Cyprus-Forum.com

[Cyprus4MeSoon]

Hi, A bit of a sensitive subject and I hope I can get some serious answers, though I appreciate that I am leaving myself wide open for some wise cracks

I have been told by my developer that we will have a Septic Tank and a Absorbing Tank.
With the above configuration, can you flush paper down the toilet rather than using bins? Now I know that it is the way of life in Cyprus and I do not wish to disrespect anyone, but we are not used to this. I have been told so many conflicting stories that I am getting totally confused

Some people have told me that if the developer uses UK sewage pipes rather than Greek then we will have no problem. When I asked our developer about this, they said that there was no such thing as Greek or UK pipes!

Though to some, not a huge problem, I would just like to know if we have options.

Hope someone can clarify this for me.

[Shipwreck]

Hi Wendy,

I will jump right in it, so to speak!

Yes you casn flush paper BUT it depends on how well the developer has constructed the system. 15 years here and the only problem was where the developer had left the wooden shuttering in the manhole inspection sytem!

[Cyprus4MeSoon]

Hi Shipwreck,

Thank you for that. Do I assume that you were able to simply remove the shuttering from the Manhole and everything was fine! Also, could you tell me how often do you need to empty the Septic Tank?

I have asked the developer to tell me what size pipe will be used from toilet to Septic Tank, (they probably think I am crazy!) to find out if it is the same size as used in the UK, as I thought this would be the area that would cause the problem! Not heard from them yet, but in your opinion, if they came back saying 100mm dia as the UK, would this be seen as problem solved, or is there anything else I should be asking to ensure that I can flush paper.

Sorry for asking more questions

Many thanks.

[cyprusgrump]

If the system is properly constructed I believe you should be able to flush paper… We have ‘Cypriot’ pipes and have been flushing paper for the past three years without any problems.

Actually, the pipes are the same as in the UK – it is the joints that differ. Here they tend to make the junctions out of brick and cement – if they are not properly finished things can get caught up and cause a blockage. In the UK the joints are made of plastic – there is a company here that sells them too.

[devil]

It depends! It is not the septic tank per se that causes the problem but the inspection traps. If they are smoothly plastered, then there should be no problem with degradable toilet paper. If you use "wetties", then you will be in the s**t, literally and figuratively, because they do not degrade and, in time, your septic tank will no longer be septic.

Never put anything down the toilet other than body waste and degradable toilet paper. Other than wetties, other verboten articles include cotton buds, make-up wipes, wrapping of any nature. Be equally careful with the kitchen sink. Small food residues are OK but never put chip-pan oil down the sink. Clean drained frying pans with plenty of washing-up detergent, to ensure the residual oil is well-emulsified. Do not put tea-leaves or coffee grounds down the sink. Do not use a kitchen waste disposal unit as that will overload the degradation process.

IOW, be reasonable and it will be many years before the tank will need evacuating (if ever).

Tip (no pun intended): if you have a garden, make a compost heap and put all your kitchen waste, including tea-leaves and coffee grounds on that. (Exceptions: if you grow potatoes, do not put peelings on it and I'm cautious about citrus fruit because the peel is oily and may slow down decomposition.)

[Cyprus4MeSoon]

Thank you Shipwreck, Cyprusgrump and Devil
The information you have all given has been very helpful and very much appreciated. I have spoken to our developer, and hopefully everything will be OK!

Thanks again

[Get Real!]

Ensure your plumber uses 4" pipes throughout.

For the time being all waste should end up in a septic "tank"; a 10..12m hole in the ground filled right up to the top with concrete cylinders that form a wall around the hole, but an additional pipe must leave just prior to the septic tanks entry and go all the way to the edge of your plot near the pavement for future mains use.

Here's a typical layout in Cyprus...

[Cyprus4MeSoon]

Hi Get Real,

Thank you very much for the information, that helps a great deal. I am going to first look at our plans (though I dont remember any sizing given on them for the sewage pipes) and then contact our developer to ensure that we get 4" pipes used throughout. The developers seem very good, and having contacted them this morning, said that we would have no problem, but all these questions have come about, because my sister has just moved into her villa in Giolou, and even though she asked to be able to flush toilet paper, she cannot!!! It flushes from toilet, but then gets stuck midway before it gets to Septic Tank. She at the moment is then having to either clear from a manhole or hose to ensure it goes all the way. Hope you understand that

She has been told it is because she has got Greek pipes (this was from someone in her village) and needs to have them changed to UK pipes, at a cost of approx CYP1000.00!

This started me worrying about our pipework!

Many thanks again

[Get Real!]

Hi Get Real,

Thank you very much for the information, that helps a great deal. I am going to first look at our plans (though I dont remember any sizing given on them for the sewage pipes) and then contact our developer to ensure that we get 4" pipes used throughout. The developers seem very good, and having contacted them this morning, said that we would have no problem, but all these questions have come about, because my sister has just moved into her villa in Giolou, and even though she asked to be able to flush toilet paper, she cannot!!! It flushes from toilet, but then gets stuck midway before it gets to Septic Tank. She at the moment is then having to either clear from a manhole or hose to ensure it goes all the way. Hope you understand that

She has been told it is because she has got Greek pipes (this was from someone in her village) and needs to have them changed to UK pipes, at a cost of approx CYP1000.00!

This started me worrying about our pipework!

Many thanks again

Sorry, in my first sketch I omitted the septic tank! (which has three compartments for breaking down waste) Use this sketch instead...

Btw, pipes are all about diameter not country of origin so your sister either has smaller diameter pipes or some obstruction jamming traffic!
Obstruction can be caused by grass roots, tree roots, or bad workmanship.

[Bill]

Oh I'm so glad I've been connected to the main sewerage for the last 8 or so years ~~ and been flushing all and sundry down the loo.

Such a relief to not have to empty the soiled toilet paper bins every day .

Sadly we still get the odd shout from the guest toilet when Cypriot friends visit asking for the bin so they can dispose of the tissues ~ even though we have told them to flush ~ old habits eh

Bill