tank close to the place where the trees grow, as their root system can harm the structure

If sanitary standards are neglected, biological water pollution can occur. Dangerous pathogens of infectious diseases develop in sewer drains. These include E. coli, which causes severe poisoning.It easily reaches the source of drinking water through groundwater.

The nuances of calculating the required capacity

To organize a septic tank from concrete rings it is necessary to calculate the volume based on daily water consumption. According to the norms, 200 cubic liters of water per day is necessary for one permanently resident person.

The first tank for sedimentation should have a volume of three times the size of consumption (200 l) per person. The second tank with a bottom for settling should have a volume equal to 1/3 of the size of the first.

The rules for the construction of a two-chamber treatment plant can be found in our other article.

The number of rings can be determined by dividing the volume of the tank by the volume of the ring. Their size is small, medium and large.

For calculation, the parameters of the medium-sized ring will be used. KS-10-9 whose inner diameter is 1 m and height is 90. One ring has a volume of 700 cubic liters

For a family of two:

The volume of the first tank = (200 * 2) * 3 = 1,200 liters.
Volume of the second and third capacity = 1,200 / 3 = 400 liters.

The number of rings for two containers = (1200 + 400) / 700 = 4
The number of rings for three containers = (1200 + 400 + 400) / 700 = 5

Result: 2 rings for a settling tank, 2 for a sedimentation tank and one for a drainage well.

For a family of three:

The volume of the first tank = (200 * 3) * 3 = 1,800 liters.
Volume of the second and third capacity = 1,800 / 3 = 600 liters.

The number of rings for two containers = (1 800 + 600) / 700 = 4
The number of rings for three containers = (1 800 + 1200) / 700 = 6

Result: 2 rings for a sump, 2 for a sedimentation tank and two for a drainage well.

Schemes of septic systems

Schemes of septic tanks made of concrete rings suggest the presence of one, two or three chambers, where the sediment is sedimented and their biological processing takes place.

A single chamber septic tank provides three-day sedimentation. It requires pumping out excess sludge every 3-6 months. The quality of cleaning does not exceed 50%

In fact, a single-chamber septic tank is a conventional storage device, the drains from which are pumped out by sewers.

A two-chamber septic tank provides 5-6 daily sedimentation of wastewater. The cleaning level is 70%. Pump out excess sludge every 12 months

The first and second containers must have a bottom. This is followed by the third compartment, where soil cleaning is also carried out. The next stage of purification is the removal of sediment in the cells and clarified wastewater into the soil through the bottom filter well.

Three-chamber septic tank provides 7-9 daily sedimentation of effluents. The cleaning level is 80%. Pump out excess sludge every 2 years

All cameras are arranged with a monolithic bottom, cleaning is done by settling. The settled liquid is discharged into the infiltrator or filtration field for subsequent disposal into the soil.

Depending on the absorption capacity of the soil, you can choose several filtration options for the septic tank from concrete rings:

1. Septic system with filter field.
2. Septic system with an absorbing well.
3. Septic system with filter cartridge (infiltrator).

The most common filtration option is a drainage well. It is used with good absorption properties of the soil.

To increase productivity, its lower ring is perforated. This increases the filtration area. If the groundwater level is less than three meters, this option must be discarded.

Between the level of the conditional bottom of the absorption well and the highest level of ground water in the autumn / spring rainy season there is no meter required by the standards, a filtration field is set. For its construction on the site should be enough space.

When installing it, perforated pipes or tunnels are used. For a uniform distribution of effluent between the septic tank and the filtration field, a distribution well is installed.

This is the best solution for sites where the groundwater level does not exceed 2.5 meters. It should be remembered that between the lower edge of the drain of the filtration field and the roof of the water-saturated formation, there should also be a thickness of soil with a thickness of at least a meter.

The filter cartridge is an analog of the filter field, but it is more expensive. This is the average between the filter well and the aeration pipe system. It consists of a rectangular concrete tank, with several partitions inside. The top is covered with concrete slabs.

This design is not widespread in the CIS countries.

You need to decide on a filtration system before mounting a septic tank made of concrete rings, since this will allow you to prepare in advance the foundation pit of the required size and depth.

If filter systems are installed after installation is completed, pipes and tanks can be damaged. Therefore, the space that borders the wall of the second deposition tank will have to be dug manually without the use of special equipment.

Installation of a septic tank with two sedimentation tanks

Before starting work, it is necessary to check the groundwater level. This can be done if the house has a cellar or basement, without a concrete bottom. It is necessary to measure the height from the ceiling to the surface layer of soil. This is the depth to which you can dig.

To find out how deep the groundwater lies, you can dig a small in diameter but deep hole. Groundwater begins when a clearly damp earth appears. This is a sure sign, no further digging is necessary.

