Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator: Accurate Sizing & Affordable Kits
At Septic Tank UK, we provide a comprehensive Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator to help you determine the perfect soakaway size for your property, paired with our innovative septic tank kits. Starting at £3,499 for a 1–2 bedroom kit and up to £4,999 for a 7–8 bedroom kit, our solutions save you £10,000–£15,000 compared to traditional installations costing £18,000 or more. Approved by UK Building Control, the Environment Agency, and compliant with General Binding Rules, our kits are ideal for homes, businesses, campsites, and more across the UK. With a 3-hour installation time and no experience required, our kits and calculator make wastewater management simple and cost-effective for your Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator needs.
Why Use Our Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator?
Our Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator is a user-friendly tool designed to ensure your septic tank system is correctly sized for optimal performance and compliance. Combined with our septic tank soakaway kits, it offers:
- Accurate Sizing: Determines the correct soakaway size based on property size, soil type, and wastewater volume, ensuring compliance with British Water’s Flows and Loads guidance.
- Cost Savings: Pair with our kits (£3,499–£4,999) to save £10,000–£15,000 compared to professional installations.
- Easy Installation: Kits install in 3 hours using a 1.5, 3, or 5-tonne digger, with no experience or concrete required.
- Compact Design: Low-profile tanks (3000L for 1–4 bedrooms, 4000L for 5–8 bedrooms) fit small spaces, ideal for diverse properties.
- Regulatory Compliance: Approved by Environment Agency General Binding Rules and UK Building Control.
Each kit includes a heavy-duty septic tank, 5 lengths of 110mm underground pipe, 110mm connectors, 12 drainage field crates, and free membrane. We also offer kits for 4 person, 6 person, 10 person, 12 person, 18 person, 24 person, 30 person, 50 person, 75 person, and 100 person setups, as well as 4 pop, 6 pop, 10 pop, 12 pop, 18 pop, 24 pop, 30 pop, 50 pop, 75 pop, and 100 pop options.
The Science Behind Septic Tank Soakaway Systems
A septic tank soakaway system combines a septic tank with a drainage field (soakaway) to treat and disperse wastewater from properties not connected to mains sewerage. The Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator ensures the system is correctly sized for efficient operation. Here’s how it works:
How Septic Tank Soakaway Systems Function
Wastewater undergoes a three-stage process:
- Solid Separation: Heavy solids (sludge) settle at the bottom of the tank, while lighter materials (scum) float to the top.
- Anaerobic Digestion: Bacteria break down organic matter in an oxygen-free environment, partially treating the wastewater.
- Effluent Dispersal: Treated effluent flows to the soakaway, where it percolates through soil for further purification.
The soakaway size is critical for effective dispersal and depends on the number of occupants, daily wastewater volume, and soil percolation rate. Our calculator uses data from British Water’s Flows and Loads to recommend tank and soakaway sizes (e.g., 3000L for 1–4 bedrooms, 4000L for 5–8 bedrooms). Our kits feature a shallow drainage field (500mm below ground), optimized for clay-heavy soils, unlike traditional systems requiring deeper fields (1000mm+).
Why Shallow Drainage Fields Work
Clay soils, common in the UK, slow water percolation, making deep drainage fields costly and less effective. Our kits place the soakaway closer to the surface, where soil is less compact, improving effluent absorption. This reduces installation costs and complies with Approved Document H.
Environmental Benefits
Our kits and calculator ensure systems meet Environment Agency General Binding Rules, preventing groundwater pollution. The shallow soakaway minimizes effluent reaching watercourses, protecting UK rivers and ecosystems.
Case Study: Using the Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator
Background
In 2024, a homeowner in Devon needed a septic tank system for their 3-bedroom rural home. With clay-heavy soil and no mains sewer, professional quotes averaged £18,500. They used our Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator and chose our £3,999 3–4 bedroom kit to save costs.
Methodology
The installation process included:
- Calculator Use: The homeowner inputted property size (3 bedrooms), occupant number (4), and soil percolation rate (tested onsite), yielding a 3000L tank and 12m² soakaway recommendation.
- Site Assessment: Confirmed the site was over 30m from a public sewer and 50m from water sources, per Environment Agency regulations.
- Installation: Using a 3-tonne digger, a local builder installed the 3000L tank and 500mm-deep soakaway in 2.9 hours.
- Inspection: A Building Control officer verified compliance with Approved Document H.
Results
The system was installed for under £4,200, saving £14,300. The calculator ensured accurate sizing, and the shallow soakaway performed well in clay soil, with no issues after ten months. The homeowner praised the calculator’s simplicity and kit’s ease of use.
Conclusion
This case study highlights the effectiveness of our Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator and kits in delivering compliant, cost-effective solutions for rural properties.
Customer Reviews
Tom H., Cornwall
“The Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator was a game-changer. It recommended the perfect size for our 4-bedroom home, and the £3,999 kit saved us £14,000. Installed in 3 hours, it works perfectly in clay soil. Building Control approved it easily!”
