Septic system debate

[wacki]

I'm in a debate with a very very good high priced lawyer that is claiming septic systems don't need to be pumped. He has one and it hasn't been pumped in over 20 years. He says he knows because he's been involved in septic system litigation. He says the installers told him if he opens up the tank it kills the anaerobic bacteria. I referenced him to some university websites and he dismissed them with the usual ivory tower comments.

My question is if there is any truth to his claims. I find it very very difficult to believe that these websites are wrong but his tank has gone 20 years without pumping and is still doing fine.

About.com
http://homebuying.about.com/od/septicsystems/

E-how
http://www.ehow.com/how_12211_hire-septic-system.html

New York state website
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/environ/septic.htm
Not sure about the us extension or the credibility of the website. Guessing it's legit.


Wackjob universities
http://www.ces.purdue.edu/henv/SepticSystems.htm
pdf on maintenance (pumping),
http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/HENV/HENV-14-W.pdf

additives
http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/HENV/HENV-13-W.pdf

BOD (biological oxygen demand) of the bacteria in the system.
http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/HENV/HENV-14-W.pdf

http://www.human.cornell.edu/che/TXA/Ou...-Quality/Septic-System-Maintenance.cfm
http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az1160/
http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-22/
http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/nsfc/nsfc_septicnews.htm
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/DD6583.html
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt9401.html
http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0740.html

[soko]

WTF of course it has to be pumped eventually, Poop doesn't just dissapear in to thin air, it eventually turns to dirt and settles at the bottom of the tank.

did you read
http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/tankpump.htm#whatwhy

it only makes sense, that eventually it will need to be pumped, not that you couldn't get by with 20 years, but I wouldn't just completly forget about it, at least have it inspected ever few years to see if you have blockage, the last thing you want is it to break open and turn your back yard in to a rancid swampland.

[roundmound]

Im bored and reading old threads.

When it gets full it needs to be pumped. It all depends on usage. If a tank is rated for 8-10 people and there is 1 or 2 using it then it will take a long time to fill up. Take into acouunt that a high priced lawyer spends a ton of time at work and not much at home then he isn't using his system that much. I have a feeling your friend is in for a rude awakening one of these days.