- Cost
That includes the Cost of installation and lifetime maintenance. A biodigester is small and cheaper than a septic tank to handle a similar population. A good example is the 1.4 m3 Biodigester sold by Bio Tank Africa that retails for KES 39,500, whereas a septic tank to handle the same population of 10-20 users will send you back 100k plus today.
Septic tanks get full, and this comes with an extra cost of always emptying it up every 2-5 years, whereas a well-built biodigester is a one-time solution, hence saving you money in installation and maintenance.
- A Biodigester has little to zero Oduor, but a septic tank, especially when full or badly maintained, can be a nightmare
- Biodigesters use less space compared to a Septic tank. Hence, if you are working on limited space, especially in Kenya, where we are almost always building in 50*100 plots that are very small in size, a biodigester is what is recommended.
- A biodigester is An Enclosed system with fewer chances of leakage or contamination, while a Septic Tank, if cracked or poorly maintained, can pose serious health and environmental risks.
- Quick to install compared to a septic system. Most biodigesters are sold in either Plastic or precast forms; both options are available here in Bio Tank Africa.This will only take a day’s work to fully install and use, as long as the hole and soak pits are ready, whereas a septic tank will be a 1-week job if lucky.
- If you happen to have a lawn or some kitchen garden, you can use your biodigester effluent for irrigation, whereas a septic tank effluent is not healthy and appropriate for this.
All these are some of the reasons why I endorse and recommend a biodigester over a septic Tank.
Author: Miano Muthii
