What is the best way to collect wastewater and other waste products? If you’re looking for an alternative to city sewage, you’ve come to the right place. Comparing the septic tank vs. holding tank is a crucial step in understanding the features of these two sewage systems.
Lots of people think that septic tanks and holding tanks refer to the same system, but they’re wrong. Keep on reading to understand the difference between them.
What is a Septic Tank and How Does it Work?
A septic tank holds wastewater from the restroom. It treats waste before letting it seep into the surrounding ground, also known as the drain field, making room for more waste products to be collected efficiently. As a result, septic tanks are mainly designed for long-term use and can be pumped only once a year or even once every 2 or 3 years, providing excellent operation with minimum issues.
With frequent inspections, pumping, and proper maintenance, a septic tank system can run for up to 40 years without needing to be replaced. This is why it’s extremely popular among homeowners because it’s relatively low-cost to run.
In a septic tank, there are 2 chambers and an outlet pipe. One of them acts as a pumping chamber, while the other one is where solid and liquid waste is separated. The heavy solid waste sinks to the bottom of the tank, while the light solid waste floats, leaving a layer of water in the middle.
The water exits through the outlet pipe and drains into the ground, where the bacteria break it, leaving enough room for more waste in the tank. Tanks come in different sizes, depending on the number of bathrooms, kitchens, and users in the house or facility. Some tanks are big enough to handle the waste of big business establishments with no issues.
Septic tanks are made of concrete, steel, plastic, or fiberglass. Concrete tanks are durable, but will eventually crack, especially if they’re made of low-quality concrete. Steel tanks are sturdier, but they’re subject to rust or corrosion within 20 years or less. Fiberglass and plastic are rust and corrosion-resistant, but they’re subject to structural damage.
What is a Holding Tank and How Does it Work?
A holding tank does what its name indicates; it holds water. It doesn’t treat wastewater or waste products, and as a result, needs to be emptied once it reaches its maximum capacity.
Depending on the size of the tank you’ve installed, you will have to empty it more or less frequently. Most tanks need to be emptied monthly, while smaller models should be emptied weekly.
Holding tanks work best for vacation homes, trailers, RVs, boats, and other locations where short-term use is expected. They’re not designed for long-term use because they need regular pumping and inspection, which could be inconvenient if you’re using this system at home.
Since it only holds waste, a holding tank is made of one compartment. The waste has to be pumped using a vacuum truck where it will be later transferred to a municipal treatment system.
Most holding tanks are made of high-quality polyethylene. Some come with an indicator to show users that it’s time to empty the tank. However, most users will have a maintenance contract with a clean-up agency.
A Septic Tank vs. Holding Tank: Similarities and Differences
Both tanks provide home and business facilities with a convenient space to store wastewater and other waste products. However, these 2 systems work differently, so which one should be your number one choice?
What are the Similarities?
Here is how septic tanks and holding tanks are similar.
- Both systems are used to replace the city sewage system. They hold waste for your facility until it’s time to empty the tank.
- Both systems need to be emptied. However, the frequency of emptying the tank differs according to its capacity and the type of the container.
- Without proper maintenance, both systems can get clogged and might eventually fail.
What are the Differences?
Here are some differences between the 2 systems.
- A septic tank needs to be emptied less often than a holding tank. A holding tank should be emptied weekly or monthly, while a septic tank can be emptied once a year or even once every few years.
- Only solid waste is collected in a septic tank, as the wastewater is drained into the surrounding ground.
- A septic tank has a built-in pump that collects wastewater and pumps it into the surrounding ground. A holding tank can only be emptied using a vacuum truck, as there’s no drainage connected to the tank.
Which One to Choose?
In most cases, septic tanks are more popular than holding tanks for households and business establishments, because they last longer and don’t require frequent pumping. However, if you have an RV, boat, or other recreational vehicles, a holding tank will be more convenient. It’s also the right choice for temporary events like weddings or parties.
Nevertheless, there are a few things that you need to consider before installing a septic tank.
- You need an expert to evaluate the condition of the soil before installing a septic tank. In some cases, the roots of trees can grow to jeopardize the status of the septic tank, as they will be drawn to the nutrients present in wastewater. This will cause cracks in the septic tank.
- Non-biodegradable matter, oil, and grease can affect the lifespan of the tank. Cleaning products and chemicals can also damage the walls of the tank as they can cause early erosion.
- If the tank is too small, it might not be able to handle the amount of wastewater before it’s drained into the nearby ground. You need to make sure that the size of the tank is big enough to handle waste from your facility to prevent an overload.
Wrap Up
Septic and holding tanks can be used to handle waste from your facility. Septic tanks are more suitable for households and business facilities as they require less frequent pumping. With proper maintenance, these tanks can last for decades. On the other hand, holding tanks need more frequent pumping and are suitable for vacation homes, recreational vehicles, and boats.
Depending on the amount of waste and the condition of the soil, you should choose the most appropriate system. Regular maintenance is needed to make sure that your system is working the way it should.