SPANC - what to expect

[Anton]

Hi

Any tales to tell about the SPANC inspection?  We've not had ours yet, but it will take place shortly, which prompted my posting on the forum.

We're a bit concerned as we have an old septic tank (no idea when it was installed but definitely pre-1970's).  Saying that, we never had any problems with it in the 7 years we've lived here. Never emptied it or anything.

Does anyone have any experience of having to replace their septic tank or do remedial work after the SPANC engineer's inspection?  We're just trying to brace ourselves for the possibility of having to do a load of work on it......

Please share if you have any experiences  - both the good and the bad.  

Thanks

Anton

 

[Nick Trollope]

I think that the worst they can do is to tell you to replace it. I don't think that they can actually require you to do it. However, some DDE's are refusing all applications for works, regardless of size, unless sanitary facilities are up to date.

 

[Patf]

We had a fosse inspection in our last house, around May last year. Like you, we had no idea of the age, never emptied it in 5 yrs, weren't even sure where it was.All we knew was that the house was on a steep slope, and the outflow poured down this slope, but onto land which belonged to us. The report we received said that the outflow was not really satisfactory, debouchement too close to the house, but as it emptied onto our own land there's no need to change it. The report did recommend emptying I think annually , but otherwise leave as it is for the mo'. Don't have the report now as we gave it to the new owners. I think the only thing they can be fussy about is whether your discharge is polluting the water system of neighbours. On the other hand, the system we have now will definitely have to be replaced as there's no proper fosse and goodness only knows where the poos and wees go.They should be coming to inspect soon. Pat.

[maude]

Had our inspection 2 weeks ago,for which we are being billed 45euros for the pleasure in all the village.Just had the report Friday last.Present fosse emptied 3 years ago just after we moved in.The report says it is not big enough,and the filter bed to be replaced and or refurbished.The seperate  prefilter under3 feet of soil and gravel also has to be replaced and in any case,the pozzolanic medium has to be pressure washed 3 monthly and replaced every 2 years.Seems like another revolution is due to start with the locals-they are all up in arms.Public meeting soon for all the class1 failures  like our report implies.I have heard rumblings about the possibility of some form of financial assistance!Will believe that when it happens.The man from the "ministry" said that to go onto mains drainage(non planned or likely) would cost each resident an anual bill of 8 to 9 euros per cu,meter of water consumed as read from the water meter,plus the water cost.This would give us an additional bill of 800-900 euros annually.

Which is why the local French have no interest whatsoever in mains drainage.They much prefer to either pee in the garden,or flush it into the next field or neighbours garden.It will be interesting in the near future.We have been told by the local Water inspection company that the report has to be made available to Notaires in the event of selling up.Alors,donc,mais oui!    Maude