Most of the private homes in Kenton and Bushmans are not connected to any kind of water born sewage disposal system, and given the state of our municipal finances are unlikely to be provided with a connection in the foreseeable future! The majority of homes still rely on the older system of a septic tank and French drain/soakaway. For newer homes the Municipality has required the installation of a Conservancy tank which the municipal Vacuum Tank/“Honey sucker” can pump out as often as required. (Each visit comes at a price and is dependent on availability of the truck).
The consequence of heavy loading on septic tanks when homes are crowded with visitors is that the tanks overflow and ooze, especially along the banks of our two estuaries where the ooze seeps into the estuaries. One has only to walk along the two towpaths on the banks of the estuaries to see and smell the results of the ooze, especially over holiday times, Estuary Care and many of our members have become increasingly concerned at the pollution in our estuaries.
A complete solution
In searching for a solution we found out that there are a number of firms who specialize in water and waste water treatment. Systems involve the use of a septic tank followed by a bio digester and aerator after which the non toxic liquid can be safely irrigated on to lawns and gardens. We would earnestly suggest that anyone contemplating building or modifying a home in Kenton or Bushmans, should consider making use of one of these services. We met with a representative of one firm who showed us round some of the installations which his firm had done. The web site is www.clearedgeprojects.com
A low cost option
Most homes with septic tanks and French drains lead all their waste water (toilet plus bath and shower and laundry and kitchen water) into a common sewer leading to the septic tank. This places a huge strain on the system, especially at peak holiday times. A simple and much lower cost solution is to separate the grey water (laundry, basins, bath and shower) from the toilet and kitchen waste and to direct this to a small holding tank fitted with a low cost aerator and pump. This pump is set to be triggered when the level rises above a set amount and irrigates the water on to lawns and gardens via a sprinkler system. This functions automatically. This leaves the septic tank to deal only with toilet and kitchen effluent. This results in a massive reduction in the volume of liquid and almost always controls the overflow and ooze (see image below).
