Fosse Septique- or who needs a lawn anyway?

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                                                                     Do  I really need a lawn? 


 If you are going to buy or sell a property in France it is very likely that the fosse that is already there will not conform.

If you decide to put your home up for sale, you will need to provide any buyers with a certificate of compliance. The certificate is issued by the SPANC (very unfortunate name, or you could say Service Public de l'Assainissement Non-Collectif) and must be no more than three years old. 

Everyone says the same things, especially the people that are trying to sell the property to you - " well it works fine" - yes,  but does it conform?. 

The good news is that if it does not conform when you buy it, it gives you some bargaining power on the price of the property and you have 12 months after you buy to get it sorted. 

Who do I need to contact to replace my Fosse?

SPANC (it's that word again). They will visit, they are very charming and chatty but they will shake their heads and say "non". They will then carry out soil tests, send you a report (that you have to pay for) and recommend a system for your property. 

What do I need to do?

You will need to complete a Demande d’Installation d’un Dispositif d’Assainissement Non-Collectif’ application form. 

How often will it need emptying?

Depends on how much you are there. If it's a holiday home then not very often. You can get a local company who turns up with a big lorry and a large hoover that sucks the sludge out( really needs doing when its about 60% full of sludge).

You should be contacted by the Mairie every 4 years for SPANC (there it is again) to visit and check everything is ok. 

What are the dos and don'ts for Fosse Septics?

You have to be very strict with your family and  guests. Put signs up telling them that the only thing that can be put in the toilet is toilet paper. 

Be careful if you have been using things like paintbrush cleaners.

 Anything with bleach is a no no as it kills all the bacteria in the system. Apparently, years ago to activate a new fosse they would throw a dead rat in!!. 

Use a treatment to maintain the  bacteria levels in the tank - Epacyl is a good one


Use someone that has been recommended to you for the installation, (they are all known by the SPANC people (I'll stop I promise!), so they can recommend someone as well. They basically turn up with a digger and dig very big holes.

It is expensive, creates a lot of mess and they are not pretty but you can sit back and relax and know that you are ok for at least 10 years (that's how long it's guaranteed for).  

Make sure you get a service contract with the company that provide your fosse in case there are any issues. 
France is  obsessed with paperwork, so (as with anything here) make sure you keep all of the paper work. 




Our new Fosse going in, good job we are not planning on having a cricket match in the near future. 

                                    Good luck and don't fall down any holes!


Useful link:

Le Service Public d'Assainissement Non Collectif (SPANC) - Portail interministériel sur l'assainissement non collectif (developpement-durable.gouv.fr)




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