difference between septic system and cesspool?

Can anyone explain the difference b/w a septic system and a cesspool?

I am clueless here and want to know more.

Thanks!

Re: difference between septic system and cesspool?

Septic system vs. Cesspool

Re: difference between septic system and cesspool?

A cesspool is a system designed to work all by itself, and if done properly, shouldn't need to be pumped out (but as they get older, they tend to stop breaking down and pumping is necessary). In a cesspool, all waste is conveyed to an underground "pool" that is solid on the bottom, but the walls are slotted. The solid waste settles to the bottom and the liquid stays on top, and eventually seeps out into the soil through the slotted walls. The solids should break down over time by the bacteria in it. A cesspool system may have one pool, but many are designed with an overflow pool to help drain off the liquid.

Our home has two cinder-block cesspools original to the house. My house is 40+ years old. Truth is, they have been pumped 2x in the last 5 years because of back up in the house. We are putrting aside money to eventually replace them with the newer kind - precast rings. The precast rings are one solid design and will not collapse like the older cinder block type can.

On the other hand, a septic system is designed a little different. There is a solids holding tank (usually concrete and solid all the way around (i.e., no slotted sides) and then there are a series of pipes that lead off from the solids tank to a leaching field, where the liquids settle. Spetic systems are newer, but on LI, there aren't many as you need a large area to have your leach field.

Can you tell I work in that area of engineering?? If you have any other questions, I am sure I can answer you.

Informational LINK

Message edited 6/12/2007 8:34:53 AM.

Re: difference between septic system and cesspool?

Here's another question about cesspools. I grew up with sewers, so I never knew anything at all about this!
We've been in our house for almost 2 years. What kind of maintenance, if any, should we be doing on our cesspool?
Thanks!

Re: difference between septic system and cesspool?

I know I am chiming in late here, thanks for the details.

But isnt it unsanitary to have waste products seeping into the very ground that you live on and your children play on?

That concerns me...why isnt this an issue (or is it?)

Re: difference between septic system and cesspool?

Re: difference between septic system and cesspool?

Re: difference between septic system and cesspool?

I actually don't even know where ours is - or how old. All I know is we have a 2nd overflow one and DH says not to worry about it
I'll ask him - I know he discussed it with the previous owners.
I just wasn't sure if we had to have it pumped or checked every so often.