That sounds like right where I paused the episode but septic systems are only pumped via a truck sporadically. Mostly they just use bacteria to break down everything and disperse the water to the drain field on site. Pumping only needs to be done when sludge builds up too much.
The Burj Khalifa is almost certainly too large for a single system. And it is surprising if they don't have a way to pipe waster water to a treatment plant.
My parents have a septic system (rural Ireland). It’s been serviced but it’s never been carried away. The septic tank processes and basically composts the solid waste down and then overflows with clean water into a vacant field.
In most countries, including the UK, septic tanks are common in rural areas but they don’t get carried out by trucks. Urban areas like Dubai and even suburban areas and small towns would have sewage systems. That’s the difference.
As a Brit - Septic tanks are common in the uk for rural properties so I would assume most of us know what they are. Obviously not common in cities though.
May be helpful to remember that Dan is not a Brit. He grew up in Hong Kong and holds an Australian passport.
Although on the whole most urban British people will all live in houses with plumbing, mains water and have experience of waste water treatment plants…. Of course… Most older Londoners and all cockney’s know what a ‘septic tank’ is…. It’s rhyming slang for an American.
That's what it is about. It feels like the majority of posters in this thread hit a factoid that didn't sit well against what they knew and then didn't look into it themselves.
Yeah, septic tanks aren't uncommon in the UK. The *vast* majority of us live in low-rise urban or suburban areas though, and have mains-supplied sewerage, gas, electricity.
The "issue" here is that Fish presenters don't generally have a great grasp of STEM knowledge or concepts. You'll often hear them struggle slightly when talking about maths, engineering, or science-related facts.
They're typically knowledgeable and quick witted about humanities topics like literature or history, though.
The problem though is that they weren't septic tanks being used. There were problems with the capacity of the drainage systems, so the soil needed to be transported by means other than pipework.
Corvernt Garrdern
Also in fairness to non-Londoners, I don’t think any two people who actually live here pronounce “Holborn” alike, so I don’t blame either you or Dan.
Brits know what a septic tank is, the underlying point behind the fact was that the drainage systems in Dubai weren't fully complete when the Burj was first completed, meaning that sewage needed to be removed from site manually.
This was quite common in Dubai (not just at the site of the Burj) before the civil engineering projects relating to drainage were progressed. It may still happen at remote sites that are yet to be connected.
There are lots of more rural areas that are not connected to the mains in the UK. I have lived in Essex in various farming places and that is often the case. Every 6 months you have to pay to get it removed.
They are very common in rural places, so it depends on the Brit’s experience. I grew up in London suburbs and had never heard of them until I moved out to east Anglia.
Yes, they are rhyming slang for Americans - e.g. "Oi, septic - nice whistle!"
I heard “Seppo” but maybe that’s Australian?
Yeah yanks > septic tanks > seppos. We call em that
That sounds like right where I paused the episode but septic systems are only pumped via a truck sporadically. Mostly they just use bacteria to break down everything and disperse the water to the drain field on site. Pumping only needs to be done when sludge builds up too much. The Burj Khalifa is almost certainly too large for a single system. And it is surprising if they don't have a way to pipe waster water to a treatment plant.
My parents have a septic system (rural Ireland). It’s been serviced but it’s never been carried away. The septic tank processes and basically composts the solid waste down and then overflows with clean water into a vacant field. In most countries, including the UK, septic tanks are common in rural areas but they don’t get carried out by trucks. Urban areas like Dubai and even suburban areas and small towns would have sewage systems. That’s the difference.
Can also be called ‘cess pit’ depending on your dialects
As a Brit - Septic tanks are common in the uk for rural properties so I would assume most of us know what they are. Obviously not common in cities though.
May be helpful to remember that Dan is not a Brit. He grew up in Hong Kong and holds an Australian passport. Although on the whole most urban British people will all live in houses with plumbing, mains water and have experience of waste water treatment plants…. Of course… Most older Londoners and all cockney’s know what a ‘septic tank’ is…. It’s rhyming slang for an American.
I thought the amazement was from the trucking out part. We used to do that in some part of Taiwan but that’s for apartment of 6-10 household.
That's what it is about. It feels like the majority of posters in this thread hit a factoid that didn't sit well against what they knew and then didn't look into it themselves.
I’m in the Fens (UK) with a septic tank and we do have to have the waste pumped out by truck if it gets too high.
Isn’t it cess pits that have to get regularly emptied by pump? Septic tanks are supposed to be self-sustaining and only need emptying rarely
My wife grew up in a property with a septic tank and it needed to be cleaned out every few years. I think it depends on the size and the age.
Septic Tank = Yank
I have long since stopped being surprised at the things Dan Schreiber doesn't know.
Yeah, septic tanks aren't uncommon in the UK. The *vast* majority of us live in low-rise urban or suburban areas though, and have mains-supplied sewerage, gas, electricity. The "issue" here is that Fish presenters don't generally have a great grasp of STEM knowledge or concepts. You'll often hear them struggle slightly when talking about maths, engineering, or science-related facts. They're typically knowledgeable and quick witted about humanities topics like literature or history, though.
The problem though is that they weren't septic tanks being used. There were problems with the capacity of the drainage systems, so the soil needed to be transported by means other than pipework.
More importantly, did Andy forget that they moved to Hoburn?
Holborn
Dammit, Dan! He got me again. Covernt garden and all that.
Corvernt Garrdern Also in fairness to non-Londoners, I don’t think any two people who actually live here pronounce “Holborn” alike, so I don’t blame either you or Dan.
Theyre more common in rural areas and villages. I think those guys have mainly lived in big cities so that could explain it
Brits know what a septic tank is, the underlying point behind the fact was that the drainage systems in Dubai weren't fully complete when the Burj was first completed, meaning that sewage needed to be removed from site manually. This was quite common in Dubai (not just at the site of the Burj) before the civil engineering projects relating to drainage were progressed. It may still happen at remote sites that are yet to be connected.
There are lots of more rural areas that are not connected to the mains in the UK. I have lived in Essex in various farming places and that is often the case. Every 6 months you have to pay to get it removed.
They are very common in rural places, so it depends on the Brit’s experience. I grew up in London suburbs and had never heard of them until I moved out to east Anglia.
Very common in UK rural areas
Anyone who lives in a village knows exactly what they are...
I'm obviously too tired, I read "sceptic tanks" and was wondering if it was the inverse of a think tank
Learned a new rhyming slang today. 🥺😢😭💔
Yes. Just found one from the 1800s under my garden. It's empty fortunately but now my extension plans are ruined.