Sarah B., Shropshire
“Our campsite needed a septic system. The calculator made sizing simple, and the kit was affordable and easy to install. The shallow soakaway is ideal for our soil. Highly recommend Septic Tank UK!”
Laura M., Kent
“The calculator and £4,499 kit saved us £13,500. Installation took 3 hours, and the system is flawless. The Environment Agency and Building Control had no issues. Fantastic product!”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is a Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator?
- A Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator is a tool that determines the appropriate septic tank and soakaway size based on property size, occupant number, and soil percolation rate, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
- Do I need planning permission for a septic tank soakaway system?
- Yes, new installations require planning permission and Building Control approval. Our kits comply with Approved Document H, simplifying the process.
- How do I use the Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator?
- Input your property size (e.g., number of bedrooms), occupant number, and soil percolation rate (from a percolation test). The calculator recommends tank capacity and soakaway size.
- Will the kit work in clay or poor-draining soil?
- Yes, our shallow drainage field (500mm deep) is designed for clay-heavy or poor-draining soils, ensuring efficient effluent dispersal.
- How often should I maintain my septic tank system?
- Desludge annually and inspect the soakaway for blockages. Follow the maintenance guide included with the kit.
- What if my property is near a public sewer?
- If within 30m of a public sewer, you may need to connect to it. If impractical, our kits meet regulations for private systems. Contact your local water authority.
How to Use the Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator
Our Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator simplifies sizing your septic system. Follow these steps:
- Determine Occupants: Count the number of people using the property (e.g., 4 for a 3-bedroom home).
- Conduct a Percolation Test: Measure soil drainage rate (seconds/mm) to assess percolation, as per British Water guidelines.
- Input Data: Enter occupant number and percolation rate into the calculator to get tank and soakaway size recommendations.
- Select Kit: Choose a kit (e.g., 3000L for 1–4 bedrooms, 4000L for 5–8 bedrooms) based on calculator output.
- Install: Use the kit’s components and shallow soakaway design for a compliant, efficient system.
The calculator ensures your system meets Environment Agency standards, avoiding costly oversizing or undersizing.
Comparison Table: Our Kits vs. Traditional Installations
| Feature | Septic Tank UK Kits | Traditional Installations |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £3,499–£4,999 | £18,000–£20,000 |
| Installation Time | 3 hours | 3–5 days |
| Concrete Required | No | Yes |
| Soakaway Depth | 500mm | 1000mm+ |
| Tank Footprint | Small (3000L–4000L) | Large (onion-style) |
| Experience Needed | None | Skilled labor |
| Regulatory Compliance | Yes (Environment Agency, UK Building Control) | Yes, but complex |
This table highlights the advantages of our Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator and kits over traditional systems, emphasizing cost, speed, and simplicity.
Why Our Septic Tank Soakaway Kits Outperform Traditional Systems
Traditional systems require deep excavations, concrete surrounds, and large soakaways, increasing costs and complexity. Our kits, paired with the Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator, offer:
- Accurate Sizing: Ensures optimal performance and compliance.
- Shallow Soakaway: 50% less depth reduces digging time and cost.
- No Concrete: Eliminates expensive materials.
- Compact Tanks: Fit small spaces, ideal for diverse properties.
These features make our kits the best choice for Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator users.
Regulatory Compliance
Our kits and calculator ensure compliance with:
- Environment Agency General Binding Rules: No discharge to watercourses, daily discharge under 2m³, BS EN 12566 compliance.
- Building Regulations Approved Document H: Proper sizing and installation.
- British Water Flows and Loads: Accurate tank and soakaway sizing.
We provide documentation for planning permission and Building Control approval, streamlining the process.
Applications for Septic Tank Soakaway Kits
Our kits, sized with the Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator, suit various UK properties:
Domestic Properties
Perfect for rural homes, from small cottages to large houses, with kits for 1–100 persons.
Campsites and Glamping
Ideal for tourism-driven sites, offering quick installation and compliance for seasonal or permanent use.
Caravan Parks and Mobile Homes
Compact kits fit tight spaces, providing efficient wastewater solutions for caravan sites.
Commercial Properties
Businesses like farm shops or rural hotels benefit from our scalable kits, up to 100-person capacity.
Get Your Septic Tank Soakaway Kit Today
Ready to size and install a septic system with our Septic Tank Soakaway Size Calculator? Visit Septic Tank UK to use the calculator and order your kit, starting at £3,499 for 1–2 bedrooms or up to £4,999 for 7–8 bedrooms. Contact us for expert advice or to place your order.
With our calculator and kits, you’ll enjoy a compliant, affordable, and easy-to-install septic system. Don’t pay £18,000 for a traditional installation—choose Septic Tank UK and save big!
Additional Resources
For more information on septic tank regulations and soakaway sizing, explore these high-authority resources: