Is a Cesspool the Same as a Septic System? Nope. And Here's Why.

Learn the costs, benefits, and differences between a cesspool and a septic system

Buying a new home? Or just looking to upgrade your property? If so, you’ll want to think about sewage treatment, especially if you’re choosing between a cesspool and a septic system. Though they serve the same purpose, cesspools and septic systems are totally different. They affect your property value in different ways. They also have different maintenance costs and environmental impacts. And in some regions, one is legal, but the other is not. Curious to learn more? Here’s a full breakdown of cesspools and septic systems. Keep reading to learn how they’re different, and how to decide which option is right for you.

Things You Should Know

  • A cesspool is an underground concrete tank that holds human waste. The walls are perforated to allow wastewater to leak into the surrounding soil.
  • A septic system safely handles human waste by treating wastewater and distributing it over a large area. It’s much more environmentally friendly than a cesspool.
  • Cesspools are costly to own and bad for the environment. They contaminate nearby soil and must be pumped often to prevent sewage and smells from escaping.
  • A septic system prevents soil contamination by eliminating harmful bacteria and viruses from wastewater. Septic systems are widely legal, but cesspools are not.
Section 1 of 3:

Cesspools vs. Septic Systems

  1. Image titled Unclog Your Septic Tank Step 1
    1
    A cesspool is an underground concrete tank that holds human waste. The concrete walls are perforated to allow liquid waste to leak into the surrounding soil, while solid waste slowly accumulates at the bottom. Since the liquid waste leaks directly into the surrounding environment, cesspools often contaminate groundwater and nearby soil.
    • Cesspools need to be pumped frequently to prevent perforations in the concrete from becoming blocked by solid waste.[1]
    • Most cesspools eventually need to be replaced as the surrounding soil becomes saturated with wastewater. Otherwise, the water will begin pooling at the surface above the soil.
  2. 2
    A septic system safely contains and eliminates human waste. The system works by collecting waste in an underground septic tank, where solid waste settles at the bottom. Wastewater is then separated and sent to a series of perforated pipes, which slowly distribute the wastewater over a large land area called a “drainfield.” This process minimizes soil contamination, making septic tanks an eco-friendly alternative to cesspools.[2]
    • A septic system is a long-term solution to handling human waste. Though it still needs to be pumped every 2-5 years, the tank itself does not need to be replaced if it’s installed and maintained correctly.[3]
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Section 2 of 3:

Drawbacks of Cesspools

  1. Image titled Unclog Your Septic Tank Step 2
    1
    Cesspools are horrible for the environment. Unlike septic tanks, cesspools don’t treat waste. Instead, they leak wastewater directly into the surrounding soil.[4] This contaminates the soil and nearby groundwater. Wastewater can contaminate groundwater with coliform bacteria like E. coli.
    • Consuming contaminated groundwater can cause you to develop vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
  2. 2
    Cesspools are difficult and expensive to maintain. They need to be pumped several times a year, which can add up to thousands of dollars.[5] And if they’re not pumped regularly, waste will begin to pile up and blocks the pipes, causing smells and raw sewage to escape.
    • Cesspools can lower the value of your home due to the cost of maintaining or replacing them. Given the choice, most buyers prefer a home with a septic system or sewer access.[6]
  3. 3
    Cesspools are illegal in some places. In the United States, cesspools designed for multiple households, such as apartment buildings or multifamily homes, are illegal nationwide.[7] As for single-family homes, some states don’t even allow new cesspools to be built on residential properties.[8] Other states, like New Jersey, require homeowners to replace cesspools with septic systems before selling their property to someone else.[9]
    • Given all the legal headaches surrounding cesspools, you might decide they’re simply not worth it.
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Section 3 of 3:

Benefits of Septic Systems

  1. Image titled Construct a Small Septic System Step 27
    1
    Septic systems treat wastewater and safely release it into the soil. The septic tank separates wastewater from raw sewage and distributes it over a drainfield via a series of pipes. This process eliminates harmful pathogens, making septic systems much better for the environment than cesspools.[10]
    • A septic system keeps groundwater free of E. coli and other bacteria that cause severe illness in humans and animals.
  2. 2
    Septic systems are more affordable to maintain. They need to be pumped less often than cesspools, which can save you thousands of dollars a year.[11] They also don’t need to be replaced if they’re well-maintained. Whereas cesspools eventually become unusable as the soil around them becomes saturated, a septic system prevents this problem by distributing waste over a wide area.
    • A septic tank will need to be pumped more often depending on use, such as if it supports a multi-person household. However, it’ll still need less frequent pumping than a cesspool for the same household size.
  3. Image titled Find Your Septic Tank Step 4
    3
    A good septic system protects your property value. A working septic system keeps the soil on your property—and possibly nearby property—clean and uncontaminated. It also prevents contamination of nearby water sources, like streams and lakes. When the time comes to sell your home or property, the buyer will be pleased to learn that your septic system is in good working order, since they will not have to spend extra money fixing it.[12]
    • Septic systems still require regular maintenance. Besides pumping, the owner should take care not to use too much water, since this could flood the tank. Too much water could flood the drainfield, causing a stinky mess.[13]
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References

  1. ↑ https://cms3.revize.com/revize/gilaaz/2015WasteWater/Cesspool%20Webpage%20Article%20Final%202011-03-31%20to%20Lollman%208-16.pdf
  2. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/septic/how-septic-systems-work
  3. ↑ https://cms3.revize.com/revize/gilaaz/2015WasteWater/Cesspool%20Webpage%20Article%20Final%202011-03-31%20to%20Lollman%208-16.pdf
  4. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/uic/large-capacity-cesspools#what_cesspool
  5. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cesspool/
  6. ↑ https://cms3.revize.com/revize/gilaaz/2015WasteWater/Cesspool%20Webpage%20Article%20Final%202011-03-31%20to%20Lollman%208-16.pdf
  7. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/uic/large-capacity-cesspools
  8. ↑ https://cms3.revize.com/revize/gilaaz/2015WasteWater/Cesspool%20Webpage%20Article%20Final%202011-03-31%20to%20Lollman%208-16.pdf
  9. ↑ https://www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/pdf/tnef2.pdf
  1. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/septic/how-septic-systems-work
  2. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cesspool/
  3. ↑ https://www.dep.pa.gov/OurCommonWealth/pages/Article.aspx?post=32
  4. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/septic/how-care-your-septic-system

About This Article

Johnathan Fuentes
Co-authored by:
Johnathan Fuentes
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Johnathan Fuentes. Johnathan Fuentes is a writer based in the New York City region. His interests as a writer include space exploration, science education, immigration, Latinx cultures, LGBTQ+ issues, and long-form journalism. He is also an avid hiker and has backpacked in Alaska and Newfoundland, Canada. A son of Cuban immigrants, he is bilingual in English and Spanish. Prior to joining wikiHow, he worked in academic publishing and was a freelance writer for science websites. He graduated from Columbia University in 2021, where he studied nonfiction writing and wrote for the student newspaper. He is currently counting down the seconds until the release of Kerbal Space Program 2 in 2023—a game that will almost certainly take up what little free time he has.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: January 2, 2023
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Categories: Home Improvements
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