{"id":39601,"date":"2026-09-17T20:16:32","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T17:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reoveemahutid.ee\/?p=39601"},"modified":"2026-09-17T20:19:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T17:19:43","slug":"5m3-or-10m3-holding-tank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reoveemahutid.ee\/en\/5m3-or-10m3-holding-tank\/","title":{"rendered":"5 m\u00b3 or 10 m\u00b3 sewage holding tank: which size should you choose?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You have settled on a sewage holding tank (reoveemahuti<\/em>; in legal texts reovee kogumismahuti<\/em>) and the shortlist is down to two volumes. A holding tank only stores wastewater until a tanker pumps it out (purgimine<\/em>) \u2014 no treatment, no outlet; UK readers may know such a sealed tank as a cesspool or cesspit. So the 5 m\u00b3 vs 10 m\u00b3 holding tank decision does not change how much wastewater you pay to have removed. It changes how often the tanker comes, whether one visit empties the tank, and how much ground and transport the tank needs. The comparison below uses Vesmaco’s own model data.<\/p>\n

The two sizes side by side: Vesmaco model data<\/h2>\n

Vesmaco makes each volume in two diameters, so the choice is really among four horizontal fibreglass (GRP) tanks. Values as displayed in the model table<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\nMK-5 D1100<\/th>\nMK-5 D1400<\/th>\nMK-10 D1400<\/th>\nMK-10 D1600<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Diameter<\/td>\n1100 mm<\/td>\n1400 mm<\/td>\n1400 mm<\/td>\n1600 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Length (about)<\/td>\n5.7 m<\/td>\n3.6 m<\/td>\n6.7 m<\/td>\n5.3 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n300 kg<\/td>\n290 kg<\/td>\n500 kg<\/td>\n480 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Safety zone on a green area*<\/td>\n7.7 \u00d7 3.1 m<\/td>\n5.6 \u00d7 3.4 m<\/td>\n8.7 \u00d7 3.4 m<\/td>\n7.3 \u00d7 3.6 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

*Vesmaco’s installation guide: on a green area, accidental driving over the tank must be excluded in a zone 1 m larger than the tank in every direction \u2014 here (length + 2 m) \u00d7 (diameter + 2 m). Lengths are approximate, so for exact dimensions check the drawing for your model.<\/p>\n

Doubling the volume does not double the tank: the MK-10 D1600 is about 1.7 m longer than the MK-5 D1400, 200 mm larger in diameter and 190 kg heavier, while the MK-10 D1400 keeps the 5 m\u00b3 diameter and adds about 3.1 m of length. The site lists one base kit for the whole range (tank, emptying pipe, plastic cover, documents); options are marked on the order drawing, and the drawings for these four models (rev. B, 15.08.2025) carry the same option list, including a maximum inlet depth of 1500 mm. For diameter families and reading the drawing, see Sewage holding tank dimensions and drawings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The same household, two emptying rhythms<\/h2>\n

The method, explained in full in What size sewage holding tank do you need?<\/a>:<\/p>\n

days between emptyings = usable volume (L) \u00f7 (persons \u00d7 litres per person per day)<\/code> emptyings per year = 365 \u00d7 occupancy share \u00f7 days<\/code><\/p>\n

Assumptions: the ministry guide’s planning range of 100\u2013150 L of wastewater per person per day (your own water-meter data is better); permanent occupancy (share = 1); usable volume = nominal volume, although the real alarm level leaves a reserve, so the usable volume is somewhat below the nominal volume \u2014 check the drawing and the alarm height for your model.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Household<\/th>\nWastewater per day<\/th>\n5 m\u00b3: days \u00b7 visits\/year<\/th>\n10 m\u00b3: days \u00b7 visits\/year<\/th>\nRemoved per year, either tank<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2 people<\/td>\n200\u2013300 L<\/td>\n17\u201325 \u00b7 15\u201322<\/td>\n33\u201350 \u00b7 7\u201311<\/td>\n73\u2013110 m\u00b3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4 people<\/td>\n400\u2013600 L<\/td>\n8\u201312.5 \u00b7 29\u201344<\/td>\n17\u201325 \u00b7 15\u201322<\/td>\n146\u2013219 m\u00b3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6 people<\/td>\n600\u2013900 L<\/td>\n5.5\u20138 \u00b7 44\u201366<\/td>\n11\u201317 \u00b7 22\u201333<\/td>\n219\u2013329 m\u00b3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

The last column is the one to remember: a bigger tank does not remove a litre less \u2014 it halves the number of visits. The ministry guide’s benchmark for a four-person family living permanently is at least 5 m\u00b3, emptied about once a week \u2014 a minimum, not a target. With 10 m\u00b3 the same family sees the tanker about every 17\u201325 days. More examples: How often should a sewage holding tank be emptied?<\/a><\/p>\n

One situation has a legal floor.<\/strong> If you are in a sewage collection area (reoveekogumisala<\/em>) of 2000 population equivalents or more and cannot connect because public sewerage is missing, the water company must organise emptying (purgimisteenus<\/em>) on request, and the Public Water Supply and Sewerage Act (\u00dcVVKS<\/em>) \u00a7 47(7)<\/a> (English translation<\/a>; only the Estonian text has legal force) requires a leak-tight tank holding at least two weeks’ wastewater: on the planning range 2.8\u20134.2 m\u00b3 for two people, 5.6\u20138.4 m\u00b3 for four and 8.4\u201312.6 m\u00b3 for six, so 5 m\u00b3 is too small for four. The rule is explained in full in What size sewage holding tank do you need?<\/a>; elsewhere, your municipality’s on-site wastewater rules (reovee kohtk\u00e4itluse ja \u00e4raveo eeskiri<\/em>, Water Act \u00a7 104(7)) may set their own requirements \u2014 check them before ordering.<\/p>\n

Will one tanker visit empty it?<\/h2>\n

The ministry guide notes that small tankers hold 4\u20135 m\u00b3 and the largest about 10 m\u00b3, and advises checking what is available locally.<\/p>\n