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sys1=[[Single Pit System|1]]|
sys2=[[Waterless System with Alternating Pits|2]]|
sys3=[[Pour Flush Pit System with Twin Pitswithout Sludge Production|3]]|
sys4=[[Waterless System with Urine Diversion|4]]|
sys5=[[Blackwater Treatment Biogas System with Infiltration|5]]|
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sys7=|
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sys9=|
pic=Soak-pit.png|
ApplHousehold=XX|
ManShared=XX|
ManPublic=|
Input1=Effluent |Input2=Greywater |Input3=Urine | Input4= Anal Cleansing Water|Input5=Stored Urine|Output1=- Stored Urine |Output2= Anal Cleansing Water | Output3= | Output4= | Output5=
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|[[Image:Soak-pit.png |right|500px]]
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[[Image:Icon_soak_pit.png |right|80px]]
'''A Soak Pitsoak pit, also known as a soakaway or leach pit, is a covered, porous-walled chamber that allows water to slowly soak into the ground. Pre-settled effluent from a Collection and Storage/Treatment or (Semi-) Centralized Treatment technology is discharged to the underground chamber from where which it infiltrates into the surrounding soil.'''
===Design Considerations===
The soak pit should be between 1.5 and 4 m deep, but as a rule of thumb, never less than 2 m above the groundwater table. It should be located at a safe distance from a drinking water source (ideally more than 30 m). The soak pit should be kept
away from high-traffic areas so that the soil above and around it is not compacted. It can be left empty and lined with a porous material to provide support and prevent collapse, or left unlined and filled with coarse rocks and gravel. The rocks and gravel will prevent the walls from collapsing, but will still provide adequate space for the wastewater. In both cases, a layer of sand and fine gravel should be spread across the bottom to help disperse the flow. To allow for future access, a removable (preferably concrete) lid should be used to seal the pit until it needs to be maintained.
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{{procontable | pro=
- Can be built and repaired with locally available materials. <br> - Technique simple to apply for all users <br>- Small land area required. <br> - Low capital cost; low and operating cost. <br> - Can be built and maintained with locally available materials. <br> - Simple technique for all users. costs | con=- Pretreatment Primary treatment is required to prevent clogging, although eventual clogging is inevitable. <br> - May negatively affect soil and groundwater properties.
}}
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===Appropriateness===
A soak pit does not provide adequate treatment for raw wastewater and the pit will quickly clog. It should be used for discharging pre-settled blackwater or greywater. Soak pits are appropriate for rural and peri-urban settlements. They depend on soil with a sufficient absorptive capacity. They are not appropriate for areas prone to flooding or that have high groundwater tables.
==Adequacy== A Soak Pit does not provide adequate treatment for raw wastewater and the pit will clog quickly. A Soak Pit should be used for discharging presettled blackwater or greywater. Soak pits are appropriate for rural and peri-urban settlements. They depend on soil with a sufficient absorptive capacity. They are not appropriate for areas that are prone to flooding or have high groundwater tables. ==Health Aspects/Acceptance=== As long as the Soak Pit soak pit is not used for raw sewage, and as long as the previous Collection and Storage/Treatment technology is functioning well, health concerns are minimal. The technology is located underground and , thus, humans and animals should have no contact with the effluent. It is important however, that the Soak Pit is located a safe distance from a drinking water source (ideally 30m). Since the Soak Pit soak pit is odourless and not visible, it should be accepted by even the most sensitive communities. ==Maintenance== A well-sized Soak Pit should last between 3 and 5 years without maintenance. To extend the life of a Soak Pit, care should be taken to ensure that the effluent has been clarified and/or filtered well to prevent excessive build up of solids. The Soak Pit should be kept away from high-traffic areas so that the soil above and around it is not compacted. When the performance of the Soak Pit deteriorates, the material inside the soak pit can be excavated and refilled. To allow for future access, a removable (preferably concrete) lid should be used to seal the pit until it needs to be maintained.
===Operation & Maintenance=== A well-sized soak pit should last between 3 and 5 years without maintenance. To extend the life of a soak pit, care should be taken to ensure that the effluent has been clarified and/ or filtered to prevent the excessive build-up of solids. Particles and biomass will eventually clog the pit and it will need to be cleaned or moved. When the performance of the soak pit deteriorates, the material inside the soak pit can be excavated and refilled.
===Field experiences===
The following project(s) utilize soak pits.
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|[[Image:project 644.jpg |thumb|center|140px|<font size="2"><center>[http://rsr.akvo.org/project/644/ RSR Project 644]<br>Rwenzori Integrated School WASH Project</center></font>|link=http://rsr.akvo.org/project/644/ ]]
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===References===* Elizabeth Tilley etAhrens, B.al (20082005). [httphttps://www.eawagmtu.chedu/organisationpeacecorps/abteilungenprograms/sandeccivil/publikationenpdfs/publications_sesp/downloads_sesp/compendium_highbrooke-ahrens-thesis-final.pdf Compendium A Comparison of Sanitation Systems Wash Area and Technologies] ([httpSoak Pit Construction://www.eawag.ch/organisation/abteilungen/sandec/publikationen/publications_sesp/downloads_sesp/compendium_low.pdf low res version]). Department The Changing Nature of Water Urban, Rural, and Sanitation Peri-Urban Linkages in Development Countries ([http://wwwSikasso, Mali].sandecPeace Corps, US.ch/ Sandec]) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag). (Provides a full overview of sanitation systems.Detailed construction instructions)
* AhrensMara, BD. D. (20051996). A Comparison of Wash Area and Soak Pit Construction: The Changing Nature of Urban, Rural, and PeriLow-Cost Urban Linkages in SikassoSanitation. Wiley, Mali. Peace CorpChichester, USAUK. Available: http://wwwpp.cee63-65.mtu.edu/peacecorps/reports/Brooke(Book; Dimensioning calculations)
*Ahrens_Final_Report.pdf Oxfam (Detailed construction instructions2008). [https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/septic-tank-guidelines-126711/ Septic Tank Guidelines]. Technical Brief. Oxfam GB, Oxford, UK. p. 4.
* MaraPolprasert, DDC. and Rajput, V. S. (19961982). Low[https://www.susana.org/en/knowledge-hub/resources-and-Cost Urban publications/library/details/2995 Environmental SanitationReviews. Septic Tank and Septic Systems]. WileyEnvironmental Sanitation Information Center, AIT, ChichesterBangkok, UKTH. pp 63–65. (Dimensioning calculations)31-58.
