SOAK PIT

SOAK PIT

A soak pit, also known as a soakaway or leach pit, is a covered, porous-walled chamber that allows water to slowly soak into the ground.

Need for Soak Pit

The water coming out from a primary treatment chamber is not pure. 

The primary treatment unit can be a septic tank, a biogas settler, anaerobic baffled reactor, twin-pits etc. 

The effluent water coming out of these units are called greywater, which must be subjected to a partial treatment before letting it into the ground soil.

 For this partial treatment, most of the wastewater management system needs a soak pit.

There is no intention to reuse the wastewater that is coming from the primary treatment unit. But the partial treatment of effluent water through a soak pit is a safer way of discharging the water into the environment.

Function of Soak Pit

The greywater passing through the soak pit is subjected to filtration. 

This results in the settlement of smaller particles of effluents at the bottom of the soak pit. 

These smaller particles are digested by the microorganisms which are a sustainable process of degradation. 

The filtered water is then discharged out through the porous wall of the soak pit.

Soak pit serves the purpose of receiving the effluent water from the primary treatment unit.

How does a soak pit work?

A soak pit typically consists of a chamber, often circular or rectangular, featuring regularly spaced pores.

 It is connected to the septic tank through a wastewater pipe that carries effluent from various sources like toilets, kitchens, and bathrooms. 

Within the pit, boulders and gravels are placed to facilitate the filtration of water and organic materials present in the effluent.

The effluent entering the soak pit undergoes a filtration process, wherein smaller particles and organic matter settle at the bottom of the pit. These tiny particles are subsequently decomposed and consumed by microorganisms. The filtered water then gradually permeates into the surrounding soil. Soak pits are most effective in areas with permeable soils exhibiting a high absorption or infiltration rate.

What is the purpose of a soak pit?

A soak pit is an essential part of any home drainage system. It helps in collecting and disposing of wastewater safely away from the house. By utilising a soak pit, you can reduce the amount of contaminated water being released into the environment and help to maintain cleanliness around your property.

SIZE OF SOAK PIT

The soak pit shall not be less than 900mm in diameter& 1500mm in depth below the invert level of the inlet pipe. 

The absorption area of the soak pit could be 1 Sqm to 1.5 Sqm per head of the user. The soaking pit should be covered by the precast slab.

What is the minimum distance between Borewell and soak pit?

Normally the soak pit and borewell should not be too near. The ideal distance between them should be 30 m i.e. 100 ft.

SHAPE OF SOAK PIT

Soak pits can be either rectangular or circular. Infiltration trenches are normally rectangular.