septic tank?

On our property a tank as shown in the photos has been sitting there above ground like that for many years. First of all I'd like to verify that it is probably indeed an old septic tank. I don't know. It is made of heavy plastic (or polyethylene). I assume it is a septic tank but maybe it's just a water holding tank otherwise of some type. The sticker on it says 1100 gallons but no other identifying info other than engraved into the plastic it says "water only". I have no use for it but perhaps somebody else would so I'm thinking of advertising it as available for sale/trade or to give away. It looks to be sound and leak-free upon examination, except as shown in the one photo there is a broken fitting which could probably easily be replaced if need be. Any comments appreciated.

 

Usually tanks like that are water tanks. In some drought parts of the world a tank like that would be worth a lot. Up in AK where it might only be used during the warmer months I don't know what it's value might be. Still it looks like a nice tank. I bet you'll find someone who is willing to pay for it.

 

Ok thanks for the reply. Yes after further inquiry I discovered that it is indeed NOT a septic tank but a water storage tank. I looked online and found the same thing available new for $591. Yes here we have no drought or such and I can't think of anything practical I can use it for. I could probably sell it for a cheap reasonable price, and might try. Trouble is, I'm afraid I might think of a good practical use for it and wish I would've kept it, right after I've sold it!

 

Cut the top off and make a little swimming pool or fish pond?
If you brew or make moonshine it would make a heck of a mash tun.
Clubhouse for kids???

 

The prior Owners have no knowledge of its origin either ?

There;s a story there, especially when I look at the "sawed-off" Inlet nipple showing no threads inside. Was the Outlet also sawed off . . . . it ought to be on the opposite side near the bottom of the tank ?

Around here, when wells fail, and there's a backlog of people waiting for well drilling services, people often rent a water buffalo (trailered on wheels) to provide a temporary water supply. I tank like the one pictured might be employed where periodic drought conditions are much more common.

 

Also good for a cistern for a slow well or artesian spring that has low GPM.

 

^Yeah, maybe, perhaps some good selling points, maybe... thanks.

^No knowledge of prior owners... !

^Well, to me anyway, the inlet (as seen in the picture first post here) looks rather broke-off to me, rather than sawed off. And I do see some threads back in there, but seems as if the broken off piece connected to that fitting is stuck on tight, doesn't want to uncrew outta there, maybe glued not sure. The outlet, as seen in photo below, is intact and with a plug threaded in. And it is right there directly below the inlet, not on the opposite side of the tank.

^Around here the situation is opposite. No backlog of people waiting for well drilling or such, and no drought conditions even periodic, ever.

^In these parts yes, especially the artesian spring cistern possibility, could be quite applicable. Thanks, another good selling point..

Any further comments welcome/appreciated, thanks again all.

 

It's an emergency water tank,
"no knowledge of prior owners" suggests that you're in a foreclosure property.

It is UP-hill or DOWN-hill from the house?

I ask because I see two only possibilities.

1) Prior owners had a problem with their well or well pump. They bought the tank as an emergency fix and stored drinking water in it until they could afford to get the well reparied. They'd have a water truck deliver water every week or so. The tank is placed UP hill from the house so the water would naturally prime the pump.

2) Prior owners had a problem with the septic system. They bought the tank as an emergency fix and stored raw sewage in it until they could get the septic system repaired. They'd have a septic service pump out the tank every week or so. The tank is DOWN hill from the house, they probably had a "trash pump" from the septic tank to the tank. You'll likely see tell tale signs of water-diversion- odd plumbing because the dishwasher and clothes washer were diverted into the sump pump, the shower was diverted into the sump pump, and the toilets are the only lines that don't show evidence of "creative" plumbing.

Unfortunately, #2 is more likely, if you're in an area where the is plenty of water. I'd check with the county health department, check the local municipal files, see what happened before you bought the house.

If it's a former drinking water tank, then it's probably a good "backup" tank for emergency water.

If it's a former honeydipper tank, then it's better used as a grey-water tank for lawn irrigation. You can dramatically reduce the load on your septic system by sending clothes washer, dishwasher, sump pump water into that tank, then using that water for lawn irrigation.

And I've heard of somebody collecting their water-softener-salt-backwash into a similar tank (in a basement of a house on a hill) so they can automaticaly de-ice their driveway with brine.

 

Ah, thanks for that additional helpful input/comments Hal. Will take under advisement.

 

Laundry room at one end of house and when I do laundry the septic tank smell comes up in my shower at the other end of house. Also the laundry water will sometimes back up into the shower. What could be causing this? I ran water before laundry to make sure p-trap or s-trap had water but the smell still comes in. I am new on this site so I hope I posted this in the right place.

 

BoBlues I'd suggest you would want to post your inquiry separately by starting a new thread rather than in discussion with this thread, as the issue(s) differ to that extent. I'm not a moderator, but just my $.02. Good luck to you on your issue; I've found this site quite helpful very often over the years.

 

Sorry I thought I did start a new thread in plumbing. Not sure how to do that. Thank You