Septic system regulations in Hawaii

[EightFingers]

Are septic systems required to be pumped periodically (like every three years)? Do they have to be pumped prior to the sale of the property?

[Hotzcatz]

Nope, no pumping requirements either periodically or on sale of the property. The ground is so porous around here that septic/cesspools rarely require pumping that I know of. I've never known of anyone who has had one pumped for any reason.

---

"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson

[Haaheo okole puka]

Septic systems depend on the health of the anaerobic colony within the tank, so it all depends on that factor by usage as to how often they need to be pumped. I know there are some non-enforced rules on inspection intervals. As per the sale of a home, I'm not sure about the rules on that within Hawaii but I would imagine there are some requirements for that also. I'm sure someone here in the real-estate biz can answer that. The newer codes should require alarms for your septic system but I'm not certain here.

Our aerobically based cesspools are another animal altogether and Hotzcatz addressed that already.

I haven't bothered to read it but here's a link that may provide some answers.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww1.honolulu.gov%2Fenv%2Fwwm%2Fenvquality%2Fsepticsystemsinformation.pdf&ei=cjUDU-aXBY-FogSTpIK4Dw&usg=AFQjCNGdeTHOJzhsJlkKY-DUTXPBZ5f0Tg&bvm=bv.61535280,d.cGU

[Chas]

A septic tank consists of a tank (maybe 2 tanks) and a drain field. All sewage and waste water goes into the tank. Near the top of the tank are pipes that lead into the drain field. The drain field is a series of perforated pipes. Each time you flush a toilet or use the shower or sink, everything goes into the tank. The solid waste settles to the bottom and the excess liquid goes into the drain field where it is dissipated into the ground. The solids stay in the tank.

A certain amount of the solid waste will break down into liquid and make their way out of the tank. Eventually though, if not pumped out, the solids will build up to the point that they will be high enough to flow into the drain field. This is a total disaster and will ruin your drain field, requiring expensive replacement. As Haaheo says, how long this takes depends on several factors. I know that putting food waste into the system inhibits the biological process and causes solids to build up faster than if you didn't put food waste into it.

You can check the level of solids from the inspection/clean out port on top. Periodic pumping is most certainly necessary. In most cases, that's every couple of years. Again, it depends on the size of the tank and how much goes into it.

The good news is that, if maintained, they will last a very long time. Mine is over 50 years old. The only problem I've had with it was when some tree roots found their way into the pipe from the house to the tank.

Wikipedia has a good explanation of how they work if you want more info.

[EightFingers]

Haaheo, thanks for the link, lot of info there!