The depth of occurrence of groundwater can be determined by the appearance of the soil extracted from the pit. If it is saturated with water, then the depth of its extraction can be taken as a self-determined GWP

After the approximate level of water fishing has become known, you can begin excavation work. It is necessary to outline the place where the septic tank will be located. To do this, you need to outline the pits. To do this, you need to take a construction thread or any strong thread, measure 80 cm. Tie two pegs to both ends.

Stick one end in the middle of the place where you plan to place the first sedimentation tank. Draw a circle. This is the approximate diameter of the desired pit. Next, you need to step back a meter, and draw the boundaries for the second tank. Next, you need to outline the boundaries of the filtration structure.

The boundaries of the pit should be surrounded by pegs around the perimeter, between which to pull the thread. It’s easier to navigate when digging

Step # 1 - selecting supplies and tools

Before you begin, you need to collect all the necessary materials and tools.

For work you will need:

• puncher and large drill bit for concrete;
• mixer tip to the punch;
• shovel and bayonet shovels;
• stairs;
• level:
• buckets;
• container for kneading the solution;
• strong nylon rope;
• hose;

Materials for mounting a septic tank made of concrete rings:

• cement;
• sand;
• gravel;
• bitumen or liquid glass;
• metal staples;
• mineral wool or expanded polystyrene;

After the equipment for all stages of work will be selected and prepared, you can start digging a hole.

Step # 2 - digging a foundation pit for a septic tank

If you think that it is difficult to excavate in such volumes manually, you can therefore use the services of organizations equipped with special equipment.

Together with the digging of the pit, it is necessary to order the removal of excess soil, since the deep layers are, as a rule, loam, and are not suitable for use in garden areas.

At the bottom of the pit, sand must be poured where the lower rings of the tanks will be installed. The thickness of the sand cushion is 20-25 cm. The base must be leveled. Next, sand must be shed with water so that shrinkage occurs. After pressing the sand base, you can break to the installation of rings.

Step # 3 - installation of sedimentation tanks

To install the concrete rings pre-delivered to the site for the septic tank, you need to build a base. To do this, a wooden formwork is arranged along the perimeter of the bottom of the pit. The height of the walls of the formwork should be at the level of 30-40 cm.

After the construction of the formwork, it is necessary to lay the reinforcing mesh and dilute the cement mortar. To do this, you need to take 1 part of cement to three parts of ASG (a mixture of sand and gravel).

You can mix the solution with a construction mixer. As a plasticizer, you can add two tablespoons of liquid soap to the solution. This will make the concrete more resistant to pressure and moisture.

After pouring the base, you need to wait 10 to 14 days until the solution hardens and gains the necessary strength. Formwork can not be removed. If rented equipment is used, it is advisable to purchase ready-made concrete slabs as a base.

After the base is ready, you can mount the rings. The weight of concrete structures is impressive, so you need to use a crane. Installation of containers is carried out in stages.

The first ring is immersed on the concrete base. Following it, the second falls and sets. The ring must be moved smoothly, avoiding bumps or slipping. After installation, bracing is done.

Holes are made in both rings at the edges, iron brackets are inserted into them, which are bent from the outside of the containers

In the next step, until the cover is lowered, it is necessary to cover the seams between the rings.After installing the overlap in the tank, it will become dark and there is a risk of leaving unprocessed joints. For this, cement mortar is used.

You may also be interested in information on the waterproofing of a septic tank made of concrete rings, in detail parsed here.

For convenience of movement inside the tank running brackets are mounted. They are necessary for servicing the septic tank in case of blockages or depressurization.

The adjacent deposition tank is installed in the same manner. In both tanks, you need to make holes for sewer pipes and mount them. The inlet for sewage should be higher than the overflow pipe between the tanks.

Next, you need to install the overlap with holes sufficient so that a person can go down through them.

On top of the floors you need to install one concrete ring of small diameter. Thus, a small chamber is obtained that will isolate the container from cold air

This completes the installation of a septic tank made of concrete rings, and the installation of a ventilation system follows.

Step # 4 - installing the ventilation system

Ventilation is necessary for air to enter the system, which ensures the normal functioning of microorganisms. They process domestic waste water and exempt from the organic component. To ensure a constant circulation of air flow, two ventilation pipes are required.

The first pipe is mounted in a section of the sewer pipe, which is as close as possible to the walls of a residential building. Mounting from the inside of the wall is the best solution, but can also be mounted externally.

In this case, it is necessary to lay an electric cable to warm the pipe, since in the collision of warm and cold air, condensate forms in it, which blocks the access of oxygen.

