Septic vs. Cesspool – Do I Have A Choice?

Let’s start by defining the difference between these two waste receptacles. Both a septic tank and a cesspool are designed to receive and hold sewage, but what happens afterward is very different. In a septic tank, the wastewater travels to a leach field where it undergoes a filtration process. A cesspool lacks this feature, and the wastewater eventually contaminates the surrounding soil. For this reason, cesspools are outdated and illegal in some areas. If you live in an older home with a cesspool, there are likely regulations mandating it be pumped and cleaned out on a regular basis.

Your Only Choices
If you are building a new home, your only likely wastewater choices are a septic system or city sewer system. This would be based on whether your property can connect to the public sewer system, and many rural areas usually cannot. If you currently use a cesspool, do not be surprised if town regulations require you to replace it with a septic system. In the meantime, make sure you are doing your part to sustain the integrity of the environment by maintaining your cesspool. Since these aren’t as common, newer service providers may not know how to clean them properly. However, Wind River Environmental has been in business since 1946 and our technicians have experience with every type of wastewater system, including your cesspools. To learn more or to schedule maintenance, give us a call or Request Service Now.