Separation distance between potable water tank and sewage holding tank
Separation distance between potable water tank and sewage holding tank
(OP)
Doing some preliminary research for a project that involves a building in a remote site. It requires an underground potable water tank and an underground sewage holding tank. We intent to put them into the same hole in the ground exterior to the building and dig the hole deep enough for the tanks below the frost line.
Can't seems to find much information for this scenario because mostly literature covers septic field and ground well. The tanks we're planning to use are plastic tanks.
Questions are:
1. What is the separation distances between the two tanks?
2. Does the potable water require treatment before feeding into the building's domestic water system? (Provided the water is treated potable water filled by trucks on a weekly basis).
Thanks.
Can't seems to find much information for this scenario because mostly literature covers septic field and ground well. The tanks we're planning to use are plastic tanks.
Questions are:
1. What is the separation distances between the two tanks?
2. Does the potable water require treatment before feeding into the building's domestic water system? (Provided the water is treated potable water filled by trucks on a weekly basis).
Thanks.





RE: Separation distance between potable water tank and sewage holding tank
Depending on how quickly you use the water in the cistern, you may want to make provisions for maintaining the chlorine residual. You can either add a bit of beach every couple of days, after checking the chlorine residual of course, or add powdered chlorine as necessary. A residual of 1ppm should be adequate.
RE: Separation distance between potable water tank and sewage holding tank
Different excavations would definitely not be detrimental, as coloeng noted.
Do you know depth to (seasonally high) groundwater?
RE: Separation distance between potable water tank and sewage holding tank
25 feet from cistern
These are minimum horizontal distances for treatment tanks.
It doesnt spell out distance for holding tanks, but I would think it would still apply.
RE: Separation distance between potable water tank and sewage holding tank
Exceptions might be made for installation in a casing, mechanical or welded pipe and pressure testing to 150 psi or concrete encasement. state and local regulations may be more restrictive. If they cross, sewer should always be below water. I have not seen a joint trench for water and sewer ever allowed.
RE: Separation distance between potable water tank and sewage holding tank
RE: Separation distance between potable water tank and sewage holding tank
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I think that 50 feet is typical.
The local agency having jurisdiction is the organization that will provide you with the requirements.
Incidentally, one would doubt that you can bury a plastic tank unless you put it in a vault. Most tanks are designed to hold water and are not structurally designed for exterior loads.
RE: Separation distance between potable water tank and sewage holding tank