Locating a Septic tank

[_Brian]

@George1

I thought there was some obligation to have SPANC inspect fosses for compliance with the latest regulations

Not only that but (here in 86 at least) there is a compulsory 10-yearly inspection to ensure that everything is still up to spec.

[Fleur]

Ask a neighbour. We had a similar problem with a small fosse when renovating a gite. Our nearest neighbour knew exactly where it was.

[Wozza]

Many houses here in Burgundy have the fosse (well concrete box) directly under a toilet with a soak away pipe for the water. (This is how mine is) These were built maybe in the 50s and 60s when an extension was built to house the toilet and bath. The pipe work would generally be cast iron or reenforced concrete, Do you know anyone with a metal detector. Another thing to look out for is places in the garden / courtyard that are greener than the rest but that could equally be the soak away and or an old well.

[Wozza]

Oh I forgot to mention the vent pipe may also be a drain pipe fixed into the roof gutter

[Shunt]

Thanks , I’m in Burgundy also. Our place was extended in 1990 and we’re told there’s a fosse dating from then, we think we know where it is from the greener grass, but want to find someone who can excavate it and make it conform. S

[Wozza]

I’m in Vézelay, if you live anywhere near I may know someone that can help, not sure he does septic tanks but he’d know someone that does.

[Shunt]

I’m in La Chapelle-sous-Uchon, near Autun. I have contacted about 10 people so far and received one eye watering quote to replace the tank, which i can’t afford, so if you know anyone who can possibly help I would appreciate it.

[Melange]

We have had little success in locating ours. We had a visit from the company that empties tanks locally, he couldn’t find it so suggested we got a digger and took off the top layers of soil over quite a large area. We decided not too but then got a letter from SPANC saying they wanted to visit. When she arrived she checked the inspection tank which was clean and together we ambled around the garden looking for likely spots where it could be. However she also couldn’t find it. We then received a letter saying we could continue to use it but if we intended to sell the property it would have to be replaced because it wouldn’t meet present day standards. She told us to keep the letter safe as it would save us a lot of money. However unless a cheap system comes onto the market we know the cost is only going to get greater.

[John_Scully]

@Melange

if we intended to sell the property it would have to be replaced

Or alternatively you deduct the cost of replacement from the agreed sale price? That was my MT’s advice when I told him we were replacing ours. I’d say that’s his plan rather than forking out now.

[Corona]

Anyone using the microsystems, a lot cheaper and less disruption than excavating a new complying septic field.?

Micro-stations d'epuration

[image] Mini waste treatment plants or micro purification stations are a practical and cost effective alternative to the rather archaic ‘fosse septique’. There is less work to do to install them and their output is potentially less polluting than their traditional counterparts. From an installation perspective their is much less disruption and groundworks required as there is no need for a soak-away or drainage bed. Providing your local water authority has certified the model you intend to install they look like the way forward. I can't put it off any longer, I will almost certainly be installing one this summer and I am looking for a supplier. Have you installed one, are you happy with it? Where did you get it? If you are a supplier, please feel free to discuss your products and offerings within the confines of this thread. I have a five bedroom house and will be installing it myself so I need quotes for supply and delivery to my address near Dax.

[George1]

Interestingly an online search suggests (for those still looking for their fosse!) that specialists use probes, flushed down the loo, which then emit radio signals to detect the missing fosse.

Location sonde flottante detection fosse septique - DUMATOS LOCATION

[George1]

Fosse Septique - Un Coude Plongeant

Bill, an update for you, following our exchanges in May (I hope you’ve completed on your purchase?). Today we have finally had a Microstation Graf EasyOne installed. It took 4 full days for a team to install. They were clearly familiar with Microstations, I’m told that some installers only really know about the traditional fosse toutes eaux , and familiarity with a Microstation was one of our main criteria for selecting the installers. Be warned, the installation temporarily turns your lawn into a battlefield! Nobody should think of doing this other than in late spring/summer/early autumn, I would have thought. The cost worked out at 11000€, per the devis, including plants (to be planted next week) for the ‘nou’ or rainwater garden, which absorbs the treated water (see the first picture). qua-environnement.fr/micro-station/easyone-tarifs-1/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI357KvZTY-AIVXBkGAB1b9QHwEAAYASAAEgLC0_D_BwE [IMG_20220701_184841973_HDR] [IMG-20220630-WA0000] [IMG-20220630-WA0001]

@Corona We’ve had a MicroStation Graf EasyOne installed last year, see link. Our clay geology and small garden size did not permit the installation of a classic, traditional fosse

Absolutely no complaints. One single regard is all that is visible, plus an attractive nou that is being planted up to receive the treated water. Minimal disturbance to garden/lawn when installing it, now completely grassed over. Seems effective and efficient…we have taken on an annual maintenance contract with manufacturers agents…so far so good re MicroStation.

[Shunt]

We were quoted €16,000 for a micro system, a compact version! I don’t think that’s cheaper.

[Shunt]

Ive approached 10 companies, only one responded and they can’t do it until next year.

[George1]

We were charged about 11,000€ for our MicroStation

[Wozza]

@Shunt

I’m in La Chapelle-sous-Uchon, near Autun. I have contacted about 10 people so far and received one eye watering quote to replace the tank, which i can’t afford, so if you know anyone who can possibly help I would appreciate it.

Sorry it’s too far away.

[Corona]

@Shunt

We were quoted €16,000 for a micro system, a compact version! I don’t think that’s cheaper.

I think its safe to they maybe treating the poo but definitely taking the piss

[Shunt]

Yes, I agree.

[monti]

I had same problem…called my local septic emptying company and they came and put a camera down a toilet and found it! I was able to connect to town sewer so that company came and emptied the septic and pumped in something (sand…?) to fill it. Very easy and not expensive as I remember (but I don’t remember the cost…)

[Shunt]

Thanks, I did wander if it were possible to put a probe down and find it, but not one of the companies i contacted suggested this. I’ll ask again.