The Septic Tank Man

A septic tanks resource for homeowners

Cesspools

What You Should Know about Cesspools

Cesspools, also known as sump pits or soakaways, were once a common method for managing wastewater from homes. These holes in the ground, often lined with porous materials like cement or stone, acted as temporary storage units for wastewater before it slowly seeped into the surrounding soil.
A cesspool essentially acts as a temporary holding pit for wastewater. Unlike modern septic systems, traditional cesspools lacked the ability to separate solids from liquids.
Typically, the wastewater would seep through the bottom and sometimes the sides of the pit, entering the surrounding soil.
Nowadays, many cesspools are …