A cesspool, more precisely a sealed holding tank, is an impermeable tank where wastewater is only collected. It does not reliably treat the water and its contents must be regularly transported to an approved disposal facility.
It mainly makes sense where only a small amount of wastewater is produced: for example at recreational buildings, seasonally used cottages or temporary solutions. For a permanently occupied house it is often expensive to operate, because tanker collection quickly becomes costly. If a family lives in the house and water is normally used for laundry, showers and a dishwasher, frequent emptying must be expected.
What to watch
- The tank must be genuinely watertight. A leaking cesspool is not cheap infiltration, but a problem for groundwater and for the authorities.
- The volume must be designed according to real water consumption and the realistic frequency of collection.
- A vacuum tanker must be able to access the tank. Hose length is limited and height differences do not help.
- Keep proof of every collection. A Czech authority may ask for it as evidence that wastewater is handled properly.
Under Czech legislation, accumulation of wastewater in an impermeable holding tank is generally considered mainly where sewerage is unavailable and direct treatment with discharge is not technically feasible. Always verify the specific option with a designer and the relevant Czech building authority.