Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Septic tank and well location
A while ago I got my permit for the septic tanks based on the soil study performed back in May. Before the study we had a meeting at the DDE (planning office) and one of the options I asked about was selling the bottom of the 80 meter long garden for a building plot. The DDE said that the bottom parcel of land was designated agricultural and I would never get planning permission for it. Because I couldn't build on the land I took the option to site the septic tank soakways down the bottom of the garden and because of the slope it meant I didn't need a pump. The garden rises very slightly before falling away. I wasn't that keen on the extra expense of two pumps and the potential for failure. I also knew from having a previous spetic tank installation that the soakaway had to be at least 35 meters away from a well. My well is fairly close to the house. So based on the lie of the land and the location of the well the soakaways ended up nearly 60 meters from the house.
Since then I have spoken to several friends who remarked that it seemed a shame to 'waste' the bottom of the garden and actually the pumps aren't that expensive and rarely break down. The company that came to give me a quote for the septic tank installation also mentioned that having the soakaways so far away did leave the potential for any blockage in the long pipe runs. However like me he agreed that the 35m restriction with the well did limit my options.
Fortunately I bumped into someone the other day that builds houses in France and they mentioned that they managed to get planning permission on agricultural land, but it did take loads of applications and several years. Because of it's potential value I shouldn't give up. Just keep trying.
Obviously I couldn't do anything with the land with two soakways buried just beneath the surface so Debbie phoned the SPANC (Service Public d'Assainissment Non Collectif) to see if there were any options to get around the 35m well restriction. The good news is that they have sent me a form to sign and return in which I have to declare that I will never use the well for drinking water, only for watering the garden, and then I can put the soakaways closer to the house so freeing up the bottom of the garden. Along with the form I need to return a modified plan showing the new location of the soakaways and new pumps.
Result.
| 7:49:53 PM
Septic tank and well location