It must be fixed with fasteners or clamps. The length of the vertical background riser should be at least the height of the wall of the house.

Ventilation also eliminates the unpleasant odor that periodically appears from containers and can spread throughout the house. Often this occurs with a prolonged absence of living and drying of the liquid in the siphon.

The second pipe is mounted in the overlap of the deposition tank. To do this, using a puncher in the ceiling, a hole is punched that matches the diameter of the ventilation pipe.

The duct should rise above the earth's surface by 70-100 cm. The position of this pipe will be fixed by the gravity of the soil and does not need additional fastening.

Another way to solve a bad odor problem is to install check valve for sewage, which is installed at the point of withdrawal of the sewer system from the house.

Step # 5 - installation of the filtration system

Next, we consider step-by-step instructions for arranging the aeration field and the filter well.

Option # 1 - arrangement of the filtering field

From the second concrete tank, the pipe exits into the distribution well. For the well, you can use a plastic barrel in which to cut holes suitable for aeration pipes.

You can purchase a ready-made distribution well.

It is produced by many companies that manufacture cleaning systems. You can buy a ready-made aeration field to the distribution well or make it yourself from sewer pipes

To do this, you need to purchase pipes based on the field size. For a family of four, an area of ​​20 square meters (10 × 2) is sufficient. For this, you will need three pipes 10 m long. In addition, you will need three corner pipes where the ventilation pipes will be mounted.

The field is pre-covered with sand and gravel in order to improve the absorption capacity of the soil.

Perforated pipes connected to the distribution well are laid on the prepared drainage.At the ends of the aeration pipes, corner pipes are mounted into which the background riser is installed, one for each pipe.

After this, the pipes are closed with geotextile and filled with a mixture of gravel with sand, then leveled. As siltation, the filtration field must be moved or cleaned, changing the drainage.

Option # 2 - installation of a filter well

The filter well has several advantages over the aeration field. It takes up less usable area on the site.

But the quality of the treated water will be higher at the aeration field, since before entering the groundwater, the effluents will be filtered by soil, and its layer under the aeration field is much larger than that of a well with drainage. The area of ​​the well cannot cope with the amount of effluent that the aeration site receives.

The filtration well must be located at a distance of at least 2 meters from the settling tank. This is necessary in order to exclude soil movement and foundation deformation in the event of emergency leaks and flooding

To install a well is based on the same principles as sedimentation tanks, excluding concreting of the bottom of the tank. In addition to the sand cushion, crushed stone, gravel, or other filtering composition should be placed at the bottom of the well. The standard capacity of the soil filter in the absorption well is calculated from 1 m or more.

To increase its throughput, it is possible to supplement the filtration well with lateral drainage. For its arrangement, the bottom concrete ring of the septic tank must be perforated.

You can find models of rings that already contain holes, but it is difficult to find them. Therefore, it is more advisable to make holes yourself using a punch

This process is best done on the surface until the ring is lowered into the pit. You also need to make a hole for overflowing water from the deposition tank, it should be located slightly lower than the previous overflow.

The walls and joints of the filtering well must be stapled, but there is no need to seal them. By connecting overflows, you can dig in the structure. The first ring must be sprinkled with rubble from the outside, to the junction with the second segment. The rest of the volume can be covered with soil from the infield.

Step # 6 - preparation for launch

If the temperature in winter drops below 30 degrees, it is necessary to prepare insulation for indoor manhole covers. Since the container itself is located below the freezing level, it does not need additional insulation.

To insulate the lid, you need to take polystyrene and cut a circle suitable for the diameter of the inner small concrete ring.

The foam is practically not degradable and will last for many years. To make it convenient to remove it to check the septic tank, you can make a hole in the middle where you put a nylon rope. From the back of the foam, the rope must be tied to a short and narrow board, and leave the other end

Next, you need to cut out the lid itself. For this, ordinary plywood of sufficient strength is suitable. You can screw the door handle to it in order to conveniently open it. Similarly, it is worth insulating the inner covers of the second deposition tank and drainage well.

Before using the septic tank, the first sedimentation tank must be filled with water 1⁄4 of its volume. Into a filled container add biological product, which will help the septic tank reach full capacity faster.

After these steps, you must close the hatches.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The video shows the installation process of a two-chamber septic tank in stages:

How the septic system functions:

If the construction of the septic system of concrete rings is carried out in compliance with the rules, it will last for 20 years.

We must not forget about the rules of operation and timely service. The pipes are made of plastic, so they are easy to damage.It is strictly forbidden to place equipment or a car in the place where the tanks are located.

Are you building a septic tank on your site? Do you have any questions during the process? Ask them in the comments to this article - we will try to help you in finding the right solution in this situation.