Septic tanks for big stands only: Expert

THE use of septic tanks on stands less than 2 000 square metres in size means neighbours end up consuming each other’s waste, making it difficult to control water-borne diseases like cholera, a local government expert has said.

In an interview with The Herald on Tuesday, Mr Percy Toriro said having septic tanks on stand sizes that are not recommended leads to the contamination of water where people depend on boreholes and wells for the supply of water.

“In Zimbabwean cities, in situ sewage treatment, also known as septic tank and soak away system, is ordinarily and safely used on stands that are 2 000 square metres and above in size.

“For any stand smaller than 2 000 square metres, one needs to conduct soil percolation tests to prove that their liquid waste can be safely treated on site. Otherwise one has to connect to a reticulated system that goes to a municipal treatment plant.

“The dangers of using septic tanks on smaller stands is that there can be cross contamination from one stand to another, especially where there are also shallow wells nearby. In simple terms, your neighbour ends up consuming your sewage.

“With cholera or other communicable diseases such as typhoid, such a scenario makes management of the epidemic difficult. Inevitably, the diseases spread faster and the fatalities increase,” said Mr Toriro.

He said there was need to abide by council planning regulations.

“The problem can be solved by adhering to planning standards and development conditions. Occupation of urban stands should not occur if the stand is not fully serviced with water and sewers,” said Mr Toriro.

He urged municipal authorities to strictly control development and ensure no settlement is occupied unless and until they certify it fit for habitation.