Septic heat loss???

[Pete Morici]

I recently had my septic pumped. I told the gentleman that I wanted to install a riser so we didn't have to dig up the lids every time we pumped.

He said that it wasn't a good idea in cold climates because of the heat loss. He argued that the bacteria "slowed down" if the tank didn't maintain temperature.

Am I nuts? I haven't heard this before. Is he right?

[COLE_Jeff]

Looks like an opportunity for someone to make an insulated lid and riser system. I know up here in Northern Wisconsin the septic tank lid is the last place to accumulate snow and the first place to lose it. There is certainly heat loss through the lid - especially plastic lids.

I routinely insulate my system with straw prior to winter to keep the system from freezing in case we have a winter without much snow cover. Warmth does also promote bacterial growth.

[Pete Morici]

It would seem to me that the colder the system, the slower the bacteria works or multiplies. It would also seem that the colder the septic water gets the slower the bacteria gets at a cellular level. Isn't that why food lasts longer in the refrigerator and longer still in a freezer? If that's the case, then I would conclude that septic solids in colder climates break down more slowly and they would require pumping more often.

I wonder if in really cold weather like northern Minnesota, Alaska and upper Canada that the septic tanks are insulated - at least around the sides and on top?

[COLE_Jeff]

When I installed my system I put 2" of styrofoam insulation over the top of the tank and inlet pipes before backfilling.