A question about septic tanks - no, really!

[Wontigonk]

I wasn't sure which forum to post this dilemma in, so here goes....

We are looking at buying a property that has a septic tank system, as its not on mains drainage. My wife spotted that post sterilising brewing kit, pouring chemicals designed to kills bugs into a system that relies on bacterial activity to break down the, ahem, organic matter might not be the wisest...

Unfortunately, the option of pouring it down the drain is also out, as that system collects rainwater that is used as the water supply for the house. It has the potential for some lovely non chemical water for brewing, but not if its tainted with VWP.

It may be something that natural dilution will take care of - I'd anticipate using about 5 gallons of sterilising solution per brewday (I try to reuse from one vessel to another) and am now making it up at about 1 tsp per gallon.

Does any one out there have a septic tank into which they pour their sterilising solutions? If so, have you had any problems?

 

[Bribie]

What sort of sanitising chemicals are you looking at? Personally - although normal sewerage - I use StarSan no-rinse sanitiser for most of my gear, bottling, kegs etc. The main ingredient is phosphoric acid, as used in Coca Cola :sick: - however it's apparently a good yeast nutrient if you leave traces in the bottle or fermenter. Coupled with a septic-friendly detergent for initial washing of fermenters and other gear, followed by a good sanitise with StarSan or whatever local equivalent you have in the UK - your septic should be grateful. StarSan is a USA product so probably available in the UK?

Also StarSan solution, if diluted judiciously, is a great lawn food as well, not unlike superphosphate, so you can tip your rinsings on the garden.

 

[jamesb]

I have a septic tank, I use a lot of chemicals (chlorinated caustics) and I haven't managed to break it yet. But I am concious of how much I'm putting down. OTOH, I don't have to pay to have it fixed! :party: (rented house)

Don't tip your waste yeast into it though, that will break it. Put it on the compost instead (a bit won't hurt, but a lot will)

 

[Wontigonk]

Bribie, I'll have to look that out. Currently I'm using what seems to be bog standard this side of the pond - VWP, which lists itself as 5% non ionic surfactant, 6.5% chlorine based bleach and 20% phosphates. Maybe I'll try an unreagrded end of the new lawn for a tst of diltte solution as a fertiliser!

Jamesb - good tip! I wouldn't have thought of that, although instinctively I'd want to compost yeast. That said, if its dark, wet and windy, I could have sinned, and I won't be renting! Thanks for the reassurtance as well - I can see my needing a standard soak away dug deep for the dodgier liquids.