Cesspool Pumping and Design

A Cesspool System - What Is It?

A pit in which brick, concrete or cement block walls are strategically placed, to enable the flow of wastewater, percolating into the soil by means of perforated walls is called a cesspool or leaching pool.

Cesspools perform the function of an “overflow” pit for cesspits and work very similar to how a septic tank works. Compared to the older systems, these are generally much more efficient because they receive less solid material. But in a case where septic tanks are unavailable for holding the solids, the maintenance of the cesspool may be a little more problematic.

Design of a Cesspit/Cesspool

A cesspit or cesspool basically refers to an underground construction of a sewage and wastewater holding tank. It serves as storage of excreta temporarily as part of an on-site sanitation system and shares similarities with septic tanks or with soak pits. They usually have the appearance identical to that of a hand dug well for water as these holes are usually about six to nine feet deep, and about one yard in diameter. The technical drawing below shows a typical cesspool design in the United States and other countries utilized from the 1400s through the late 1960s. Some newer cesspool designs located in third world countries utilize secondary clarifiers for the efficient removal of suspended solids.

As the solids continue to accumulate, over time the particulate solids, block the escape of liquids which causes the cesspool to drain more slowly or to overflow. Once this occurs, the cesspool may need to be pumped to make it useable again.

Cesspool Pumping

The 1st step usually involves a thorough tank inspection before pumping. Next, a heavy-duty truck called 'the pumper truck' or 'vacuum truck' is brought on site to pump the cesspool at your home.

The operator may opt for a muck-rake, an instrument which bears a striking resemblance to a long hoe, to stir sludge at the bottom of the tank during pumping to facilitate sludge removal. The operator then employs the use of specialized equipment called a muckraking tool to break up the floating scum layer and a layer of settled sludge in the cesspool tank. Pumping commences shortly after with the help of the aforementioned tool. As soon as pumping commences, the operator continues to pump out and break up the floating scum layer in the cesspool with the muckraking tool.

As soon as all vacuum lines are now fully connected, clean out begins as the pumper truck's vacuum pump begins its operations, the muck rake is also inserted into the cesspool to help break up the smudge and scum, thus enabling a more efficient pump process.

As the process continues, the operator continues to move the vacuum line and the muck rake simultaneously while pumping in order to break up scum and sludge and also to mix these materials with effluent in the tank. These steps are being taken to ensure easy removal with the vacuum hose from the sewer vacuum truck's vacuum system.

After the removal of the scum layer, an astute septic pumper operator may temporarily stop the pumping operation and proceed to shut down the truck and the pumper for a moment to listen. If conditions are met, then evacuation is complete. There are several methods on how to pump a cesspool, some are manually performed by hand and others involve a cesspool pumper or vacuuming truck equipped with special grey water and sludge holding tank.

After evacuation, comes the washing of the septic tank, after which the tank is inspected. Finally, the cesspool is properly closed, and its location marked and recorded for easier tracking subsequently. For more information on anything to do with cesspool pumping or cesspool designs, please visit our WordPress Blog.

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