h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have a septic tank in my house in Spain. I was told by the builder 13 years ago that I would 'never' need to empty it. There is no obvious way in (by that I mean no hatch or manhole) the only evidence that there is a septic tank is a small circular chimney (about 12" across) that has a very solid floor and is about 30" deep sticking up from the ground where the obvious soak away is. The bottom of the chimney is never wet and never smells. I am worried that one day lots of horrible smelly stuff will start to back up in to the toilet/bath/sink etc. Is there such a beast as a 'non emptying' septic tank OR is it more likely that it is a large tank that will not need emptying for 15+ years? If it is the latter then how will it be emptied given I can not see any obvious way in? Any answers from Septic Tank Gurus welcome.

There 'must' be a soakaway, even if the walls are somehow perforated. Your tank could be operating very efficiently and all solids are being broken down to particualte sizes less than your surrounding soil. Maybe.

Then again, maybe your 'tank' is not indeed connected to your system and all your sewage is actually being piped straight into the nearest babbling brook. Builders eh?

Trout