Most village houses in the New Territories and outlying islands use a septic tank to handle household sewage. This is a standalone treatment system, unlike urban buildings that connect to public sewers where you barely notice it. Once a septic tank overflows, it not only creates hygiene and environmental problems, but can also affect the surrounding groundwater and neighbours.
5 Common Signs of a Septic Tank Overflow
- Drainage at your home's outlets (kitchen, toilet) is noticeably slower, or even backs up.
- The ground in the garden or near the septic tank becomes damp, sinks, or pools with water.
- There is a persistent foul smell in the air, especially noticeable after rain.
- There is a clear increase in mosquitoes and flies around the septic tank.
- Unusual sounds after flushing, or the toilet water level rises abnormally.
How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Cleaned?
For a typical household, we recommend cleaning the septic tank once every six months to a year. The actual frequency depends on the number of residents, the tank's capacity, and how it is used. For village houses that are rented out long-term or have more occupants, we recommend shortening the cleaning cycle to once every six months to reduce the risk of overflow.
Why Use a Licensed Company for Cleaning?
Septic tank sludge is a regulated residential liquid waste, and the company handling it must be registered with the Drainage Services Department (DSD) (you can check the public list on the DSD's official website) to be legally qualified to dispose of it. Using an unlicensed "neighbourhood-price" company risks causing bigger problems from improper handling, and may even affect the owner's own legal liability.
Motion Waste Management Limited (DSD registration number P0038) has specialised in septic tank pumping services since 1992, serving village houses across Hong Kong. We can arrange the right vehicle based on your septic tank's capacity, and we also welcome enquiries about half-yearly or yearly regular maintenance arrangements, sparing you the hassle of finding someone on short notice each time.